Reader voices appreciation for Jolly

When I read of Jerry Jolly's retirement as pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Jonesboro where he served for 28 years during two separate stints, I was filled with a sense of gratitude as to his faithful service to the Savior first and foremost as well as to the church for which Christ sacrificed His own life to purchase as His own peculiar people.

In the world we live in, the temporal realm usually secures preeminence, but of course eternity alone will rightly divide the superior nature of eternal elements from the transient features of the natural realm. Jerry Jolly was a man engaged for most of his life in that, which will never diminish while many if not most serve that which is passing away.

Though the natural world demands our attention to necessary degrees, it would be well for all of us to remember its consummate termination in light of eternity. Life is lived properly that looks ahead to that glorious day of resurrection when all the saints of God will find their final rest in the Christ who is our Sabbath. In Him and Him alone is there the promise of eternal life and His cross is His witness of His everlasting love for those who repent and believe the gospel.

Jerry Jolly was an "earthen vessel" in which the treasure of the gospel was contained and through which the Word of the everlasting gospel was preached. Only eternity will tell of the fruits of his ministry and service to a Kingdom that will not pass away.

A man's life is like a pebble thrown into the water that produces ripples, which finally make their way to the shores of eternity. Pastor Jolly's lifework will still be felt in this present state, even until Christ Himself returns to, "reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him" (Col. 1:20-22).

I humbly and duly honor Jerry Jolly and his wife's faithful service with utmost respect, especially as to the eternal nature of it, which has born fruit that will never pass away.

Dr. Roy Hargrave

Ormond Beach, Fla.