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In the death of Christ, a work took place which angels desire to look into. Here One died for all, which is why we judge thus, that all died. God is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. The body is dead; therefore, every sin that a man does is outside the body. Now our bodies have been washed with pure water by having our sins forgiven. Sin outside the body has been removed. So we are found in the body, which is the body of Christ; for there is only one body. In this body, which is the church, the Mediator carries out His work as a mediator. The Mediator gets to work right from the very beginning. Everyone who is in the Spirit is baptized with one Spirit to be one body. This means an earthly body. Thus, this earthly body cannot serve sin, just as Christ’s earthly body did not serve sin.

We are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone; this is Christ and the church. It is written: “Those who have fallen asleep in Christ,” and “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.” In other words, we are found in death in the body of the Lord; what a tremendous joy! In the body we can go from light to light and from power to power by having the blood of Christ, which is the blood of the body, cleanse us from all sin. From this we understand that there are differences in the resurrection of the dead, for there is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and one star differs from another star in glory—all within the body. He is the One who glorifies His body. In Him all the fullness of the Godhead now dwells bodily (Col. 2:9), for He conquered all principalities and powers in His body.

Now God has raised up Christ with His body, which is why we who have been given a place in His mortal body have also been given a place in His resurrected body; He has seated us in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The bride will be taken from this body just as Eve was taken from Adam. So we understand that our body is identical with His body now. Now we are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life might be manifested in our mortal flesh; but we are only united with Him in the resurrection to the degree that we are united with Him in death. Christ died in weakness, and we are also weak in Him. Christ was made to be sin for us. When we become truly weak, we feel that people are quite right when they mock us; we are fully deserving of it. We are deserving of it when people speak all kinds of evil about us; we are deserving of it when we are downtrodden. This is a taste of what it’s like to be made sin. Paul’s wish was that he could be accursed for his brethren; he desired this in the Spirit: “Would that you all were right, and I was mistaken . . . You are the majority . . . Would that everything you say was true, and I was lies.”

You ask me what I think about you moving to Kristiania. As far as Father is concerned, I think he should just take it easy where he is now since he is so old. In the few years he has left in the service, he should live quietly and not get caught up in any more turmoil. If he wants to go to Kristiania, he can go there after he retires. But for you, things are different. True, there are greater opportunities for a publication in Kristiania, as well as for a business. A worthwhile publication would do well and prosper. I can apply for three months leave with full salary and could help out—if that becomes necessary—and up to one year at half salary after the three months is over. Every year a great many petty officers are laid off here, so I have that option, if I apply. But now I will be on duty from May until approximately January 4, 1909 (probably as ship’s sergeant on the Tordenskjold).

God Himself will drive out workers into His vineyard. During such a tour, a person is separated from the rest of the world and has their hands so full that there is plenty to do all day and right into the evening.

Greetings to you and everyone at home.

Your brother,

Thank you so much for the beautiful picture; it was outstanding.