Thank you for your good letter. I can’t find the ink, so I am using a pencil. Today I’m staying on board. We haven’t received our sailing orders yet, but we expect them any time now. God’s faithfulness is a steadfast support for me in tribulations, which are so necessary for me. Therefore, I am quite content, for the Lord will deliver me when it pleases Him. In my duties on board God is allowing things to go well for me, though not too well and not too badly, as was written in the last edition of Det Gode Budskap. Too well would make me high-minded, but too badly would make me despondent. That’s why all God’s ways are level; they are paved and straight. High-mindedness and faintheartedness will not prevail among His elect, but humility and power will give success.

You wrote about the boys on Tordenskiold Street and called them “our boys.” Have you thought that over? Wouldn’t it be better if you and the clique you are in were “their boys” so the boys could have the joy of knowing that everything belonged to them? When you call them “our boys,” they will feel as though they are subject to you as your slaves. On the other hand, if you were to give them the understanding that you were their boys, then liberty and joy would blossom; then you yourselves would become their foundation because you went under them and let them rise above you. This is how the apostles and prophets became the foundation and Christ Jesus the chief cornerstone. If we are to be formed as pillars in God’s temple, then we must be able to bear someone resting on us; for it is the pillars that bear the weight. In order to bear the weight, I myself must go underneath, and in this way I will be among the greatest. Paul did not say “our boys,” but he said, “All things are yours”: Paul, Cephas, the world, life, death—all things are yours; but you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. In this way, God becomes all in all.

You will do well to press into God’s kingdom and in this way take it by force. Everything must be sacrificed. The heart must be circumcised—completely. All connections with the world must cease and be cut off. Our eyes and ears must be closed to the world and open to the things that are above, so it can be as it’s written: “Who is blind but My servant, or deaf as My messenger whom I send.” Losing our carnal senses means surrendering to Jesus’ death, but then His life will be manifested in our mortal flesh. God’s Spirit will never take carnality and honor into account in this foundation. That is why Christ has become a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and all those who believe in His name are conformed to the same image. He who is nothing is greatest in God’s kingdom, and conversely, he who would be great is nothing.

Don’t let yourself be called “teacher,” for One is your Teacher—Christ; but you are all brothers. All these things only fall into place when a person receives God’s Spirit with all the power of Pentecost in his life and as his driving force. A person who has only received the forgiveness of sins cannot grow up in Christ. For that, a person must be born again. It’s possible to preach in such a way that sinners get the forgiveness of sins, and yet not be able to nurture them so they grow up in Christ. How is it with “the clique”? I am sure they have had their sins forgiven, but are you, and they, born again unto a living hope? Can you all speak as the oracles of God? Have you sold everything? Has Christ, the minister of circumcision, circumcised your hearts 360 degrees? Perhaps you would reply like Mrs. Rasmussen: “I won’t sit still and be cross-examined!” Well, I don’t believe you’ll answer like that, because I have the distinct feeling that you love the truth.

It costs something to say from the heart, “My all is on the altar, I’m waiting for the fire.”11

Truslev and I have had some talks together, but my position on board is such that I can almost never let down my guard. I am thankful for each and every one who has said “Yes” to Jesus—God bless them—I’m definitely not “out to get them.” I only want to remind them that after Israel was saved from Pharaoh and the Egyptians by the Red Sea, they were saved from the wilderness by the Jordan. The fruits of the promised land were more glorious than the manna in the wilderness. But none of that generation entered into the land except the two who believed. True, the younger generation did enter in, but they were dead in their fathers, because death was required. However, since they themselves hadn’t died, Joshua could not bring them into spiritual rest. But Joshua had spiritual rest as a result of his faith, because he didn’t care that he looked like a grasshopper in the eyes of the land’s inhabitants. He could only do this because he was dead to himself and his own strength.

Samson’s strength was in his faith. His faith and his long hair signified faith and works. When he let his hair be cut, he was unbelieving, and his strength vanished. No doubt it was a fierce battle when he tore apart the lion, but the fruits of victory lay in the lion’s carcass (honey). Here we see that after death comes honey, and what could be sweeter?

Have recently received a letter from brother John Wintersborg. He is happy living on his own in all quietness.

Sincere greetings from your brother,

Greet everyone at home!