The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 John 4:7-11, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

If you’ve been watching closely, you’ve noticed what is missing in today’s society: love. Oh, yes, we greet one another, smile, perhaps ask about someone in the other’s family, who has recently been sick; but, it’s often a “Hail, Mary!” –and we’re gone.

Shopping used to be a time for genuine fellowship. I remember people talking so long that one or the other had virtually forgotten what they were looking for when they entered the store. I’ve seen people openly weep when they learned of the diagnosis of a mutual friend –things we too often view as fractionally important today.

True love – the love that originates from God – is the love that John insists that we have and should demonstrate toward others. Every true, born-again believer possesses that love. So, why does it not radiate within us, so that it is seen by others?

In some instances, we are simply focused on ourselves. (Oh, I didn’t ask about that. I was in a desperate hurry. The item I wanted to buy was on sale and I was afraid it would be sold before I got there!) How sad that “things” too often take precedence over people! One day, you and I will be the ones to experience being “short-sighted.” Think carefully on this.

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