Thank you very much for your good letter, which brought me much joy and comfort in Christ Jesus. Now we are in Namsos. Yesterday I went ashore to the Salvation Army, but I felt opposition toward the captain before she began speaking. My testimony wasn’t well received either, except for one young girl on the platform who you could see had taken it to heart. It’s remarkable: When you testify about victory in Christ, people don’t accept it, but when you testify about all kinds of problems and obstacles, people rejoice. I feel very lonely in such situations. I had the same feelings at the Salvation Army in Vardø and at the Salvation Army in Copenhagen. When you feel this, and you are sure you are experiencing opposition in your spirit toward certain people, then it is important not to be a hypocrite. I couldn’t look this female captain in the eye without declaring war on her—without words.

She couldn’t look me in the eye either. This is something strange. I have noticed it for years, but I have never been as conscious of it as I have been recently. I have noticed the same thing with a lot of people. Being faithful here is a fierce battle and a tremendous victory. I suppose this is what Paul meant when he wrote that he was the aroma of death leading to death among those who are perishing and the aroma of life leading to life among those who are being saved. However, I believe that it is only those who are in more forward positions who manifest themselves in this way. By this I mean the more assertive and dominating spirits; the others you don’t notice so much. Perhaps as our senses develop more in this area, we will be better able to detect them. I expect you have experienced this as well. What I especially notice, as time goes on, is that I become more alone, and that I become more and more adept at being alone. It was probably in this way that Christ became separate and trod the winepress alone.

Everything becomes more clear; however, the opportunity for sin also becomes more clear, and thereby the temptations are much greater. The light shines over everything and illuminates everything with its true light. If an ungodly person had this light, he could sin all the more, but darkness actually hinders him—and helps him, because light is the judgment once he has sinned. When light comes, temptations become more intense for us, and thus also the sufferings. Everything that is impure is drawn to what is pure. I can only write vaguely about these things, but I’m sure you understand these enigmas because they are facts of life.

When you proclaim victory in Christ, you proclaim judgment over those who do not overcome. This causes them to distance themselves and hate the person who proclaims such a message. It was this message that most angered the Pharisees. “This is a hard saying,” people say, “who can understand it?”

The Word has this effect on all who are under judgment. But the more pressure that is exerted on the body of sin, the greater the desire for release; therefore, the temptations are much greater for such a person. We should be aware of all these things in order to be able to resist the devil, steadfast in the faith (in the suffering); then he will flee from us. It is after a short period of suffering that we will enter into an eternal weight of glory. Christ glorified the Father here on earth. We glorify Christ and the Father by bearing much fruit. Soon our hourglass will run out, so let us take it to heart to be well-pleasing to Him. God gives me grace and victory in my service and with my superiors. Everything is going very well. I have asked God to cause things to come into place at the right time, regarding my service, and so far He has done this in an amazing way. It is God who exalts and who humbles. Therefore, we can safely allow things to play out, even if it looks quite black.

We might stop in Marviken on the return trip in approximately two weeks.

Am sending you a picture.

Have written a few words to C.P. Wintersborg.

Greet the family and the friends from your brother resting in God’s love,

Here is a special word for you: John 14:21.