God’s grace and peace in Christ Jesus our Lord. No power can break the bond with which God binds us to the Son. The working of His power within is to bring us to eternal life. His ministry in us is that of a mediator, so that, little by little, God’s nature can come upon us and into us by the acknowledgement of Him who called us with a holy calling. The Word of God is not dead but living; therefore God’s Word can only be spoken by those who are alive. Granted, one who is spiritually dead can recite the Bible, but he cannot speak words that are living. The second Adam became a life-giving spirit—which He would never have become if He had not destroyed sin by death and destroyed death by life. Therefore, it is essential that His work takes place in us so that sin can be destroyed in us by death, and death by life. This is the only way to fulfill the Scripture that says: “For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

It is abominable and very cowardly to whimper and whine when we are faced with losing our life and honor in this world, because losing our life causes true life to break forth, giving us indescribable comfort in tribulation. And in this way, the tribulation is beneficial for us, because Satan’s temptation for us to exalt ourselves because of the light that comes from our life in God can’t get power, because we are willing to suffer. This temptation has no power over us. Therefore, tribulations are profitable for us. That is why it is written that if we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him.

Knowledge brings pain, but pain keeps us from being proud. When pain has reached its peak, it brings forth death, but death brings forth wisdom. Wisdom is light, and in the light there is life. “Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.” Death is necessary so that the knowledge of good and evil can be complete. The fruit of the tree of knowledge does not have its full effect until a death has taken place, and when it has, we have the right to eat of the tree of life and live forever. Christ is the firstfruits, and then those who are Christ’s follow at His coming. Just as Eve was taken from Adam, so we are taken from Christ; thus we are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones. Therefore, as the bride of Christ, we are to be called “woman,” for we are taken from man. Just as Adam was created first, and then the woman, Christ also became the firstfruits, and then those who are Christ’s at His coming. Just as the firstfruits are more nourishing than the second fruits, the man is stronger than the woman, and Christ is stronger than the bride. Once again we see that no one can be greater than his master.

Our foremost concern must be that we do not shrink back from the grace of God. To shrink back from grace is to shrink back from obedience and suffering. No creature escapes the fiery furnace. If we don’t enter it voluntarily, we will not receive grace. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you . . . .” When we find the trial hard, it is a comfort to know that we all share the same lot. And we know we have the same lot because “the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”

It is precious and extremely valuable to write about these things. I know, dear brother, that a trial, a fiery trial, lies ahead of you. Don’t become disheartened when He chastens you, because He scourges every son whom He receives. Don’t draw back, but bear the sufferings and trials patiently so that God’s nature can be planted deeply in your consciousness. Then you won’t just remain a superficial person, but rather a pillar in God’s temple. Don’t follow those who are enemies of the cross of Christ, who know nothing of God. Allow God to complete this operation on the very roots of your heart so that peace, joy, and wisdom can become your possessions for time and eternity. My testimony in Christ is that I hate myself. Since I can neither live to myself nor die to myself, I’ve committed the matter into God’s hands.

Zeal is the power that drives us on in the knowledge of Christ. Those who sleep, sleep at night. Therefore, those who are children of the day must work as long as it is called “today.” We must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, being ever mindful that it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Our part is to be obedient to the voice of God. This is the only way we can work out our salvation. This work is the fruit of faith as opposed to the works of the law, which are bondage.

There is no light in darkness, but darkness glorifies the light. Therefore, darkness must not be honored above the light; for light is much more powerful than darkness, just as that which is nothing is weaker than the Father of strength. Thus we can conclude that when we have battles against the powers of darkness, it is only because we, within ourselves, are darkness; and that the light, which comes so slowly, kills the darkness within us. We call this defeat of darkness, battle against the powers of darkness; but truth be told, our struggle is with God, just as Jacob’s struggle was with God. Therefore, the light that is revealed in us is also called grace, because we have fought a desperate battle against the light, and we have lost, and this loss is called grace. Does this seem backwards, or is it right and we are backwards? Indeed, the crooked cannot be made straight; that’s why God has decided to create something new, and it is only the new creation that matters.

Wishing you the very best. Greetings to those who are at home.

Your brother, sharing in the same trial, hope, and sanctification,

Please write back.