My last letter to you was covered with tears, composed with great difficulty, and frankly, a broken heart. It wasn’t my intention to depress you or cause you pain; rather, I had hoped you would see it for what it was—a demonstration of the overwhelming love I have for all of you.

So I urge you to demonstrate your love for him once again.

You see, the controlling force in our lives is the love of the Anointed One. And our confession is this: One died for all; therefore, all have died.

And by the Holy Spirit with purity, understanding, patience, kindness, and sincerest love we have proved ourselves.

Because we have these promises, dearly loved ones, out of respect for God we should scour the filth from our flesh and spirit and move toward perfect beauty and holiness.

Take us into your hearts; love us as we love you. You have nothing to fear. We have hurt no one, ruined no one, swindled no one.

His love for you overflows even more as he recalls your obedience and how you respectfully and somewhat nervously, with fear and trembling, took him in.

Just as you are rich in everything—in faith and speech, in knowledge and all sincerity, and in the love we have shown among you—now I ask you to invest richly in this gracious work too.

I am not going to command you, but I am going to offer you the chance to prove your love genuine in the same way others have done.

So welcome them before the community in love; show the churches they represent that I have not exaggerated your charity and kindness.

Giving grows out of the heart—otherwise, you’ve reluctantly grumbled “yes” because you felt you had to or because you couldn’t say “no,” but this isn’t the way God wants it. For we know that “God loves a cheerful giver.”

But now I’m afraid that as that serpent tricked Eve with his wiles, so your hearts and minds will be tricked and you will stray from the single-minded love and pure devotion to Him.

Why am I doing this? It’s not because I don’t love you—God knows I do—

I would happily spend until I had nothing left if it was for you. But just because I love you more, should you love me less?

Finally, brothers and sisters, keep rejoicing and repair whatever is broken. Encourage each other, think as one, and live at peace; and God, the Author of love and peace, will remain with you.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus the Anointed, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit remain with you all. [Amen.]