The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 16:19-24, “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand– Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

I have a long-time friend, who has spent years on the mission field in a foreign country. She treats those to whom she ministers as if they were her own ethnicity. Her attitude toward them helps me to understand Paul’s relationship with the believers in Corinth.

Writing from Asia, Paul extends greetings from the churches there. He does not specifically identify those churches, but it is entirely possible that his reference is to those seven Asian churches identified in Revelation 1:4ff.

I have often witnessed believers from far away churches hug and kiss those whom they had not seen for a long time. Such expressions of greeting, however, were always reserved for those of the same sex. Paul’s reference, “Greet one another with a holy kiss,” is thoroughly spiritual in nature. The word “holy” designates the nature of the kiss.

Inasmuch as Paul calls attention to “anyone who does not love the LORD,” it well may be that there is someone within the Corinthian church, who is a non-believer. Any and all unbelievers will do well to heed Paul’s warning. Many churches –perhaps most—have members who are not true believers.

Some people go to church for “business” contacts. It’s serious business, going to church for reasons other than to worship the LORD! Paul speaks of those people as “being accursed.”

A pastor I once knew always introduced to the congregation those were seeking membership in the church. He paused on that Sunday morning to ask of what commercial business the man was affiliated. The man said, “…the package business.” Further investigation revealed that the true nature of the business was “package liquor.” His request for membership was understandably denied.

Let me ask you: are you a church member? More importantly, are you a born-again believer in Jesus Christ? Spiritually, it is impossible to be a true member of the church if you have not first trusted Jesus as your LORD and Savior. Even if you “slipped in” without the leadership’s notice, you have not escaped the notice of Jesus. Church membership is important, but knowing Christ is more important still. If you’re not sure, talk with the pastor or someone who can lead you to faith in Christ Jesus. Knowing Him is far and away more valuable than merely joining a church –any church.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 16:13-18, “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
15 Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints),
16 that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.
17 I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.
18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, acknowledge such men.

In the previous Grands Letter, you will recall that Paul offered some clarity as to where he was headed and what he would do when he arrived at his destination. He also mentioned some indefinite aspects related to his journey. Over all, however, he encouraged the Corinthian Church as he asked for their prayers and help.

In this portion of his letter, Paul urges the Corinthians not to be “know-it-alls.” The house of Stephanas in Achaia had been the first to commit themselves to the LORD. They were also the primary devotees that led to the conversion of additional people in that area.

Paul then names three others in addition to the Corinthian Church, who
have provided funds for travel and other aspects that the church itself
could not afford. “Acknowledge such men,” Paul says. Surely, he meant
“privately.”

We need to be careful to balance such things. The public naming of such men could be detrimental to the fellowship. Private acknowledgements are excellent; public acknowledgements, however, can foster division.

Some Christian people have a great deal of money. It’s often best that we don’t know who they are or how much they contribute to the LORD’s work. Those who do know should never divulge that knowledge.

In most cases, those who are enabled to give much don’t want it to be known who they are or how much they have given. After all, everything everyone possesses belongs to the LORD, if they belong to Him, too. I pray that you belong to the LORD; so, let all that you do, be done in love and to the Glory of the LORD alone!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

I Corinthians 16:5-9, “I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia;
6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost;
9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. I will come to you after I go through Macedonia, for I am going through Macedonia;
6 and perhaps I will stay with you, or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I may go.
7 For I do not wish to see you now just in passing; for I hope to remain with you for some time, if the Lord permits.
8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost;
9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.”

When Saul of Tarsus came to know Jesus, his name was changed to Paul; and he was thereafter always on the go to tell others! That’s really how it ought to be with all of us who know Jesus. Interestingly, too, Paul had a clear focus on where he was headed, yet the particulars of the journey had not been fully worked out.

“Perhaps,” “even spend the winter,” “wherever I may go,” “I hope to remain,” and “if the LORD permits.” Each of these phrases signify the yet-to-be-determined particulars. Still, there were some solid concepts in Paul’s heart and mind.

I’ve always admired verses 8 and 9: “But I will remain in Ephesus…for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” These verses depict the clarity of Paul’s heart and mind.

First, there was that “wide door for effective service.” This was no dream; it was reality! Exactly what that service was, we are not told; but, we can be certain it was an open opportunity for sharing the Gospel.

Paul then stated, “and there are many adversaries.” If the word “but” were to have replaced the word “and” (as many misspeak when reading it), it would have given the idea that Paul was hesitant –perhaps, even fearful—of this undertaking. But, no! He says, “…and there are many adversaries!”

Granted, none of us are like Paul. We dodge the “buts” and shiver over mention of the “ands.” Yet, Paul’s LORD is our LORD! And He works for us as He did for Paul. Why are we so afraid? We should be thankful that He allows us to serve Him in spiritual battles. Verse 10 tells us that Timothy is not afraid. He is doing the LORD’s work, and so are we! So, why are we so often afraid? Let us trust Him fully! He never fails!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

John 14:1-6, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.
2 “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
4 “And you know the way where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

We live in a day of unprecedented trouble! Virtually everywhere we turn, there is something occurring that was not there yesterday. How do we deal with trouble? Even more to the point, how do you deal with trouble?

Jesus said that we were not to allow our hearts to be troubled. That indicates that we have some control over our emotions. Still, He tells us how to completely avoid being troubled. It is simple: “…believe in Me.”

Belief that avoids trouble is belief that is active! It’s more than saying, “I’m not going to do that anymore.” How does one ignore something that is lodged in his mind? He “scrubs” his mind by diverting his thoughts to something more appealing. We mentally focus on something else. We focus on Jesus!

But how? We read the Bible instead of watching a movie! We listen to Christian music that clothes the mind against the freezing cold of worldly thoughts. Concentrate on the Words of Christ: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places….I go to prepare a place for you.”

These verses remind us that Jesus is coming again! His coming, however, is reserved only for those who have trusted Him to have forgiven their sins, making them ready to live in a spiritually pure environment. Trust is commitment. Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ? Only then will you be ready to meet Him!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom

Dear Grands,

Psalm 1:1-6, “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, but they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Without question, we live in a vile, evil world. Every word of almost every man must be tested regarding his belief. Even ministers, who proclaim themselves ministers of the Gospel, often give wrong instruction and proclaim what they say to be the Word and way of the LORD.

How are we to know whether what is being said is true? The psalmist affirms the life of the righteous man to be “blessed” because he is one who does not “walk in the counsel of the wicked,” but “delights in the law of the LORD.”

Do you delight in the teachings of the Scriptures? Is your life mapped out according to the Words and way of the LORD? It is true that not every problem we encounter has an easy answer. Yet, if we belong to the LORD, we will receive His answer, and on time.

From the passage quoted above, we can be assured that the LORD has drawn a wide line between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked will not survive God’s divine judgment. They may appear to be surviving; but they will ultimately perish. Yet, the righteous who embrace and adhere to the will of the LORD, will themselves survive.

In one sense, therefore, a thin line appears to separate the two; yet, in the final sense, the LORD will enable the righteous to survive, while the wicked will perish. On which side of that thin line do you stand?

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom