What are the last words you say to people when they depart a gathering? Or you’re leaving from a family visit? Most of the time we say something casual: see you later, love you, bye, peace out cub scout. And if you’re closing out an email it can be even shorter. In the epistles, the letters, of the New Testament the authors took this as the opportunity to bless and encourage the people who would read their letters.
Many of the letters had strong instructions or deep difficult corrections that would not be easy to hear but were ultimately necessary. And just like a good parent correcting their children the most important thing of all was for the recipient to know that they are loved. You only give your strong feelings toward people you love or people you hate. Indifference is indifferent it doesn’t care one way or the other.
Even when the instructions are harsh the authors close their letters by giving glory to God. Paul closes Ephesians (6:23-24) by saying, “23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”
At all times, our priority is found in giving glory to God. At all times, our priority is reminding others of the love of God. At all times, we can work to show people the grace of Jesus Christ. It’s easy to forget. We rarely leave some place not knowing if we are going to see those people again, but life is unpredictable. We should do our best to share the encouragement and joy that we have with the people around us.
The next time you say good-bye, think about how you want to be remembered. Think about what is most important for the people you’re around to know (or remember) about you.