Living Letters

Galatians 5:19

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious; sexual is immorality, impurity and debauchery; witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambitions, dissentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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Galatians 5:22

22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

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II Cor. 3:1

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 

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II Cor 3:2 

2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.

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II Cor 3:3

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink, but the spirit of the living God, not on tablets or stone but on tablets of human hearts.

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Central truth: You are a living letter of reference to the life changing power of Jesus Christ.

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Eph. 5:1,2

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

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II Cor. 2:15,16

15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are the smell of death; and to the other, the fragrance of life.

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Application

1. Remember that you are the only Bible some people will read. Take that awesome privilege and responsibility seriously.

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2. Get to know Jesus well so you can live like Him and reflect what He has done in your life.

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3. Allow someone in your life that will be honest with you about the areas in your life where you may need to improve to be a better reference for Christ.