Today I received your very precious letter, which tells me that the light is shining more and more clearly toward the perfect day. God is light, and there is no darkness in Him at all. He dwells in our hearts by faith; that’s why light is shining there. But light also contains heat, so we have both light and warmth in our hearts. What is more, we are planted beside streams of water, so we will surely grow according to the growth God gives—without any anxiety. What you wrote about the convicting work of God’s Spirit was quite clear. For the sinner, this conviction causes pain—deep pain—until he loses his life; but then he also finds life—eternal life. Once we’ve been thoroughly convicted of our sin and we receive the Master, we become thoroughly convinced of righteousness, because Jesus has risen and gone to His Father, and we see Him no more. John 16:10. Then faith has come. Why would we need faith for something we already see? That is why we are also blessed, for blessed are they who do not see and yet believe. I take delight in being persuaded by the Spirit through the Word that we are totally righteous. The entire Scriptures testify that we are perfect—without spot or wrinkle. If we were not totally righteous, then Christ’s death would be imperfect. But now, “after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.” Heb. 10:12. This sacrifice is sufficient for all eternity, and he who believes does not act hastily.

God’s Word is what matters, so it is a joy to see you searching for light there. He who seeks, finds. Personally, I have searched and “dug” much in God’s Word, but I have also found much that makes me certain and strong in God. However, there is so much more to search for, because He surpasses all knowledge. His Word never fails. It solves its own mysteries, just as riddles and parables are solved. The Scriptures are closed until the One who opened them for the two on the road to Emmaus opens them for us. Then our hearts burn within us because of the penetrating light and warmth. But such revelations are only given when it is profitable. 1 Cor. 12:7. If we are zealous, more and more of these revelations will soon become profitable for us. However, for the indifferent person, what he already has is more than enough. Indeed, even what he has will be taken from him. But we can increase our “talent” and receive a good testimony from the Master, entering into the Father’s joy on that Day.

There is only one fellowship and only one faith. This fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. God is not a Catholic, a Presbyterian, a Mormon, a Baptist, a Lutheran, or a Methodist, but He is: “I Am.” We are to be perfect just as our heavenly Father is perfect. God will not allow Himself to be named after a person, because He Himself gives life and breath to all. No one dares to name Him after Luther, or Paul, or Cephas, because it is unheard of for the older to be named after the younger. By Him everything is named after the Father, whether it is in heaven or on earth. We are the bride of Christ, which is why we have received His name on our foreheads. If my wife wanted to take another man’s name, she would have to go and be with that other man whose name she has taken, just like the coin which the Master looked at and said, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Why should we call Christ’s bride Mrs. Luther, Mrs. Wesley, or Mrs. Joseph Smith? Did Luther, Wesley or Joseph Smith die for us? No, absolutely not! Adultery, murder, and factions are of one father, that is, the devil. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved than the name of Christ. The sword of the Spirit, which is living and sharp, is more than able to keep open waters around that precious name. There will surely be a chasm between the name of Christ and the names of the sects. There is to be no connection between the rich man and Lazarus.

The King is the head of the Lutheran church; but right now we don’t have a king in Norway,5 so obviously the State Church has lost its head. It remained a headless body for a while until the Norwegian government became its head. That a head can be changed so quickly and attach itself is totally unnatural.

However, the head of God’s church is Christ. If you read Revelation 17:3, you will find the harlot sitting upon the beast. Don’t all the state churches also sit upon the states? It is from the national governments that the “spiritual ones” (?) receive their salaries. Isn’t that the same as being “carried” by the beast?

We took nothing from the Gentiles, Paul writes. Appointing a priest according to the law of a fleshly commandment to care for souls is of little value. We ourselves are kings and priests, and Christ is our High Priest, who did not become one according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life. Heb. 7:16. We are descendants of this High Priest, because we are bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh. This is the doctrine of Christ. All other doctrines come straight from the devil, even though people try so hard to uphold their traditions. It is enough just to hold to the name of Christ.

However, it is possible to gain a certain carnal esteem by adopting the name of the State Church and seeking refuge in its bosom. One thing is certain: the foundation of the State Church is the State, but no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, which is Christ. If anyone is able to convince me in the Spirit of God and through the Scriptures that I have written a lie and that the State Church is of God, I’m willing to stand corrected, because I can do nothing against the truth.

I haven’t reproved you, dear Aksel, for being in the State Church—far from it! Jesus didn’t even reprove the woman who was caught in adultery; but He did say one thing to her after she was convicted: “Go and sin no more.” From everyone to whom much is given, much will be required. Each of us is pleasing to God according to what he has, not according to what he does not have. Paul writes to Timothy: “Convince, rebuke, and exhort.” This is our work too: not to first rebuke, but first convince, because only someone who has been convinced can be rebuked. Chastisements hail down on every side, but there is precious little being done to convince people.

I was delighted to hear that it is now going well with Selma. I could see that she was not far from the kingdom of God last autumn in Arendal. Hopefully she will also be direct, open, and forthright on the new way on which she has begun.

We don’t ever need to be hypocritical with one another. Let’s just be open about whatever is on our hearts and cleanse out everything so that we can love each other fervently with a pure heart. Only pure hearts can melt together. Impurities act as insulation. It is useless trying to conceal anything. The Spirit, who searches all things, will find it in an instant.

So, wishing you all the best. I really like your long letters; contrary to your intention, this one was quite heavy-going, but we needed to resolve things here and now. Next time you can write twice as much.

By writing about these things, we ourselves can receive extremely good instruction, because light often comes as we write. We also learn to express ourselves as clearly and concisely as possible.

I have submitted my resignation to the Oddernes election board; you know I lived near Gimlemoen in May 1903. At that time I needed to be involved, because there were very important issues. Apart from that, I have never voted.

I would really enjoy it if we could talk face-to-face. We have lots of room here now, if you want to come.

I believe that Ludvig has a lot of confidence in you. Perhaps you might be able to win him. He needs salvation; then everything else will fall into place.

Greet Selma and everyone at home. I received Father’s letter.

Your brother,