Thank you for your good letter that I received yesterday. With regard to Br. Andresen, Aksel has written to him and has sent him money and has asked how much he still owes. He received a postcard thanking him for the money, but there was no word from Andresen about how much he owes. Aksel sent me the card, and I have enclosed it for you here.

Since this is the situation, I think it is best not to pursue the matter further. We are children of the light and not in debt to the darkness. Br. Andresen has been partially open with us and has been partially helped. I believe this dependence on openness, in connection with helping, must be the right approach. I have written to Aksel about this. May God give us understanding in all things. Br. Pettersen has visited the meetings again. If Andresen opened up fully, perhaps Pettersen would decide to be fully committed. But now the trust is only partial, and the situation has only been partially resolved. Older people find it difficult to grasp the necessity of a thorough cleansing. They have become stuck in their ways and can be content even if everything is not so pure.

We have at least been positive toward him and have given him the opportunity to continue in the same role; but without self-acknowledgement, nothing will help him.

So more work is needed in the spirit before he can get more help. Cursed is he who keeps back his sword from blood. May we always use the sword so that it is satiated with blood. The Spirit requires blood, and it is only cowardice that keeps that from happening.

You requested that I ask Andresen how much he owes. Aksel has already done that but hasn’t gotten any answer. We need to let some time go by before we address it again; perhaps he will come to some acknowledgement. But we cannot have full fellowship without everything being fully in the light. This is a weak point for him, and we shouldn’t be the cause of him hardening his heart. I have written to him again about this matter and have gone a step further without asking how much he owes, so I doubt that he can bear much more at the moment.

He has made a good start, and he will certainly continue, provided our zeal for him does not go too far. How difficult this is, but how blessed it is when it succeeds.

Last Saturday we had a very blessed Bible study in Trondheim. Johan Olsen was there. We spoke about the deeds of the body and the works of the flesh, the law of the Spirit and the law of sin and death. They had not heard about this before. Johan Olsen understands everything but has scarcely any understanding about satiating his sword with blood. Therefore, it is not very likely that he will be able to win anyone. May many more become acquainted with this ministry; however, it seems that “spare yourself” exerts far too great an influence. By using the sword of the Spirit, you risk everything, and you will be hated; but as a result, you will either gain nothing or gain everything.

Aksel is going to marry Helga Haanes this fall. He has sensed that it is God’s will to choose her as his partner in life. He separated from her for a time, for spiritual reasons; but she has thought things over and has decided to follow Christ. May God bless them both.

The priests in the old covenant were the ones who slaughtered the sacrifice; I think it is the same in the new covenant. If we do not understand how to use the sword unto bloodshed, then we understand absolutely nothing about our priestly ministry.

Greet Judith and the friends.

Warm greetings from your brother,

Address: Trondheim.