The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Peter 2:13-19, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,

14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.

15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.

16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.

17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable.

19 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

Did the first 10 verses of the passage above give you a start? Maybe we need to repeat them: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution…” No, Peter is not saying that we ought to join every human institution and live by its rules. No, we are to be submissive to law and order as constituted by government. But, read on – “…for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”

Notice, too, that we are to do everything “with all respect,” even toward “those who are unreasonable.” If we apply these divine instructions to the day in which we currently live, we can depend on the LORD to advance and ultimately implant respect into the lives of those who are “unreasonable.” It’s like fighting the fires of harsh opposition with the sweet waters of kindness. Even if the cause is lost for the moment, what will linger in the minds and hearts of the opposition will work toward a compatible conclusion. It’s winning with kindness instead of raw power!

Wherever “sticky” situations arise, the resolution for the Christian is through prayer and kindness. “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” The LORD always has a way that is superior and beyond our wildest imagination!

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,

Luke 9:57-62, “As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, ‘I will follow You wherever You go.’

58 And Jesus said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’

59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Decisions require severe investigation. Years ago, prior to my affiliation with the Arkansas Civil Air Patrol, I had to understand the responsibilities of affiliation. You didn’t just walk in and say, “I’d like to join.” There are standards that members are required to know and adhere to.

The qualifications for becoming affiliated with Jesus’ group were pretty stiff, too. The men cited in the verses above very quickly learned that there were indeed some hardships. Comfortable accommodations for living were often non-existent. Animals readily found accommodation, but Jesus and His followers often just rested and slept outdoors in the open air. In fact, Jesus’ earliest accommodation as a newborn child was in an animal manger.

Due to the responsibilities of the connection with Jesus, parents, loved ones, and friends were often neglected without prior warning. Important family matters were delayed or completely pushed aside in deference to the work found in the ministry of Jesus. It gave promise to no easy road.

Strangely enough, accommodation today is quite similar. Families leave loved ones for far-away mission fields. It’s not easy on either group. Those on the home front send money and provisions, yet provisions are often shared with native people, who have needs too great to ignore. Be thankful for what you have! And be ready to share with those who have even less. It’s not easy!

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,

John 5:33-40, “You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.

34 “But the testimony which I receive is not from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 “He was the lamp that was burning and was shining, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 “But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish– the very works that I do– testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

37 “And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.

38 “You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.

39 “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;

40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”

It’s amazing that with more than 2,000 years separating us from the time of Jesus on earth, people are still debating exactly how mankind can be spiritually saved! Some believe salvation is in church membership. But, what church? Others believe salvation comes through baptism. But, whose baptism? Still, others believe one must simply live a “good” life. But, what constitutes “good”? And the quest continues, while the ultimate judgment lies with God Himself.

Jesus clearly said that His testimony was greater than that of John the Baptist. Jesus’ works gave clear credence to that. Further, the Scriptures, if read and properly understood, testify that the Father sent Jesus to be mankind’s Savior and Redeemer.

So, how is one to know whether he has been saved? The Apostle John speaks to that very thing in his first epistle: “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

Now, permit me to ask: “Do you know that you have eternal life?” You can know! Confess your sins to Him in prayer. Ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your life. Trust Him to do it; then, thank Him for saving you. Don’t stumble over the simplicity. Just ask and you will receive.

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,

Jeremiah 6:16-19, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

17 “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet.’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’

18 Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them.

19 “Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans, because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it also.”

Whoever told man that he was superior to the LORD? Heavily nudged by Satan, mankind assumed such and elected to go its own way. Zechariah, somewhat inadvertently, expressed the anger of the LORD when he wrote, “I am angry with the nations who are carefree…” (Zech 1:15). If that were true in Zechariah’s day, why should we be surprised at the LORD’s anger with nations today?

When parents experience disobedience from their children, discipline is in order. But, when children express themselves blatantly saying, “I WILL NOT,” parents have both the right and the responsibility to administer discipline. It is the same with the LORD in His dealings with the nations of the earth.

The Book of Leviticus is quite difficult to read in that it delves deeply into the LORD’s instructions for ancient Israel. What is indisputable is His authority to establish directions for His people. In one sense, not all people are His, in that we are not all Jewish. Yet, in the greater sense, we are all His, and we must learn to obey!

True love often expresses itself in active discipline. Yet, the warm smile of Authority shames us for our sin while welcoming us back into the warm grace of our loving Heavenly Father. Where are you today? Wherever you are, you are always welcome to the comfort of our LORD’s loving arms. Choose wisely. Eternity is just around the corner.

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,

Ecclesiastes 7:8-12, “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit.

9 Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools.

10 Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.

11 Wisdom along with an inheritance is good and an advantage to those who see the sun.

12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”

The concept of wisdom is replete throughout the Scriptures. Proverbs 4:5 says, “Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding!” Then verse eleven says, “I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.”

The dictionary describes “wisdom” as “the quality or state of being wise; the knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action, discernment, or insight.”

Micah 6:8 instructs us clearly: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

It is one thing not to know what to do or say in a difficult situation. We all face that. It is quite another to simply ignore the wise teaching of the Scriptures. Too often, we look at what we conceive to be the probable outcome of a situation (something impossible to know!) and simply act upon impulse.

Daily, systematic study of the Scriptures unconsciously embeds within us its truths, which the Holy Spirit brings to our thinking at the opportune time. It takes consistent, daily study. But it works! And in the long run, it pays huge dividends! God bless you as you give it a try!

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