Let brotherly love continue to abound among us.

Grace and peace to you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, who labor so faithfully in the halls of our Bible colleges.

As I reflect on your calling to shape the minds and hearts of the next generation of servants, my heart overflows with thanksgiving for you. Daily, as Paul prayed for the saints in Ephesus, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. You hold a sacred trust: opening the Scriptures, kindling a passion for the truth, and modeling what it means to walk closely with our Lord.

Let us anchor our hearts today in Paul’s profound words from Ephesians 1:15–23.

In this passage, the Apostle does not first commend the Ephesians for their academic rigor or their doctrinal precision—though those matter deeply. Instead, he thanks God because he has heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and their love toward all the saints.

My dear fellow laborers, as teachers of the Word, our greatest lesson is never merely what we impart from the lectern; it is what we incarnate in the hallways, the faculty lounge, and our private lives. Let us ever be mindful of our behavior and our witness. The world watches our college, but more importantly, our students watch us. They look to see if the grace we preach is the grace we extend when wronged, if the patience we lecture on is the patience we show an struggling student, and if the humility of Christ characterizes our ambitions. Let your conduct be above reproach, not out of legalism, but out of a deep, reverent desire that the name of Jesus be honored in every interaction.

Furthermore, Paul prays that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened, that they may know the hope to which they have been called, the riches of His glorious inheritance, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward us who believe. Notice how this great theology immediately translates into community. Because we serve the exalted Christ—He who is far above all rule and authority, who has been placed as head over all things for the church—we are members of His body.

This brings me to a burden upon my heart: let brotherly love continue to abound among us.

In the demanding environment of academic life, it is easy for weariness to creep in, for minor theological nuances to become walls rather than bridges, or for efficiency to crowd out empathy. But I urge you, walk in genuine, sacrificial brotherly love. Bear one another’s burdens. Rejoice when a colleague’s classroom thrives or when God uses them in a mighty way. Forgive one another quickly, just as God in Christ forgave you. When our students witness a faculty marked by deep, authentic affection and unity, they will see the living proof of the gospel far more vividly than any textbook can convey.

Remember the immense power at work within us—the very power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at the right hand in the heavenly places. Draw upon that resurrection strength today. You are not sufficient for this high calling in your own wisdom or patience, but He is more than sufficient in you.

Take courage, my dear friends. Your labor in the classroom, your late hours grading papers, your quiet prayers for students, and your daily acts of grace do not go unnoticed by our Heavenly Father.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, and fill your hearts afresh with the joy of His calling.