The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Jude 1:1-8, “Jude, a bond servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. 4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5 Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels, who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.”

Reading the Scriptures has given me significant insight into the nature of godliness and ungodliness. Through these passages, I have gained a clearer perspective on the contrast between salvation and eternal fire. I recognize, however, that my understanding of these concepts is still incomplete. My experiences in factory work, surrounded by ungodly men, revealed to me the reality of ungodliness and how it can profoundly impact a person’s life. The act of laughing at a humorously obscene story often serves as a marker that separates believers from unbelievers.

In essence, the Scriptures serve to distinguish between those who are truly born again and those who have never known Christ. The opportunities the Lord has given us are remarkable, allowing us to demonstrate His love by consciously refraining from sin. Sadly, however, we often submit to what is of significantly lesser value. Thus, we forfeit what is eternal for that which is sensual.

In some instances, we may be attempting to sidestep and avoid ridicule. Yet, we might also be surprised how effective our spiritual stand is having with those who stand in the fore of the tease.

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 3:1-10, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. 6 For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9 But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’ and Jambres’ folly was also.”

For me, it would be just a guess as to how many people are personally involved in one or more of the 17 evil and undesirable categories listed above in verses two through eight. Nevertheless, it is a citation that uniformly encompasses her husband’s character!

Warned in multiple ways by loving, experienced parents, we know-it-all kids eventually experience what it is to taste of fire when we insist on visiting such places. It is then that parents evidence their slackness in duties (if not also in preoccupation – wishing they were kids once again).

Let the Word of Christ dwell alive within us all! Believe and Beware; Believe and Take Care! Protect us, LORD Jesus; Believe and Take Care!

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,

Numbers 32:19-23, “…we will not have an inheritance with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has fallen to us on this side of the Jordan toward the east.’

20 So Moses said to them, If you will do this, if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for the war,

21 and all of you armed men cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven His enemies out from before Him,

22 and the land is subdued before the LORD, then afterward you shall return and be free of obligation toward the LORD and toward Israel, and this land shall be yours for a possession before the LORD.’

23 ‘But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.’”

There has always been considerable squabbling among the Jews! Either they were totally united against another nation, or they were fractured and disunited within themselves. Here they had reached the land for which they had sought. Only the Jordan River awaited their crossing. But, the tribes of Gad and Reuben had large herds of cattle, and the land they would be required to leave behind looked better for their flocks than the land that lay across the Jordan.

Not to trivialize a situation, but have you ever noticed how children are content to play with certain toys until they see other children playing with different toys? Suddenly, what the other kids have looks better. Then the squabble is on!

Moses was then required to come up with a solution. Indeed he did! “Look,” he said, “you two tribes help the others make the crossing and get settled on the other side; then you will be released from your agreement and may return to those fertile fields.” They agreed!

Sometimes you and I are required to produce a plan that is agreeable to two opposing parties. We must never go back on our word, even though some “new” plan appears to be better than our previous one. Keeping good people together is the correct thing to do.

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,

Genesis 18:25-33, “Far be it from Thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from Thee, shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”

26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”

27 And Abraham answered and said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.

28 “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, wilt Thou destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”

30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”

31 And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”

32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”

33 And as soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed; and Abraham returned to his place.”

Have you ever thought that you could “out-talk” the LORD? I know some preachers who apparently believe they can! Have you ever thought you could bargain with the LORD and win? Well, I’ve never personally known that to be successful. It seems both dangerous and futile to me. Yet, I suppose each of us has, at some time, sought to persuade the LORD to do it our way.

There are some decidedly spiritual aspects that must be “in place” if any facet of such can be successful. Examining the life of Abraham finds him abiding in the way of the LORD. Any child of a wise and loving parent knows that “minding” is the key to obtaining future freedoms.

What has the LORD commissioned you to be beyond being a true and faithful servant? “Being” supersedes “doing.” How clearly and often my mother used to say, “Well, if you do what I’ve told you, we’ll see about it.” Are you doing what He has told you to do? Are you reading the Bible? Are you faithfully praying? Do others know you as a true and faithful witness for the LORD? Okay, now we’ll see about those things you’ve asked.

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 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.”

There are 348 English words listed as “love” in the New American Standard Bible. Not all of these words, however, mean the same thing. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Still, not every instance in either language always translates “love” with the same meaning.

Words that “look” the same often vary in meaning. We may “love” apple pie, as well as we love the beautiful distant mountains. We may “love” the Word of God, but not how it says that we are to “love one another.” We may truly “love” a member of our own family, while not showing that “love” in a clear, practical way.

It hurts when we love someone and they don’t show the same love toward us. True Christians take note of such things and endeavor to show genuine love toward others. Can you think and discover how you might show love to someone that you’ve neglected? A phone call, a text message, even a short, personal visit. It will make their world!

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