The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Philemon 1:17-18, “If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me.

18 But if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my

account.”

Philemon is one of the shortest letters in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul is

writing to Philemon, a fellow-believer, and owner of a slave named Onesimus.

Paul is not writing to uphold or encourage slavery, although it was culturally acceptable in those days. It is simply that Paul was writing against that background. (Don’t read into the Word things that are not there. That is just as wrong as omitting things that are there.)

In time, and for reasons not contained in this short letter, Onesimus escaped from

Philemon and arrived in Rome where Paul was imprisoned. Once there, he helped

Paul immeasurably; still, he was a runaway slave and must return to his master.

This is a remarkable letter! Paul was not attempting to be psychological; but he was

masterfully led by the Holy Spirit, leaving us to wonder at the mastery and ultimately

to appropriate it in our own lives.

The Bible is exceedingly practical! My mentor, the late Dr. Earl L. Pounds, drew from

this brief epistle a means of criticizing others without being offensive. You will want to

employ this fool-proof method for use throughout your lifetime.

First, Compliment them. You are a very intelligent person.

Second, Hint at a criticism. Yet, even the most intelligent have flaws in areas of

their thinking.

Third, Criticize them outrightly! Your problem is that you think you know everything

when you don’t!!!

Fourth, Relate the criticism to yourself. I know, because at one time, I was just as

egotistical as you are!

Fifth, Complement them, You still have a very intelligent mind –one of the finest I know.

What is amazing is that with all of the above being said, what the person remembers are

numbers 1 & 5! Truly, this works! Use it prayerfully. Use it sparingly.

Stay in the Word! Stay focused in Prayer! Trust in the LORD! Share Him with others!

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,

Titus 2:7-8, 15, “…in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in

doctrine, dignified,

8sound in speech, which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame,

having nothing bad to say about us….

15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

It has been noted that the Cretans were a very insincere people. They were characterized by falsehood, and gross living. Their religion was hollow and disingenuous. Thus, Titus and whoever might succeed him, should take caution lest they themselves should be corrupted from the simplicity and purity required in the gospel. Further, there should be a guard against the influence of Judaizing teachers, who emphasized the Mosaic law and people becoming Jews before becoming Christians.

Our caution today is against modernism and post-modernism. Modernism rejects all religious and moral principles as the only means whereby human society might obtain social progress. A great majority of these groups are atheists; and when they deny the existence of God, He is replaced by themselves alone. Post-modernists deny all objective truth. Truth to them is whatever they choose it to be. In effect, man then becomes his own god.

That leaves us viewing the times in which we live as very much the same, yet different (and perhaps worse) than the days of Titus. How are we to respond to people who hold opinions vastly different from the Scriptures? Paul says that we are to “be an example of good deeds,” maintain “purity in the biblical doctrines,” and always be “dignified” (???????? (semnotes, serious) in our demeanor. We are to speak wholesomely, so as to disarm any criticism of which others might accuse us.

We are always to speak with authority and encourage those with whom we share the Gospel; yet, we are never to agree with their wrong assertions about our LORD and His Word. We are to speak kindly, in love and with concern for their salvation, not so as to win a debate!

Lost people may forget or choose to dismiss part or all of our witness; but they will never forget the loving attitude and demeanor we displayed as we spoke with them. Remember, too, that the LORD is present in all that we do in His Name. It is He alone who uses His Word to convict of sin and convince of salvation. We are His servants, and to Him is the glory, whatever the apparent outcome of our witnessing. Just be available to the LORD, and be courageous in sharing His Good News!

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,

II Timothy 1:8 & 2:15, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God….

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.”

Mankind has always wished to be free. Being a prisoner has never been desirable. Yet, its very thought is modified considerably when it’s viewed from the cause. Paul is writing as a prisoner in Rome; yet his cause is just where his imprisonment is not. He was accused by Jewish fanatics in Jerusalem, and not being able to receive justice in Israel, he was forced to appeal to Caesar in Rome.

Now, although unjustly imprisoned in Rome, he saw it as profitable for the Gospel. Paul was never ashamed of or embarrassed by the Gospel of Christ. It was and is “the testimony of our LORD.” Despite the suffering, Paul viewed it all as “according to the power of God.” The same power that accompanied Paul’s preaching now accompanied his suffering. Why don’t we view things like that?

When Paul admonished Timothy to present himself “approved of God,” he was viewing the LORD’s power in the same way as when he was ministering the Gospel. The one caveat is that the minister, the witness must “handle accurately the Word of Truth.” The words “handling accurately” in Greek mean “to cut straight.” No mincing of words or dancing around the Scripture’s true meaning! Tell it like it is!

The power behind the Word, when it’s “handled accurately,” bespeaks a clean and honest heart and mind within the witness. In my more than 60 years of Christian ministry, I’ve encountered my share of human adversaries. I can honestly say that I have never knowingly misused the Holy Scriptures for my own advantage. Some “Christian” people just don’t like “straight talk.” And since they cannot take their fight to the LORD, they take it out on His servant.

My problems were not what people did or said, it was how I responded to what they did and said. So, recently, I spent considerable time reviewing all of the “troubles” I had encountered over those years, along with those who surreptitiously “brought them to my notice.” I wanted to be sure that I had forgiven them for what they had said and how they had acted. With only a few, did I have the opportunity to speak before they died. My conscience was cleared by that same power of God. It is an exercise I greatly encourage! And may our LORD be glorified in it all!

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.”

Dear Grands,

I Timothy 3:15, “…I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household

of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

“Don’t run in church!” That was a firm directive I recall receiving from my mother. I have no idea what causes kids to run in church, but we all did –and they still do! What is worse is that adults often just get up and go out and return, sometimes to-and-from the middle of the third or fourth row from the front. I’ve witnessed such in large arenas, but in relatively smaller churches? Mark it well: there is a decorum that should be followed wherever and whenever the Gospel is being expounded from the pulpit.

Timothy had experienced good instruction from his mother and grandmother. Now he receives more from his mentor, Paul. The word “behave” is the Greek ?????????????. It always carries the sense of moral or religious coloring (Gingrich); therefore, our behavior as believers ought always to be moral, whether in the formal sense of being “in church” or elsewhere. We believers today have the tendency to divorce “being in church” from “elsewere.” Our conduct ought to be the same everywhere.

God Himself is both the pillar (??????) and the support (????????) of the church. By pillar, Paul means the LORD, who is ultimately in charge of the church’s doctrines and practices. Far too many churches today are “governed” by pastors and boards, who are themselves far too lenient in both doctrine and personal deportment. The Church needs prayerful, dedicated leadership that shows responsibility in both the teachings and practices of Scripture. The LORD Himself is the supreme and steadfast support (????????) of the Church. Man can do no better than to rely upon Him.

We all need to remember that wherever we are we are always “in Church.” Still, it’s more: we are the Church. Could that be the reason more people don’t attend? Paul told the Church at Corinth, “…we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2Cor. 8:21). Excellent advice! Let’s practice doing it this week. And don’t be

surprised if some people notice and start attending church with you!

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.”

Dear Grands,

II Thessalonians 1:6-8, “…it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

I have always had an optimistic outlook on everything! Some days, of course, are less given to optimism than others; still, much of the gloom we suffer comes from outside ourselves rather than from within. The “gloomy Gus” (and I have no known Gus in mind) has no one to blame for his affliction but himself. There are those, of course, whose “brightness” comes from spreading gloom on everyone else.

If someone is pouring gloom all over your life –gloom that refuses to be erased by your inward

optimism— you will simply have to trust the LORD to deal with them. The Scriptures promise He will repay them in His own way and in His own time. That eliminates our standing on the sidelines and cheering over their misery in repayment.

We should be focused on the thought of Christ’s coming “from Heaven with His mighty angels…” At that time, He will pour out His wrath in “retribution upon those who do not know Him” and who did not “obey the gospel of our LORD Jesus.” Just think of the people you know, who do not know Him! They are going to suffer for not having trusted Him as their Savior! What’s more, you and I will be responsible for not having told them of the LORD and His salvation.

Our richest optimism will not be sufficient for us in that day. Nor will those who suffer do so because of anything they have done to us! Rather, it will be because they rejected Christ. There are those who believe Christ’s Coming is very near! The calousness of human hearts, even toward their fellowman, are beyond belief. Riping babies apart at birth for a profit; random killings and crowds cheering that people may die is simply beyond the pale. We have lost all human dignity. And for that, God will repay them all without mercy!

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