The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 4:7-12, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

12 So death works in us, but life in you.”

Writing to the Corinthian Church, the Apostle Paul explains his innermost feelings as related to his ministry. What he treasures is the “surpassing greatness” of God’s power, making certain that others know that what he possesses has indeed come from God alone. Paul is suffering from affliction that would never come from God.

Paul suffered persecution, however, for simply being a Christian. He was often “struck down,” but never destroyed! What a blueprint for all believers! How often we’ve been belittled, mocked, and derided for believing and advocating for Jesus Christ! We’ve lost friends and been asked tough questions we were not prepared to answer. Yet, through it all, we have never been destroyed.

I recall, from years long past, an elderly man saying to me that he embraced the Christian faith because it was the only teaching that truly made sense. Apparently, most people cannot embrace the Christian faith in the face of persecution. Friends laugh, mock, and jest openly about spiritual things until it often seems easier to comply than to contest their mockery. Not with Paul! And not with you, if you are spiritually feeding daily on the Word of God!

Mockery has always existed because it seems easier to embrace it than to stand against it. But, is it really? The mockers have no substantial answers! In the long run, Jesus Christ and Heaven are supremely superior to Satan and eternity in Hell. Those degrading words, and the jesting the believer suffers, are only momentary. There’s a Great Day coming for all who believe and embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Have you trusted Him yet? Time is running out…

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