Dear every Christian I’ve ever known in my entire life,

Well hello there. So nice to meet you, again. Firstly, let’s establish one ground rule: with a letter like this I recognize how easy it is to come off as being condescending and snarky. I’ll try my best not to give that impression, but even if I do sound that way, I’d like you to remember that with all the suggestions, comments, advice, etc. that I give, I also recognize myself as needing it just as much as (and probably more than) any other saint. Fair enough? Play ball!

So much that can be said, and yet there is so little time. Isn’t that always the case? We’ve known each other for so long. We’ve had some bitter times, but we’ve had some really good times too. I’d like to think our pleasant memories far outweigh the negative ones, at least, I’m sure it’s true on my side and I can only hope that it is on yours. Yet, for all the faults that were mine, I do sincerely apologize, at least as much as is possible in such an impersonal forum as this one. I’d say that I never meant to hurt you and that any harm I caused was unintentional, but I’d be a liar. Let’s face it, I’m a sinner (and so are you) but there’s a chance I’ve got you beat at it. In fact, sinning just may be the one singular thing that I most excel at without any outside help. There’s plenty more to say on this, but for the sake of brevity (and not boring you to tears) I will simply and honestly admit that my dealings with other Christians  involved hurtful and selfish motives on many occasions, sometimes purposefully, and sometimes unknowingly. I’m not at all proud of such things, and look back on them with shame and disgust. However, I stand firm in the knowledge that God has forgiven me and I pray that you too would find a way to forgive me from the depths of your heart and in doing so free yourself from a snare with which the enemy would seek to trap you. I forgive you. I hold no grudges and I continue to burn the lists that I’ve made to keep track of every little offense you’ve committed against me (including the ones I made up). If you catch me creating such lists again, do feel free to tell me, for they are only fit for the ash heap and to keep them would be poison my soul. Come, let us speak of these things no more, for they are the past and it is behind us now. Instead we look toward the future, and each new day ahead of us.

I hope you’ve learned much from me, I know I’ve learned so much from you. Yes, sometimes from your mistakes, but mostly from your wisdom, your kindness, your teaching, your sanctification, your love. Such things I’ll not soon forget and perhaps on that Great Day when we are gathered as one we shall be able to recount them all and to see how each one was an integral part in developing the other’s faith. Like cogs we move continuously, not knowing how our movements may impact someone far away who we ourselves never see. I praise God for the way you’ve worked in my life. It was essential. I may not have always appreciated it, but I know without you I would not have gotten far.

I could rattle off whole books of platitudes and clichés on how you should live your life. But what good would that do? You have the Bible, God’s greatest truths revealed, and you have one another to constantly remind, rebuke and exhort you. Plus you’d probably forget the advice I would give. But when has that ever stopped me?  Don’t compromise. I mean it. It never benefits you, at least not in a real and lasting way. Be teachable and humble, life will go so much smoother if you are. Learn from the mistakes of others and also learn from your own mistakes (is that vomit really so appetizing?). Read the Word, pray, be in fellowship with like-minded believers. Always test what you hear to determine its truthfulness. Be sure that your faith is genuine. And if you get to Heaven before I do, just dig a hole and—ok, so it doesn’t work like that.

I look forward to when next we meet, whether it be the near or far side of eternity. I hope that all our time spent together, be it past or future, will not be seen as a useless waste but as a beneficial contribution to the kingdom and the glory of our God who is Almighty.

With prayers, laughter, tears, joy, and love,

Aaron