A SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL CHRISTIANS, LEFT BY THE APOSTLES BEFORE THEY DIED

A Letter to all who believe in Christ:

To our beloved brothers and sisters, who have been called by God and are sanctified in Christ Jesus, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We, the apostles and servants of the Lord, write to you with joy, reminding you how you ought to live and to please God. First and foremost, set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:1-2). Therefore, we implore you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called (Ephesians 4:1-3), that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:14-15). For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4).

He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6). So, be imitators of God as dear children. Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:1-2). Let your entire life be a testimony, so that your conduct is worthy of the gospel of Christ (Philippians 1:27).

This new life requires a daily choice to walk in the Spirit, so you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). In this, you must actively flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18-20), youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:22-24), and all uncleanness. Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire (Colossians 3:5). Also, be sure to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language (Colossians 3:8-10). The Lord calls us to come out from among them and be separate; do not touch what is unclean (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh (Romans 13:13-14), cleansing yourselves to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).

As Peter exhorts, be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16). And Paul reminds you, to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Let this call to holiness be at the heart of your daily walk with God.

As you live together in fellowship, let your love be the defining mark of your faith. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good (Romans 12:9-21). Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). Through love, serve one another (Galatians 5:13-14), and let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3-4). Rather, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering (Colossians 3:12-14). Be of one mind, having compassion for one another; not returning evil for evil (1 Peter 3:8-9), but be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:25-32).

When a brother is weak or falls into sin, do not condemn him. We who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak (Romans 15:1-2), and you should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2). Let everything you do be for building each other up, as you pursue the things which make for peace (Romans 14:19).

In your interactions with the world, let your conduct be honorable. Be subject to rulers and authorities, obeying and ready for every good work, and speak evil of no one (Titus 3:1-2). Aspire to lead a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your own hands (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12), so that you may be seen as blameless and harmless, children of God without fault (Philippians 2:14-15). In all your conversations, be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath (James 1:19-20).

So then, beloved, let us not grow weary while doing good (Galatians 6:9-10). Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares you, and run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2). Add to your faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7).

Finally, let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16), and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him (Colossians 3:17). Remember always that whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Build yourselves up on your most holy faith and keep yourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:20-21).

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you always. Amen.