He lived a perfect and holy life, gave life to the dead and quickened hearts, healed the sick and forgave sins, taught men the will of God, and practised as He taught. Finally at the close of His life, he offered Himself, according to the eternal purpose of God, as an atonement for the sins of mankind. Whosoever believeth in Him is saved, and whosoever believeth not is condemned, and the wrath of God abideth on him for ever. Thus it is written: "Behold the Lamb of God (i.e., the great sacrifice for our redemption) Who taketh away the sin of the world" (John i. 29). It is also written: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the Great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus ii. 11-13).
My hope concerning you, my brothers, is that, having learnt all this, you will take Christ as your Saviour and your representative (for that day) when there shall avail you neither wealth nor sons, prophets nor apostles.
May God guide you. Amen.
