Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you.
14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
I used to hear Garrison Keillor sign off on The Writer’s Almanac radio show with these words. “Be well, do good work, and keep in touch”. It is memorable if incomplete. Paul’s is better. He signed off on this letter to the church in Corinth with a far more comprehensive way to live a life and be a church. Be merciful and peaceful, comfort one another, and keep in touch with God who is with you. He closed it with a summary of who God is as the Trinity. God the Father with his love in sending God the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that draws us to himself and each other.
These verses would be great to have on a sign on the door of the church so those who come to worship would know why, who, and how we worship, and visitors would see a healthy church in action instead of the fleshly churches all over the world. May your church learn from the mistakes of the church in Corinth so that people would say of the church in America, it is well, it does good work, and it is in touch with God, the Bible, and the lost.
Dear Lord, thank you for the instructions for life and your church. Help us to listen to your word and show your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church