Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
Believers converted through gospel labor are themselves the minister's letter of recommendation, written in the heart and openly known and read by all, proving his call by their turning from idols and reformation of life. All Christ's followers are such living letters to the world and to angels and men, making faith visible by daily words, actions and influence so that those who do not study Scripture learn belief by observing life. Christ Himself writes the letter within, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God on the heart, preparing it for divine light and inscribing God's thoughts and law in the inward parts. The readable life shows inward goodness made outward in purity, humility, patience, integrity, industry and love, shining from within rather than put on from without, and bearing the dying of self to represent Christ. Ministers and teachers are especially to be such letters, sanctified by the truths they preach and proving their call by likeness to Christ, since holy unselfish example accomplishes more to make truth effective than preaching without godly life.
Paul's Corinthian Recommendation
The believers at Corinth themselves were the letter of recommendation, written in the heart and openly known and read by all. Their turning from idol worship to gospel faith and the reformation seen in their lives in response to labor was all the proof needed of the call and of authority to counsel, reprove, exhort and command. That living inward evidence was publicly testified by conversion, reception of the gospel and changed lives, making the gospel known to everyone who saw them and showing whether ministerial labor reflected Christ. The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the very best proof of a call to the ministry, written on the hearts of those converted and witnessed by reformed lives in which Christ is formed within, making them zealous for the truth received and careful for their lives to harmonize with it, loved as the fruit of labor and regarded as the testimonial, speaking to all nations, tongues and peoples without need for written commendations from other churches such as other visitors carried.
Ministers of Christ need no written letters of commendation to or from believers, because believers converted through them are their epistle. They are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered through human workers, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone but on the fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust toward God is through Christ, for sufficiency is not of themselves but of God, who makes able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit, for the letter kills but the spirit gives life. If the ministration of death written and engraved in stone was glorious so that Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, the ministration of the Spirit and of righteousness which remains is much more glorious, therefore ministers use great plainness of speech, unlike Moses who veiled his face. The same veil remains untaken away in the reading of the old testament and on the heart when Moses is read, and is done away in Christ when the heart turns to the Lord, for the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. The faith and grace of believers is sufficient commendation of the ministry, and experienced ministers lead young men forward in winning souls in work that triumphs in Christ and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge in every place.
A minister's usefulness is measured by the results of his labors. Men and women who receive the truth and adorn it in their lives while following the example of their Lord are his epistle and recommend both the truth and the minister who presented it, strengthening him as seals of his ministry, and ministers today should have the same witness the Corinthian church bore. When professed followers bear pride, self-confidence, love of the world, fault-finding, bitterness and envy with deportment in sharp contrast to the character of Christ, such an epistle known and read of all men is a sad testimony to the ministerial labor under which they received their spiritual mold, showing Christ had no connection with such conversions. Rarely a person may dishonor God even when the minister was faithful, sincere and thorough.
Clinging to the one man under whose labors light was received, tying up in separate bundles and refusing harmony with brethren, misuses what it means to be a minister's epistle. Such division proves the heart is not sanctified through the truth, becomes a stumbling block to sinners, and needs reconversion as soon as possible. True living letters, openly seen by the world, by angels and by men, will testify to Jesus Christ and not to a human leader by reflecting His light and walking as He walked, with humility, purity, meekness, forbearance and faithfulness, presenting love and unity in harmonious action instead of division.
Christ's Writing Within Hearts
Sufficiency for this ministry is not from men themselves but from God, who makes able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit, for the letter kills but the spirit gives life. If the ministration of death written and engraved in stone was glorious so that Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, the ministration of the Spirit and of righteousness which remains is much more glorious, while that former glory was to be done away. Therefore ministers use great plainness of speech, unlike Moses who veiled his face, for the same veil remains untaken away in the reading of the old testament and lies upon the heart when Moses is read, and it is done away in Christ when the heart turns to the Lord. The Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
Christ's living epistles are souls sanctified by the Holy Spirit who look to God for themselves instead of looking to men to be told their duty. The divine Guide prepares the heart for divine light, and the Holy Spirit writes God's thoughts and His law deeply in the inward parts, in the fleshy tables of the heart, not with pen and ink and not in tables of stone. Only those with God's law thus written within are what the verse requires. God's workers are such living letters, known and read by everyone, whose holy character and lives bear witness to God by carrying forward the spiritual light received through the church's history and making it known to others.
Jesus Christ Himself came to this world as a living epistle of the law, living the law of God's government as an expression of God's character. When the world is brought to trial before the great white throne to account for rejecting God's own messenger to this world, a solemn reckoning will be made for nailing to the cross the One who came as that living epistle. Men who now reject God's law crucify the Son of God afresh and identify themselves with those who crucified Him on Calvary between two thieves.
Christ's character, represented through kind, loving, self-denying deeds, is written in other people's hearts and becomes a witness others can recognize. Justification by faith is made evident through transformed character and daily obedience to the word, for consistent Christian action is a living testimony that the world can see and read. Those who copy Jesus' example become living letters, known and read by everyone, whose character represents Jesus Christ to the world, and their lives teach others how to obey God just as Jesus taught obedience by His words and practical example.
Letter Known and Read
All of Christ's followers are living letters, known and read by everyone, by the world and by angels and men. Their daily words, actions, conduct and influence make faith visible, so that people who do not study Scripture learn what Christians believe by observing how they live. Their lives are to represent the elevating and ennobling character of truth, guarded against narrowness and selfishness and remembered with humility and care. They represent Christ through daily conduct and the good works they learn to do.
This public life is to reveal Christ's goodness and love and His purity and simplicity, and to shed light for those in darkness. It reaches even people prejudiced against truth by professed believers whose lives deny its power, as daily words and good actions make the truth attractive. A holy, unselfish life marked by faith and sacrifice gives persuasive evidence that opponents cannot refute or gainsay. Such humble, devoted, virtuous conduct and godly example can accomplish more than preaching without one, doing more to make truth effective than all sermons and illustrations. Lives warmed by Christ's love and transformed by truth lead others to higher attainments, better actions, greater faithfulness and salvation from sin, for He Himself is the efficiency of this living exposition, while all arguments, prayers, exhortations, warnings and reproof without His Spirit are as sounding brass and worthless for saving souls. Sincere words, growing piety, zeal and consecrated judgment show communion with God and learning from Him, and words spoken by converted lips carry power to touch unbelievers, who can distinguish what is human from what is divine.
To be God's epistles is to be His missionaries and witnesses scattered over the earth, bodies of light and signs to the people whose faith and works are seen by everyone. They testify that great salvation has been received through Jesus, that God's grace has not been received in vain, and that the coming Saviour and the coming judgment are near. Their faith and works warn people to prepare, display God's will and the wonders of His grace to the unbelieving world, and call them to work earnestly and lovingly to seek and save the lost. Gathered diaries and copies of letters from years past, reproduced in testimony form, can also serve as such a living letter to all in regard to faith, known and read of all to revive past history and to show one straight chain of truth without one heretical sentence. Living epistles also turn others from valuing material things toward eternal realities by an example and influence that reveals Christ and distinguishes them without outward display.
Character Seen in Epistles
The readable life puts inward goodness outward where all can see it, in cleanliness, order, purity, meekness, humility, patience, forbearance, tenderness, dignity, propriety, integrity in business, industry, frugality, and freedom from greed, dishonesty and every appearance of evil. What a person is has greater influence than what is said, so the quiet, consistent, godly life itself is the living letter all observe. Appropriate dress and spirit with unselfish love make that influence visible, so observers are convicted of idolatry and recognize learning from Jesus, while pure motives and grace-shaped character teach those around and point them toward God and heaven. Cleanliness and order at home, on the premises, and in surroundings belong to this witness for all professed believers, not teachers only, as example to the world reflecting purity.
Holiness in such letters is not shaped from without or put on but radiates from within, and when goodness, purity, meekness, lowliness, equity and integrity dwell in the heart they shine forth in character full of power. The secret work between the soul and God is never seen by the world — inward bitterness, self-loathing, constant effort to restrain wrong tendencies, control self, and strengthen unexercised noble faculties — but its result is seen when Christ is revealed in daily conduct in a symmetrical, nobly developed character. The glory belongs not to the instrument but to the great Worker in whose hand it is used, for the heart filled with the Saviour's love daily receives grace to impart, and the life reveals the redeeming power of the truth. Jesus proves this, for His words carried convincing power because they came from a pure and holy heart full of love, sympathy, beneficence and truth, showing that life gives force to speech.
The letter bears about the dying of the Lord Jesus through constant crucifixion and dying to self and sin, with the consciousness of being God's servant to represent Christ and live the life Jesus lived, speaking and walking circumspectly so the light of Christ is revealed in daily life. Even unlearned and ignorant men became such living letters when grace and truth reigned in their hearts, inspiring and purifying their lives and controlling their actions as living representatives of the mind and spirit of Christ. This character produced glorious results in ministry, yet it brought hatred and persecution from all who would not receive the truth preached and who despised the cross.
Unity and oneness are part of the letter, for the world sees Christ's life exemplified in believers' harmony and love for one another. Visible character and works reveal what kind of tree believers are and provide the evidence of discipleship, and as branches of the Living Vine they bear precious fruit that serves as God's badge showing them to be His sons and daughters. When lives testify to the truth's sanctifying and holy-making power they continually shine as examples and light that can lead others to Christ. Attitudes, words and spirit shape that witness, with Christ dwelling in the heart and unity and love made visible to others.
Becoming this letter is sanctification through obedience to Christ and holiness of soul, body and spirit, formed by Christ's indwelling grace and matured by looking to Jesus. By faith the believer enters into sympathy with Christ's cleansing work in the heavenly sanctuary, with thoughts engaged and conversation burdened by it, laboring together with God to cleanse the sanctuary of the soul from everything offensive to Him. That cleansing puts away evil surmising, envy, jealousy, enmity, hatred, love of self and being puffed up, and refuses to grieve the Holy Spirit, reproducing the example of Christ's life and the consistency of His character. Then godliness, sobriety, consistency and the gentle attractive influence of Jesus mark life and example, and influence becomes far-reaching for all to read.
Living faith that makes believers letters is obedience in action, controlling conduct and sanctifying life until changed into Christ's likeness, seeing His excellence and realizing the sufficiency of His grace. It divests of selfishness, bigotry, spiritual pride, self-centeredness and idolizing of self, makes imitators of Christ meek and lowly in heart, and prepares believers to meet the Saviour when He comes with power and great glory. Where Christ abides in the heart there are deep yearnings for the salvation of unbelievers, anxiety to practice the good works of Christ, and refusal to seek riches for display and self-glory or to spend on selfish gratifications in house and person. Words and example thus become a continual sermon presenting a crucified and risen Saviour to those in darkness, consecrating strength, children and property to Christ's service, using every penny to bless others and carry the good news to perishing souls, making manifest treasure laid up above, life hid with Christ in God, and hope to appear with Him in glory. Neglect of this practical faith misses opportunities for good works to lead people to glorify God.
Ministers and Teachers as Epistles
Ministers and teachers of truth are especially to be living letters read by all, sanctified by the truths they preach and showing the mind and Spirit of Christ. The teacher proves his call by likeness of character to Christ the Chief Shepherd, illustrated in his own character and home life, with life giving force to speech as Jesus' pure holy heart gave convincing power to His words. Their words and character are to represent Christ and display the Bible standard of Christian character, with thoughts refined and conversation reflecting heavenly things as the Spirit controls the passions and Christ dwells in the heart by faith. Their lives and conduct make faith visible to the world in cleanliness, purity, and freedom from every appearance of evil.
A minister becomes such a letter when his own life represents the sanctifying truth through reformation, experimental knowledge of Scripture, an opened heart, and meekness and lowliness of heart under the Spirit's control. This requires a cleansed fountain that no longer uses strong, hard, unbecoming, unchristian language toward brethren nor excuses self by appeal to sympathy, overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies as a new man in Christ Jesus with Jesus formed within as the hope of glory, broken by falling upon the Rock. Then the power of the Holy Spirit accompanies his words, while lives warmed by His love and transformed by truth can lead others to higher attainments, better actions, greater faithfulness, and salvation from sin. All arguments, prayers, exhortations, warnings and reproof without His Spirit are as sounding brass and worthless for saving souls. That inward ministry keeps going forward, conforming character to the character of Christ, and is found in the worker who most deeply feels his own weakness, unworthiness and helplessness, casts himself on Christ, and has the contrite and humble spirit with whom the high and holy God dwells to revive.
Messengers of God are Christ's letters read by all only when they live the truth, and the letter opened before revilers of truth is their attitude, words and spirit. A tame, lifeless ministry and lifeless character cannot serve this purpose, for missionaries need the Holy Spirit and a missionary spirit to reveal truth as righteousness and power in human lives expressed in loving, fruitful service. Wrong attitude, harsh words, exaggeration of the enemy's power, and flashing human judgment and passion give enemies advantage to justify falsehoods and dishonor God as strange fire. Learning personal weakness by experience and trusting Christ alone as sufficiency, not trusting self for a moment, makes the epistle right.
Ministers bearing solemn last-day truth must be patterns of piety free from selfishness, with benevolence dwelling naturally in them and ashamed of selfish acts toward their brethren. Their fruit is holiness, and their spirit, objects, and desires are the opposite of worldlings because by accepting divine truth they become servants of God and are no longer children of darkness and servants of the world, chosen out of the world by Christ. Their heavenly conversation and self-denying, self-sacrificing, blameless life has convincing power that leads unbelievers into all truth and to obedience to Christ. As living examples like Christ they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth with a saving influence as Christ's representatives on earth, not laboring for gain or inspired by earthly things but overbalancing every earthly attraction with eternal considerations, laboring only to please God with an eye single to His glory and enjoying the reward of doing His will.
Every worker in God's service may become such a living epistle openly seen and understood by everyone through the grace and wisdom God has provided. It is fulfilled by watching unto prayer, putting self in the background and forgetting self entirely, living not to save reputation but to save perishing souls from perdition, uplifting Jesus instead of self, becoming channels through which living water flows to refresh others, and daily showing others how they may gain truth and righteousness. It requires faithful painstaking discharge of duty while watching for souls as those who must give account, removing every stumblingblock from the way of others, and earnest warnings and entreaties with tender solicitude for those ready to perish, so that souls are won to Christ. This witness is strengthened by personal care for those who need help and light, habitual communion with God, and growth in grace and knowledge of Christ, showing a character shaped by divine wisdom rather than own spirit and careless words. Failure through lack of spiritual discernment and vital piety leaves workers answerable to God, who will require at their hands the souls for whom they should have labored.
Readable Lives in Daily Callings
Families are to be living letters from God that all around can see and read. A family that keeps God's law in an unbelieving community represents Jesus through its life, so its conduct makes faith visible to those around it. Parents become living epistles at home when by circumspect conduct they teach children lessons in religious life and model solid Christian character. To be that letter the love of God must abide in the heart, practical truth must be desired, and God must preside within, so spiritual life stays alive and influence makes associates better and not worse. Love of selfish indulgence and love of the things of the world quenches spiritual life, makes a family a stumbling block, and keeps it from being what the verse requires.
The call does not rest on ordained ministers alone but on every member, student, child and youth to be a living letter in the home, in the church and in the world. Each member is to represent Christ and be the light of the world, seen and understood by all, which calls for much greater watchfulness and untiring diligence. A working church where elders and deacons are alert to make and carry out plans giving every member a share in active work for souls preserves a healthy thriving condition. Students who hear and obey Christ's call, coming for rest, taking His yoke and learning His meekness, lowliness, humility, self-sacrifice and holiness, become living letters known and read through the lives they lead. Even the poor and unlearned become such epistles by becoming students in Christ's school where He teaches true wisdom, living meek childlike trust and true piety, going forth with a Christlike spirit to seek opportunity to engage others, testify what the Lord has done, bring God into life and character, and reveal the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom to know aright is life eternal. Though the world does not know or recognize them, they are known by heaven as sons of God.
In publishing houses, offices and institutions a positive and different influence is to be felt, with lives as an exposition of sacred truth showing men are not of the same character as the world and shining as lights amid moral darkness. This takes place when workers show consecration and purity toward every child of God, doing business on principles of justice and equity, judging without partiality or hypocrisy, revealing nothing like oppression, with managers under God's control holding to the spirit of sacrifice in which the work began rather than worldly policy, selfishness and love of money. The character of the heart is understood by the temper of the words, and Christ is the efficiency. In sanitariums and medical work, workers are to be daily living epistles known and read by those they serve, drawing for themselves from the reservoir of knowledge, wisdom, sanctification and righteousness because the work is sacred with results as far-reaching as eternity. Patients are to learn what it means to be bound to Christ and blessed with His light and life by seeing His grace uplifting the whole person in followers' lives. When a caregiver lives in close communion with God, speaks helpful words Christ can use, and prays for the sin-sick soul, Jesus applies the words, God speaks through human lips, the heart is reached, humanity touches divinity, and souls thus won are living letters all know and read, trophies of grace and seals of ministry turning people from material display toward eternal realities.
Managers and guardians of fellow workers in the Lord's institutions are living letters known and read by all. They must first learn to control themselves and stay under the Spirit, abiding in Christ and one with Him, ever looking to Him and receiving strength for every conflict. Position and power give no liberty to bear down on others, and they must not abuse speech by harshness to those who come for directions. They must speak as Christ would speak and act as He would act, with unfailing tenderness and compassion in pleasing agreeable manner, setting a guard over speech and rendering prompt cheerful obedience, because as representatives of the heavenly kingdom they are to live lives of a higher order than those who have not received Christ.
Those who accept Christ have the privilege of reaching a high standard in character and so becoming a living letter all can see and understand, as Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon were. Through the merits of Christ and His imputed righteousness there is no reason not to possess fragrance of character, be recognized in heaven as workers together with God, have saving influence, communicate His goodness, mercy and love to fallen humanity, and be to others a savor of life unto life. Those who hear truth and claim belief yet are not sanctified by it testify that truth has no sanctifying power and make it of no effect.
Long-tested older believers are living epistles known and read of all. Their lives read by others show thorough acquaintance with Satan's wiles, holding banners aloft without turning to right or left from the old paths, remembering the days of old and knowing Him which is from the beginning. They still win victories, ever light-bearers and faithful witnesses whose trumpet gives a certain sound.
Being this epistle requires being spiritually awake and letting Christ who is light and life be seen within, for lifeless professors cannot serve as living letters. People transformed by receiving Christ's fullness and grace become living letters whose character is known and read by everyone, with the Holy Spirit working and speaking through them so life bears witness to faith and reveals truth as righteousness and power in character. Everyone naming Christ's name should be truly converted with the Spirit and mind of Christ and drawn together with Him, instead of misrepresenting truth by sluggish indifference or having a name to live while dead. It requires reconversion, a heart subdued by the Holy Spirit, putting all bitterness and malice out, daily seeking God for strength and grace, and honoring Him by obedient love flowing forth every day and every hour, doing all unto the Lord. It requires carrying the consciousness of being God's servant to represent Christ, following His example and living the life Jesus lived, which invests words and actions with heavenly dignity that refines, purifies and ennobles and makes influence a savor of life and strength to fellow workers. It requires being on guard every moment against rocks, quicksands, perils and the foe's stratagems, remaining faithful, watchful, prayerful and wide-awake, hiding in Christ, always ready for His appearing lest He come suddenly and find them sleeping, and teaching others cheerfulness, watchfulness and faith with prayerful attitude as salt that has not lost savor.
The verse calls believers to openly show identity without concealment and live in harmony with pure principles so truth is not shamed, never being ashamed of truth. This is the best way to reach the higher classes, representing truth's elevating and ennobling character through conduct. Every Christian is to stand on the rock of high noble principle, meet temptation and trial with ministering angels lifting a standard against the enemy, and be brave godly men of principle doing utmost through every temptation to maintain heaven-born principles instead of being hypocrites and pretenders. Each person is a letter others observe and interpret, yet none is fully proved until time and circumstance put character into God's crucible to show gold or base metal. Wrong traits invisible to self are apparent to others, and every base thought and wrong action reveals defect, so rugged traits must come under chisel and hammer in God's workshop until grace smooths and polishes for a place in the glorious temple.
To be this message believers must fix eyes on Jesus, live not for self but for God's glory, and lift up Christ so He draws all. The life itself is to glorify God in serving and praising Him, making His call out of darkness into light visible, and neglecting this through selfishness is failure to be what the verse requires. A believer with true missionary spirit is a living letter known and read by all, with Christ's purity and simplicity seen in humble life testifying to genuine piety from receiving and reflecting light, sharing the divine nature and escaping corruption through lust. Converted unselfish effort to lead others to truth gives visible evidence of conversion and of working together with Him. After wrestling in secret prayer then going out in Christ's spirit to talk with people, anointed for mission, carrying heaven's atmosphere, with well-chosen words and face reflecting the Master, the individual is openly seen and read as light of the world. Then believers shine as light set on a hill, joining thousands of heavenly intelligences waiting to work with them, exerting positive influence as salt and light to make the gospel diffusive and aggressive.
Believers converted through gospel labor are themselves the minister's letter of recommendation, written in the heart and openly known and read by all, proving his call by their turning from idols and reformation of life. All Christ's followers are such living letters to the world and to angels and men, making faith visible by daily words, actions and influence so that those who do not study Scripture learn belief by observing life. Christ Himself writes the letter within, not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God on the heart, preparing it for divine light and inscribing God's thoughts and law in the inward parts. The readable life shows inward goodness made outward in purity, humility, patience, integrity, industry and love, shining from within rather than put on from without, and bearing the dying of self to represent Christ. Ministers and teachers are especially to be such letters, sanctified by the truths they preach and proving their call by likeness to Christ, since holy unselfish example accomplishes more to make truth effective than preaching without godly life.
Paul's Corinthian Recommendation
The believers at Corinth themselves were the letter of recommendation, written in the heart and openly known and read by all. Their turning from idol worship to gospel faith and the reformation seen in their lives in response to labor was all the proof needed of the call and of authority to counsel, reprove, exhort and command. That living inward evidence was publicly testified by conversion, reception of the gospel and changed lives, making the gospel known to everyone who saw them and showing whether ministerial labor reflected Christ. The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the very best proof of a call to the ministry, written on the hearts of those converted and witnessed by reformed lives in which Christ is formed within, making them zealous for the truth received and careful for their lives to harmonize with it, loved as the fruit of labor and regarded as the testimonial, speaking to all nations, tongues and peoples without need for written commendations from other churches such as other visitors carried.
Ministers of Christ need no written letters of commendation to or from believers, because believers converted through them are their epistle. They are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered through human workers, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tables of stone but on the fleshly tables of the heart. Such trust toward God is through Christ, for sufficiency is not of themselves but of God, who makes able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit, for the letter kills but the spirit gives life. If the ministration of death written and engraved in stone was glorious so that Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, the ministration of the Spirit and of righteousness which remains is much more glorious, therefore ministers use great plainness of speech, unlike Moses who veiled his face. The same veil remains untaken away in the reading of the old testament and on the heart when Moses is read, and is done away in Christ when the heart turns to the Lord, for the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. The faith and grace of believers is sufficient commendation of the ministry, and experienced ministers lead young men forward in winning souls in work that triumphs in Christ and makes manifest the savor of His knowledge in every place.
A minister's usefulness is measured by the results of his labors. Men and women who receive the truth and adorn it in their lives while following the example of their Lord are his epistle and recommend both the truth and the minister who presented it, strengthening him as seals of his ministry, and ministers today should have the same witness the Corinthian church bore. When professed followers bear pride, self-confidence, love of the world, fault-finding, bitterness and envy with deportment in sharp contrast to the character of Christ, such an epistle known and read of all men is a sad testimony to the ministerial labor under which they received their spiritual mold, showing Christ had no connection with such conversions. Rarely a person may dishonor God even when the minister was faithful, sincere and thorough.
Clinging to the one man under whose labors light was received, tying up in separate bundles and refusing harmony with brethren, misuses what it means to be a minister's epistle. Such division proves the heart is not sanctified through the truth, becomes a stumbling block to sinners, and needs reconversion as soon as possible. True living letters, openly seen by the world, by angels and by men, will testify to Jesus Christ and not to a human leader by reflecting His light and walking as He walked, with humility, purity, meekness, forbearance and faithfulness, presenting love and unity in harmonious action instead of division.
Christ's Writing Within Hearts
Sufficiency for this ministry is not from men themselves but from God, who makes able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter but of the spirit, for the letter kills but the spirit gives life. If the ministration of death written and engraved in stone was glorious so that Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses, the ministration of the Spirit and of righteousness which remains is much more glorious, while that former glory was to be done away. Therefore ministers use great plainness of speech, unlike Moses who veiled his face, for the same veil remains untaken away in the reading of the old testament and lies upon the heart when Moses is read, and it is done away in Christ when the heart turns to the Lord. The Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, and all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord.
Christ's living epistles are souls sanctified by the Holy Spirit who look to God for themselves instead of looking to men to be told their duty. The divine Guide prepares the heart for divine light, and the Holy Spirit writes God's thoughts and His law deeply in the inward parts, in the fleshy tables of the heart, not with pen and ink and not in tables of stone. Only those with God's law thus written within are what the verse requires. God's workers are such living letters, known and read by everyone, whose holy character and lives bear witness to God by carrying forward the spiritual light received through the church's history and making it known to others.
Jesus Christ Himself came to this world as a living epistle of the law, living the law of God's government as an expression of God's character. When the world is brought to trial before the great white throne to account for rejecting God's own messenger to this world, a solemn reckoning will be made for nailing to the cross the One who came as that living epistle. Men who now reject God's law crucify the Son of God afresh and identify themselves with those who crucified Him on Calvary between two thieves.
Christ's character, represented through kind, loving, self-denying deeds, is written in other people's hearts and becomes a witness others can recognize. Justification by faith is made evident through transformed character and daily obedience to the word, for consistent Christian action is a living testimony that the world can see and read. Those who copy Jesus' example become living letters, known and read by everyone, whose character represents Jesus Christ to the world, and their lives teach others how to obey God just as Jesus taught obedience by His words and practical example.
Letter Known and Read
All of Christ's followers are living letters, known and read by everyone, by the world and by angels and men. Their daily words, actions, conduct and influence make faith visible, so that people who do not study Scripture learn what Christians believe by observing how they live. Their lives are to represent the elevating and ennobling character of truth, guarded against narrowness and selfishness and remembered with humility and care. They represent Christ through daily conduct and the good works they learn to do.
This public life is to reveal Christ's goodness and love and His purity and simplicity, and to shed light for those in darkness. It reaches even people prejudiced against truth by professed believers whose lives deny its power, as daily words and good actions make the truth attractive. A holy, unselfish life marked by faith and sacrifice gives persuasive evidence that opponents cannot refute or gainsay. Such humble, devoted, virtuous conduct and godly example can accomplish more than preaching without one, doing more to make truth effective than all sermons and illustrations. Lives warmed by Christ's love and transformed by truth lead others to higher attainments, better actions, greater faithfulness and salvation from sin, for He Himself is the efficiency of this living exposition, while all arguments, prayers, exhortations, warnings and reproof without His Spirit are as sounding brass and worthless for saving souls. Sincere words, growing piety, zeal and consecrated judgment show communion with God and learning from Him, and words spoken by converted lips carry power to touch unbelievers, who can distinguish what is human from what is divine.
To be God's epistles is to be His missionaries and witnesses scattered over the earth, bodies of light and signs to the people whose faith and works are seen by everyone. They testify that great salvation has been received through Jesus, that God's grace has not been received in vain, and that the coming Saviour and the coming judgment are near. Their faith and works warn people to prepare, display God's will and the wonders of His grace to the unbelieving world, and call them to work earnestly and lovingly to seek and save the lost. Gathered diaries and copies of letters from years past, reproduced in testimony form, can also serve as such a living letter to all in regard to faith, known and read of all to revive past history and to show one straight chain of truth without one heretical sentence. Living epistles also turn others from valuing material things toward eternal realities by an example and influence that reveals Christ and distinguishes them without outward display.
Character Seen in Epistles
The readable life puts inward goodness outward where all can see it, in cleanliness, order, purity, meekness, humility, patience, forbearance, tenderness, dignity, propriety, integrity in business, industry, frugality, and freedom from greed, dishonesty and every appearance of evil. What a person is has greater influence than what is said, so the quiet, consistent, godly life itself is the living letter all observe. Appropriate dress and spirit with unselfish love make that influence visible, so observers are convicted of idolatry and recognize learning from Jesus, while pure motives and grace-shaped character teach those around and point them toward God and heaven. Cleanliness and order at home, on the premises, and in surroundings belong to this witness for all professed believers, not teachers only, as example to the world reflecting purity.
Holiness in such letters is not shaped from without or put on but radiates from within, and when goodness, purity, meekness, lowliness, equity and integrity dwell in the heart they shine forth in character full of power. The secret work between the soul and God is never seen by the world — inward bitterness, self-loathing, constant effort to restrain wrong tendencies, control self, and strengthen unexercised noble faculties — but its result is seen when Christ is revealed in daily conduct in a symmetrical, nobly developed character. The glory belongs not to the instrument but to the great Worker in whose hand it is used, for the heart filled with the Saviour's love daily receives grace to impart, and the life reveals the redeeming power of the truth. Jesus proves this, for His words carried convincing power because they came from a pure and holy heart full of love, sympathy, beneficence and truth, showing that life gives force to speech.
The letter bears about the dying of the Lord Jesus through constant crucifixion and dying to self and sin, with the consciousness of being God's servant to represent Christ and live the life Jesus lived, speaking and walking circumspectly so the light of Christ is revealed in daily life. Even unlearned and ignorant men became such living letters when grace and truth reigned in their hearts, inspiring and purifying their lives and controlling their actions as living representatives of the mind and spirit of Christ. This character produced glorious results in ministry, yet it brought hatred and persecution from all who would not receive the truth preached and who despised the cross.
Unity and oneness are part of the letter, for the world sees Christ's life exemplified in believers' harmony and love for one another. Visible character and works reveal what kind of tree believers are and provide the evidence of discipleship, and as branches of the Living Vine they bear precious fruit that serves as God's badge showing them to be His sons and daughters. When lives testify to the truth's sanctifying and holy-making power they continually shine as examples and light that can lead others to Christ. Attitudes, words and spirit shape that witness, with Christ dwelling in the heart and unity and love made visible to others.
Becoming this letter is sanctification through obedience to Christ and holiness of soul, body and spirit, formed by Christ's indwelling grace and matured by looking to Jesus. By faith the believer enters into sympathy with Christ's cleansing work in the heavenly sanctuary, with thoughts engaged and conversation burdened by it, laboring together with God to cleanse the sanctuary of the soul from everything offensive to Him. That cleansing puts away evil surmising, envy, jealousy, enmity, hatred, love of self and being puffed up, and refuses to grieve the Holy Spirit, reproducing the example of Christ's life and the consistency of His character. Then godliness, sobriety, consistency and the gentle attractive influence of Jesus mark life and example, and influence becomes far-reaching for all to read.
Living faith that makes believers letters is obedience in action, controlling conduct and sanctifying life until changed into Christ's likeness, seeing His excellence and realizing the sufficiency of His grace. It divests of selfishness, bigotry, spiritual pride, self-centeredness and idolizing of self, makes imitators of Christ meek and lowly in heart, and prepares believers to meet the Saviour when He comes with power and great glory. Where Christ abides in the heart there are deep yearnings for the salvation of unbelievers, anxiety to practice the good works of Christ, and refusal to seek riches for display and self-glory or to spend on selfish gratifications in house and person. Words and example thus become a continual sermon presenting a crucified and risen Saviour to those in darkness, consecrating strength, children and property to Christ's service, using every penny to bless others and carry the good news to perishing souls, making manifest treasure laid up above, life hid with Christ in God, and hope to appear with Him in glory. Neglect of this practical faith misses opportunities for good works to lead people to glorify God.
Ministers and Teachers as Epistles
Ministers and teachers of truth are especially to be living letters read by all, sanctified by the truths they preach and showing the mind and Spirit of Christ. The teacher proves his call by likeness of character to Christ the Chief Shepherd, illustrated in his own character and home life, with life giving force to speech as Jesus' pure holy heart gave convincing power to His words. Their words and character are to represent Christ and display the Bible standard of Christian character, with thoughts refined and conversation reflecting heavenly things as the Spirit controls the passions and Christ dwells in the heart by faith. Their lives and conduct make faith visible to the world in cleanliness, purity, and freedom from every appearance of evil.
A minister becomes such a letter when his own life represents the sanctifying truth through reformation, experimental knowledge of Scripture, an opened heart, and meekness and lowliness of heart under the Spirit's control. This requires a cleansed fountain that no longer uses strong, hard, unbecoming, unchristian language toward brethren nor excuses self by appeal to sympathy, overcoming hereditary and cultivated tendencies as a new man in Christ Jesus with Jesus formed within as the hope of glory, broken by falling upon the Rock. Then the power of the Holy Spirit accompanies his words, while lives warmed by His love and transformed by truth can lead others to higher attainments, better actions, greater faithfulness, and salvation from sin. All arguments, prayers, exhortations, warnings and reproof without His Spirit are as sounding brass and worthless for saving souls. That inward ministry keeps going forward, conforming character to the character of Christ, and is found in the worker who most deeply feels his own weakness, unworthiness and helplessness, casts himself on Christ, and has the contrite and humble spirit with whom the high and holy God dwells to revive.
Messengers of God are Christ's letters read by all only when they live the truth, and the letter opened before revilers of truth is their attitude, words and spirit. A tame, lifeless ministry and lifeless character cannot serve this purpose, for missionaries need the Holy Spirit and a missionary spirit to reveal truth as righteousness and power in human lives expressed in loving, fruitful service. Wrong attitude, harsh words, exaggeration of the enemy's power, and flashing human judgment and passion give enemies advantage to justify falsehoods and dishonor God as strange fire. Learning personal weakness by experience and trusting Christ alone as sufficiency, not trusting self for a moment, makes the epistle right.
Ministers bearing solemn last-day truth must be patterns of piety free from selfishness, with benevolence dwelling naturally in them and ashamed of selfish acts toward their brethren. Their fruit is holiness, and their spirit, objects, and desires are the opposite of worldlings because by accepting divine truth they become servants of God and are no longer children of darkness and servants of the world, chosen out of the world by Christ. Their heavenly conversation and self-denying, self-sacrificing, blameless life has convincing power that leads unbelievers into all truth and to obedience to Christ. As living examples like Christ they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth with a saving influence as Christ's representatives on earth, not laboring for gain or inspired by earthly things but overbalancing every earthly attraction with eternal considerations, laboring only to please God with an eye single to His glory and enjoying the reward of doing His will.
Every worker in God's service may become such a living epistle openly seen and understood by everyone through the grace and wisdom God has provided. It is fulfilled by watching unto prayer, putting self in the background and forgetting self entirely, living not to save reputation but to save perishing souls from perdition, uplifting Jesus instead of self, becoming channels through which living water flows to refresh others, and daily showing others how they may gain truth and righteousness. It requires faithful painstaking discharge of duty while watching for souls as those who must give account, removing every stumblingblock from the way of others, and earnest warnings and entreaties with tender solicitude for those ready to perish, so that souls are won to Christ. This witness is strengthened by personal care for those who need help and light, habitual communion with God, and growth in grace and knowledge of Christ, showing a character shaped by divine wisdom rather than own spirit and careless words. Failure through lack of spiritual discernment and vital piety leaves workers answerable to God, who will require at their hands the souls for whom they should have labored.
Readable Lives in Daily Callings
Families are to be living letters from God that all around can see and read. A family that keeps God's law in an unbelieving community represents Jesus through its life, so its conduct makes faith visible to those around it. Parents become living epistles at home when by circumspect conduct they teach children lessons in religious life and model solid Christian character. To be that letter the love of God must abide in the heart, practical truth must be desired, and God must preside within, so spiritual life stays alive and influence makes associates better and not worse. Love of selfish indulgence and love of the things of the world quenches spiritual life, makes a family a stumbling block, and keeps it from being what the verse requires.
The call does not rest on ordained ministers alone but on every member, student, child and youth to be a living letter in the home, in the church and in the world. Each member is to represent Christ and be the light of the world, seen and understood by all, which calls for much greater watchfulness and untiring diligence. A working church where elders and deacons are alert to make and carry out plans giving every member a share in active work for souls preserves a healthy thriving condition. Students who hear and obey Christ's call, coming for rest, taking His yoke and learning His meekness, lowliness, humility, self-sacrifice and holiness, become living letters known and read through the lives they lead. Even the poor and unlearned become such epistles by becoming students in Christ's school where He teaches true wisdom, living meek childlike trust and true piety, going forth with a Christlike spirit to seek opportunity to engage others, testify what the Lord has done, bring God into life and character, and reveal the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ whom to know aright is life eternal. Though the world does not know or recognize them, they are known by heaven as sons of God.
In publishing houses, offices and institutions a positive and different influence is to be felt, with lives as an exposition of sacred truth showing men are not of the same character as the world and shining as lights amid moral darkness. This takes place when workers show consecration and purity toward every child of God, doing business on principles of justice and equity, judging without partiality or hypocrisy, revealing nothing like oppression, with managers under God's control holding to the spirit of sacrifice in which the work began rather than worldly policy, selfishness and love of money. The character of the heart is understood by the temper of the words, and Christ is the efficiency. In sanitariums and medical work, workers are to be daily living epistles known and read by those they serve, drawing for themselves from the reservoir of knowledge, wisdom, sanctification and righteousness because the work is sacred with results as far-reaching as eternity. Patients are to learn what it means to be bound to Christ and blessed with His light and life by seeing His grace uplifting the whole person in followers' lives. When a caregiver lives in close communion with God, speaks helpful words Christ can use, and prays for the sin-sick soul, Jesus applies the words, God speaks through human lips, the heart is reached, humanity touches divinity, and souls thus won are living letters all know and read, trophies of grace and seals of ministry turning people from material display toward eternal realities.
Managers and guardians of fellow workers in the Lord's institutions are living letters known and read by all. They must first learn to control themselves and stay under the Spirit, abiding in Christ and one with Him, ever looking to Him and receiving strength for every conflict. Position and power give no liberty to bear down on others, and they must not abuse speech by harshness to those who come for directions. They must speak as Christ would speak and act as He would act, with unfailing tenderness and compassion in pleasing agreeable manner, setting a guard over speech and rendering prompt cheerful obedience, because as representatives of the heavenly kingdom they are to live lives of a higher order than those who have not received Christ.
Those who accept Christ have the privilege of reaching a high standard in character and so becoming a living letter all can see and understand, as Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon were. Through the merits of Christ and His imputed righteousness there is no reason not to possess fragrance of character, be recognized in heaven as workers together with God, have saving influence, communicate His goodness, mercy and love to fallen humanity, and be to others a savor of life unto life. Those who hear truth and claim belief yet are not sanctified by it testify that truth has no sanctifying power and make it of no effect.
Long-tested older believers are living epistles known and read of all. Their lives read by others show thorough acquaintance with Satan's wiles, holding banners aloft without turning to right or left from the old paths, remembering the days of old and knowing Him which is from the beginning. They still win victories, ever light-bearers and faithful witnesses whose trumpet gives a certain sound.
Being this epistle requires being spiritually awake and letting Christ who is light and life be seen within, for lifeless professors cannot serve as living letters. People transformed by receiving Christ's fullness and grace become living letters whose character is known and read by everyone, with the Holy Spirit working and speaking through them so life bears witness to faith and reveals truth as righteousness and power in character. Everyone naming Christ's name should be truly converted with the Spirit and mind of Christ and drawn together with Him, instead of misrepresenting truth by sluggish indifference or having a name to live while dead. It requires reconversion, a heart subdued by the Holy Spirit, putting all bitterness and malice out, daily seeking God for strength and grace, and honoring Him by obedient love flowing forth every day and every hour, doing all unto the Lord. It requires carrying the consciousness of being God's servant to represent Christ, following His example and living the life Jesus lived, which invests words and actions with heavenly dignity that refines, purifies and ennobles and makes influence a savor of life and strength to fellow workers. It requires being on guard every moment against rocks, quicksands, perils and the foe's stratagems, remaining faithful, watchful, prayerful and wide-awake, hiding in Christ, always ready for His appearing lest He come suddenly and find them sleeping, and teaching others cheerfulness, watchfulness and faith with prayerful attitude as salt that has not lost savor.
The verse calls believers to openly show identity without concealment and live in harmony with pure principles so truth is not shamed, never being ashamed of truth. This is the best way to reach the higher classes, representing truth's elevating and ennobling character through conduct. Every Christian is to stand on the rock of high noble principle, meet temptation and trial with ministering angels lifting a standard against the enemy, and be brave godly men of principle doing utmost through every temptation to maintain heaven-born principles instead of being hypocrites and pretenders. Each person is a letter others observe and interpret, yet none is fully proved until time and circumstance put character into God's crucible to show gold or base metal. Wrong traits invisible to self are apparent to others, and every base thought and wrong action reveals defect, so rugged traits must come under chisel and hammer in God's workshop until grace smooths and polishes for a place in the glorious temple.
To be this message believers must fix eyes on Jesus, live not for self but for God's glory, and lift up Christ so He draws all. The life itself is to glorify God in serving and praising Him, making His call out of darkness into light visible, and neglecting this through selfishness is failure to be what the verse requires. A believer with true missionary spirit is a living letter known and read by all, with Christ's purity and simplicity seen in humble life testifying to genuine piety from receiving and reflecting light, sharing the divine nature and escaping corruption through lust. Converted unselfish effort to lead others to truth gives visible evidence of conversion and of working together with Him. After wrestling in secret prayer then going out in Christ's spirit to talk with people, anointed for mission, carrying heaven's atmosphere, with well-chosen words and face reflecting the Master, the individual is openly seen and read as light of the world. Then believers shine as light set on a hill, joining thousands of heavenly intelligences waiting to work with them, exerting positive influence as salt and light to make the gospel diffusive and aggressive.