I see from Aksel’s letter that you are coming to Kristiansand from Denmark. Right now I’m fully occupied with war logistics and hosting the “Europe Week” sailing regatta. Nevertheless, while my body is occupied, my mind is somewhere else. My mind would rather follow the Spirit and thereby improve its condition. A person’s spiritual condition can be said to be constant; it forms the basis for their spiritual strength. It is not something that can be exhorted or faulted; it is the life and power that they have gained. On the other hand, we, as conscious beings, can be praised or faulted, all according to whether—and to what extent—we choose either death or life while in this mortal flesh.

Likewise, the body of sin cannot be attacked; but the old man can be kept crucified, and then the body of sin will be destroyed. Where sin in the body is completely and perfectly united with the mind, “the man of sin” (the Antichrist) comes into being. But where the will of God was accomplished by faith in every respect, Christ came into being, in whom the whole fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily.

It is absolutely necessary to suffer and be comforted in order to be able to comfort others. The soul that suffers on account of the truth and obedience can never be comforted by anything other than the comfort that someone else has been comforted by in the same circumstances. A doctrine about comfort is hollow. It only intensifies the pain and increases the separation.

We should not seek comfort for comfort’s sake, but for the sake of our weakness, so that we don’t utterly perish in the fire. God does His greatest work where no comfort is given. But who has attained to such a degree of weakness that death is a comfort?

The most perfect thing is to bear the truth without grace; but when grace is not in vain, its comfort will sustain life unto death, in order that our “condition” can develop in fullness of life and the body of sin can be driven out by the life of Christ. If this relationship in grace and truth were to be broken, the person would become hardened, and salvation would not be perfected. Yet, what is grace other than God’s longsuffering? For all those for whom grace has labored in vain, this longsuffering will come to an end on the day of vengeance; because where grace has been in vain, vengeance will not be in vain.

Therefore, let our race not be in vain lest we be overtaken by vengeance; for both grace and vengeance come from one and the same Lord, and both shall overtake those to whom they are sent.

Let us strengthen our spiritual condition, moment by moment, because in doing this, the real substance or value of our lives and the reward for our efforts will be preserved.

Life on board is difficult for the flesh, but it has always been of great blessing to me. God is at my side, and He guides people’s hearts so that each and every person makes their own contribution to our spiritual education.

Greet everyone at home, and warm greetings in the fellowship of the Spirit to both you and Aksel.

Your brother,

Address: Valkyrjen, Horten