“He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” Is. 53:7.

You have heard some people say that they are under the blood on a daily basis, etc. This is a completely false understanding. We are to overcome on the cross. Christ triumphed over principalities and powers by overcoming them on the cross. People would prefer to overcome by the blood, because then they think they are free from the cross. But the point is: first the cross, then the blood. It is in the power of the eternal Spirit that we are able to endure the cross, not in the power of the blood. But the Spirit has been sent to us in the power of the blood. However, this is something totally different from us overcoming by the blood. We do overcome by the blood, but not without the cross. There is no blood without the cross.

Our battle against powers and principalities must be waged on the cross. We must be pure in our battle, and when ungodly people defy all persuasion and everything that is right, we must suffer patiently, committing everything to Him who judges righteously.

In this state, we are like a pure and silent lamb being led to the slaughter. Only such pure lambs can be used by God as sacrificial offerings. In every situation where sacrifice is required, this is the way we must go. We must be silent toward our shearers and be pure as a dove.

Christ died in weakness. Paul said that we are weak in Christ. The image of the Lamb must develop in us.

I just wanted to send these few words. My address for the next two weeks is:

Yesterday, Br. Ellefsen and Aslaksen visited me at home. Aslaksen will be promoted to lieutenant this fall. Little Aksel reached out his arms to me and wanted to come to me yesterday, even though I had been away for eight days. Johanne did not want to go to bed; she sat and slept on my lap in the living room while we talked together. Kristian and Rakel stick to a routine and don’t let anything bother them.

God willing, I’m probably going to have shore leave in Kristiansand on the evening of August 25 from approximately 6 p.m. to midnight. I reckon that I will be given shore leave on the two Sundays when I am in Arendal, since I’m on board today (Sunday) in Horten.

Greetings to everyone at home.

Your brother,

I don’t know whether you are staying at Solheim or in town.

I asked Aslaksen to visit you and Father when he comes to Kristiansand, and he said he would be happy to do that. He is on board the Frithjof.