1. Malachi, called to be a servant of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to our dear brother David, a leader in the body of Christ:
2. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers, for the work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in your stewardship over the flock of God, among which the Holy Spirit has made you an overseer.
4. Yet, I feel compelled by the love of Christ to remind you, my brother, that with great authority comes greater responsibility.
5. You are not your own; you were bought with a price.
6. Therefore, honor God with your body, your words, and your actions, for you are an ambassador of Christ, as though God were making His appeal through you.
7. It has come to my attention that there are times when you seem to have forgotten the weight of your calling.
8. Remember, you are under the watchful eyes not only of your congregation but also of those outside the church who look upon you to see Christ.
9. Every word from your mouth, every action you take, reflects not only on you but on the entirety of the church you represent.
10. Our Lord Jesus, the Head of the Church, walked in humility and spoke with grace, seasoned with salt.
11. He was aware at every moment that He represented the Father.
12. As His servant, I urge you to imitate Christ in all you do.
13. Be mindful of your speech, for by your words, you will be justified or condemned.
14. Let your conversation always be full of grace so that you may know how to answer everyone.
15. Exercise caution in your conduct, not indulging in the passions of the flesh or the fleeting pleasures of this world, which wage war against the soul.
16. Instead, show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works in doctrine, showing integrity, reverence, and sincerity.
17. You must also be vigilant in your teaching. Hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught so that you may be able to instruct in sound doctrine and also rebuke those who contradict it.
18. Your life is an epistle known and read by all. Let it be written with the ink of the Spirit, not with the ink of reckless abandon.
19. Do not let your position make you forget the humility with which you must serve.
20. Lead by serving, and serve by leading, just as our Savior washed the feet of His disciples.
21. I write this not to reprimand you but to build you up, to encourage you in the most holy faith, and to remind you that you are a steward of God's mysteries.
22. Let your life be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
23. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
25. Malachi, your fellow servant in Christ.
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