The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:12-17, “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

14 And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

What supreme encouragement to know that one has been “chosen of God”! Just think of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and a select few of the numerous saints in Scripture. Indeed, is there anything more encouraging than that?

Now, it remains only for us to demonstrate a “heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” We show compassion when we have sympathy for the sufferings of others. Kindness speaks of our “usefulness to others”; humility is a “modest view of one’s own value or importance.” Gentleness speaks of our being “mild-mannered,” and patience is the capacity to tolerate delay.

Overall, however, is our ability to demonstrate Christlikeness. Whatever the difficulties surrounding others, we are thrust into the situation to show the love and value of Christ to others. And for this, we ever and always give thanks to Almighty God!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom