The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Titus 2:1-8, “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.

2 Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good,

4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

6 Likewise urge the young men to be sensible;

7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,

8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.”

What could I possibly add to what Paul has said here? It’s so simple and down-to-earth that there is little left upon which to comment. What we can see, however, is that Paul had excellent home training. Further, he saw what many parents fail to see: namely, that a proper upbringing is the doorway to a sound, adult Christian life.

Note, too, that Paul starts with the husbands and wives. It is their responsibility to be what they want their children to be. He encourages physical labor and pure doctrine—all things that are “beyond reproach”—things that not only shame the opponents of the gospel, but that honor the LORD and the parents from whom we have come.

What a transformation our society today would experience, were we all that we ought to be! It starts, however, with you and me. Are we ready? Are we honest? Do we honor and live as our LORD has instructed us? I pray that we are. Every day brings us nearer to the hour when Jesus is coming. Scripture is being fulfilled every day! Many are still lost, and we are responsible to witness and win them.

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

Dear Grands,

2 Timothy 1:3-12, “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,

4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.

5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.

6 For this reason, I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

8 Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,

10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

11 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

12 For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

What is your foremost treasure? What do you treasure exceedingly more than anything else? Before you reply, let me note that beyond everything else, the Apostle Paul considered the LORD Jesus Christ first and foremost in his life. Christ was continually in his thoughts. He trusted nothing other than the One who had transformed his life from that of a persecutor of the Christian faith to its chief proclaimer.

What a formidable change would occur in our lives were we to put Christ foremost. Those things we fear would disappear. Christ would replace them with the glory of His promises. The things we embrace, trusting they will erase the fears and intimidations that move in upon us, will be erased from our thinking and replaced with Him by His warm, reassuring Word, the Holy Scriptures.

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

Dear Grands,

1 Timothy 3:1-10, “It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.

2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.

4 He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity

5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),

6 and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil.

7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

As a youth, did you ever receive a reprimand for doing something wrong? Did that reprimand come from someone who “manages his own household well” and keeps his own children under control? The Apostle Paul requires that those who are leaders within the church and who oversee others must themselves be above reproach.

As one who derives authority from the LORD, he must be above reproach in his marriage, in his home, and in his work, both secular and spiritual. He must be a man of faith and peace. It might well be said that a man must be a “Christian man’s man,” and a true and faithful man of confidence!

A man need not be a deacon in the church, but he must be a Christian man’s man! Such is honorable to the LORD and patterns the way for others in the faith.

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

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17, “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17 comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”

My original intention was to “breeze through” the New Testament books, giving you something of an overview of the teaching of each book. The Scriptures then say that we are responsible to yield to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, receiving and learning what He wants us to learn from the Scriptures.

The Apostle Paul informs us in this second letter to the Thessalonians that “God has chosen” from the beginning to save those who believe and trust in Him. By listening to His Word, we receive notice of the LORD’s intention for our lives. We then are responsible “to stand firm” and retain what we are taught in the Scriptures. The Bible is then our textbook. When true Christian pastors and teachers instruct us, they do so from the Bible. If any teacher moves away from Scripture in his instruction, he is a false teacher, and we are to avoid listening to and/or absorbing his teachings.

Laying claim to the LORD Jesus as our Savior and LORD, however, is clearly the teaching of the Scripture. Church membership and baptism are not saving qualities. They are valid, however, but subsequent to salvation. Following the teachings of the Scripture gives us the comfort and hope that strengthens us daily.

Spending time daily in prayer energizes our spiritual lives. The LORD hears and answers the prayers of His people. Whatever He tells you to do, do it in the confidence you have in Him.

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

Dear Grands,

2 Thessalonians 2:1-8, “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him,

2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming…”

If you’ve listened attentively to some truly reliable preachers and teachers, you could not have helped but notice how many messages relate to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. True biblical preachers believe that the times are right for our LORD’s return! So do I! At the same time, we are not to be frightened, but excited that we are nearing the time when we will meet our Savior face-to-face! I sincerely trust that you are ready.

At the same time, don’t be deceived by false preachers and teachers. Some of them would have you believe they are the only true messengers of God, while they clearly deny the LORD’s teachings in Scripture. “The mystery of lawlessness is already at work!” Satan is using these false witnesses to confuse people! There are many who oppose the LORD and scramble His Word. Don’t be deceived! Be vigilant! Trust the Scriptures! The LORD is coming! Be prepared!

At the same time, there are young believers who sense that something is happening, and they have friends who need to know Him! You and I, who know Him, have been saved that we might share Him with others. Pray for your pastor and all those who teach His Word in truth! The day is coming! May we all be ready! God bless you!

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