[This letter is a copy, not the original.]

Thank you for your good letter which I received today. On Saturday evening we had a blessed Bible study at X’s place. We have now spoken a good deal together, and he is quick to understand things. He grasps glorious truths right away. But I really don’t think he will be able to win anyone for the truth because, like so many others, he has a tendency to keep back his sword from blood. This is the reason why so few people win others for Christ. People like to teach, but they shrink back from using the sword. Blessed is he who dares to use it, who believes in using it, and who uses it lawfully. The Spirit rejoices over blood that is drawn by the sword of the Spirit. But only those with authority can use the sword, those who have learned to pass a true and accurate judgment. May we not bear it in vain.

If we are to win someone for the church, it must be through righteousness and judgment: “Do you not judge those who are inside?” But no one on the outside has the understanding to come inside; this can only happen by the sword being satiated with blood. This alone can satisfy the Spirit of truth. The man outside the body must be killed. Let us learn from David, the man after God’s own heart. May there be many men after God’s own heart who will wage the wars of the Lord in our day. Unfortunately, there is too much cowardice; people are afraid of the sight of blood. If we can introduce this exceedingly important teaching into the church in a wise way, we will quickly see greater progress than ever before. But it takes a good ear to understand the law rightly and to use the sword rightly.

In the last Bible study we talked about Romans 8, about the difference between the deeds of the body and the works of the flesh. They had never heard a word about this before. We spoke about going astray from the ways of wisdom and ending up—and finding rest—in the assembly of the dead as a pew filler. Opposition was on the verge of erupting, but there was such a blessed Spirit present that no one had the power to contradict. X was rejoicing. He could be of benefit here if only he understood to wield the sword. What a sorrow that this understanding is so lacking. Paul understood this art and used the sword frequently, as did the Master Himself.

I wonder if the Old Testament priests will be raised up in a new form through the use of this sword. Does anyone have the right and the boldness to come before God without this blood and this sword? I don’t think so. Time and time again, we have seen in a practical way that the person who in his ministry for God keeps back his sword from blood only accomplishes half of his ministry. The Spirit bears witness to this. Every experienced warrior of Jesus Christ has experienced this and will understand. And why should we be called warriors of Christ if we have nothing to fight with and no one to fight against? If God has called us warriors of Jesus Christ, then He has armed us for battle. He also has enemies that we must fight and defeat.

Warm greetings from your brother,