The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 7:1-4, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh

and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.

3 I do not speak to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.

4 Great is my confidence in you, great is my boasting on your behalf; I am filled with comfort. I am overflowing with joy in

all our affliction.”

One of the problems we have in understanding the Bible is that we tend to pick out certain Scriptures whose meaning is only revealed when they are read in their context. I may have made that mistake by not listing the last two verses in Second Corinthians 6. For it’s there that we learn of advantages to being a Christian. Yes, we have to leave sin behind and learn to serve the LORD alone. At that point, He pledges to us that He will “welcome” us, be a “father” to us, and consider us to be His “sons and daughters.” Only then are we prepared to calim His promises.

Paul clearly understood this. His claim was clear: he had wronged no one, corrupted no one, taken advantage of no one,

and condemned no one. Therefore, he can and does claim the promises the LORD gives to those who do likewise. He then explodes, saying, “Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort.” That sounds and looks quite good, but then he adds, “I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”

Joy amid affliction? Are you sure, Paul? Yes, he is sure. And so can we be, if we seek to live free from sin, and if we allow Him to comfort us, even in our afflictions. Shortly before my wife died, someone asked her if she had any fear of dying. “NO!” she shouted. “I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING; AND I’M READY!” Confidence! Great confidence, and a joy that supersedes all affliction. Is it possible to have joy in the midst of affliction? The answer of every true believer is “Yes!” But it only comes to believers who have resisted evil and are willingly resident in the comfort of our blessed LORD Jesus Christ. Meditate on these thoughts; make adjustments in you life –adjustments that you find imperative. And may God bless you in the process.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”