Dearest Timothy, Mark, Daniel, and Brian my sons in the Faith,
It is with joy that I share with you my heart concerning the Faith that our Lord Jesus
Christ has secured in all of us. I want to encourage you to know that what I have invested in you as elders of the local church, God sees as His investment in you. Remember that it is His church and He will build it. He gave His life for it.
Our world is the same as it always has been concerning the nature of sin in man and concerning the attacks on God’s Word as it was from the beginning. You all must be vigilant in knowing and defending the Word of God in a manner of love. Your lives must be holy in walk, word and deed. These three things are the foundation of your Christian faith: God’s Truth, Holiness of life and love toward God and all people at all times. You must as I have done seek those men who have truly been born from above who will train men in the Faith who will train men in the Faith. You are to be as wise as serpents and has harmless as doves. Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lives within you.
You are up for the task if you humble yourselves before our Lord Jesus Christ and passionately run after Him. He will be your rock, He will give you strength when you want to quit and He will finish the good work in you that He started. Don’t be deceived by new fads of worship but be wise in your distribution of the gospel when dealing with people of different backgrounds and cultures. Remember the cross will be an offense you are not to be rude and uncaring concerning various cultures. There is only one Lord, one salvation and one hope and you have been entrusted with it. All that you say and do may it be for His glory alone.
Serving Him together,
Daniel
