A Letter From The 1st Century…
Two months ago, a letter came in the mail. It was an eye-catching parcel addressed to the church, and from all outward appearances, it looked like it had been sent by someone we knew, personally. Indeed, it was mailed to us by the children in Menomonie’s “Foundations Room” program. A small note inside the envelope read, “Hey gang! We were studying Paul’s letters of encouragement to the churches, so we thought we’d send our beloved sister church a letter! All the words are from the kids alone & in their handwriting (& spelling) Love you guys! Danielle K”
If I’m honest, reading through the pile was a bit emotional. I wavered between bursts of laughter and heartfelt tears. The encouragement they meant by their little epistle had certainly found its mark, and I feel it most appropriate to pass along their words of edification to the rest of our church…after all, it was all of us to whom they wrote. I hope you are as blessed by their words as I am.
The letter reads as follows:
“To the church of God which is at Duluth and all the Sants thar:
Greetings frum the Foundations Room kids at JFBeleavers Menomunie. Grace and peace we are writing to you to encourage you in bilding up your church. I hope it is warming up for you up thar.
I hope you are geting to know each other. more. I hope your new security system works well. We are praying that new people will come over to the church. We’re praying for you, if you get sad or mad, just think of God and that he’s watching over you. God always has enough grace for you, and you can never do too much sin to make him not be able to forgive. Whenever you’re stressed out, just go the Bible for help and encourgement.
We’re really proud of the work you have been doing up there. Keep up the good work. We hope you are encourged by the verses and quotes we are sending you
Love, your church family,
Madison, Micah, Hannah, Caleb, Josie, Sophia”
A 1st Century Reply…
A letter like that truly deserved a response. So, a few weeks later, from my office at the church, I composed an epistle of my own…it read:
“Justin the Elder, called to be a pastor of Christ Jesus to the city of Duluth, by the will of God, and Jesse our brother. To the Foundations Room and all her glorious instructors, along with the church of God in Menomonie and those who are being sanctified in Christ Jesus.
Grace and Peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always for your love and concern, as I continue to do, having received your letter of encouragement. My soul being refreshed by your words I am now able to continue, in the strength of God’s spirit, with the ministry entrusted to me. Having received the consolation of God by your hand, I wish myself to impart to you a gift, if possible, that we may rejoice together in the grace of God. For my joy is found in your rejoicing. I pray that you may prosper in all things and that your soul will be refreshed by the gift. I’m thinking Twinkies maybe. Something like that.
It is my hope that I may see you again before winter if God wills, for the spirit warns me continually of its coming, as the devil seeks to make war against the saints through the use of much ice and of snow. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against blizzards and shoveling caused by principalities and spiritual wickedness in high places that really know how to make life difficult. Nevertheless, we do not lose heart. For the Spirit Himself testifies, that those who persevere in long months of dark and cold will reap the true joys of heaven if they freeze not.
Now concerning livestock. I hear that there are some among you who have ponies? And I do believe it! For there must be ponies among you, that those of you who are spiritual may be edified along with the saints of old. But let not the ponies, nor chickens, nor dogs, nor cats, nor any such thing in the kingdom of God, bring division among you, my little children, for the kingdom of God is not ponies and donkeys, but the Spirit of God in the bond of love.
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin.
Now I urge you, brethren, take note of those who cause division, and tell on them that they may be spanked, for sound discipline is truly painful for the moment, but afterword yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness for those who refuse it not.
I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. When I come, I will bring Ira with me, for he is a true son to me and useful in the ministry, and a beloved brother as you well know.
Greet the friends by name, but stay away from kissing each other with a holy kiss, for “the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable”. The spirit has told me that flu season will be upon us shortly, and I hope to find you in good health when I come. Peace be to you. Our friends greet you. Jesse the Elder greets you. Chelsey greets you. The elect lady Sara and her children greet you in the Lord.
I, Justin, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine. It is the way I write. May the grace of Christ dwell in you richly. Amen!!”
A Promise Fulfilled…
I saw Pastor Tim only recently, and I passed along a package of snacks to be delivered to the kids. In it was a note that said this:
“As I had purposed in my heart a month ago, brethren, to provide for you a gift, so now I seek to complete my desire to bless you as well. Although it be not Twinkies, according to what I had said in my first epistle, I believe that, by the grace of God, you will be blessed by our offering. It is a super-sweet savor to the Lord that tastes like caramel.
For this reason I have sent you Tim, my father in the Lord, whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will deliver this generous gift that is being administered by us, and he will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Amen”
Thanks for the encouragement, kids!
Enjoy the Cracker Jack!
-Pastor Justin (a bond-slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ).