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Thank you very much for your good letter. “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness . . . .” Eph. 4:1-2.

Each one of us has our own unique calling within the body—one person in one way and another person in a different way. The intention is that we keep ourselves pure in the place we have been given and grow and develop there. I’ve often noticed that among the brothers these things are not fully understood. Without being aware of it, a person’s flesh can become puffed up to such an extent that they feel competent and wise enough to intervene in the calling and work of others—free to step in and make radical changes. I’ve been witness to this kind of folly time and time again. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. You young ones are strong, it is written, but we pray that you may become perfect [Norw.]. 2 Cor. 13:9.

We see in part and prophesy in part. A person can pound the table in the strength of their youth, thinking they are not afraid to tell anyone the truth. This sounds daring, courageous, and fearless, because they emphasize the small part that they know. But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is in part will be done away with. Likewise, when the things we see in part serve as a link to that which is more perfect, then that part disappears into the whole. In their zeal for the truth, people think they can keep their part all to themselves, but that isn’t possible. Everything must be sacrificed for the sake of the whole. Strength is good, but when it works against the wisdom that is uniting everything into a perfect whole, then this strength—however strong it seems to be—will be broken by the power of God, which is revealed in those who are weak.

I have recently met some people who are strong in the name of zeal, so I want to mention this, because it is easy for a person to become conceited in all their strength. Moreover, it is unwise for them to presume that they are strong enough to be able to evaluate those who are fathers in Christ and to meddle in their work whenever they feel like it. I’m afraid that by doing so, they are opposing God in their high-mindedness. But how true it is: “Though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers . . . .”

I have praised brothers who really weren’t mature enough to receive such praise. If my confidence in them has been excessive, from now on I will seek what is more perfect, so that as much as possible, I may speak the truth in everything. I am hardly exaggerating when I say that within my allotted area in Christ, and within the scope of my ministry, I have sensed some rebelliousness in the spirit. But, by God’s power—that measure which has been given to me—once again everything has been brought to silence. They are welcome to continue their onslaught against me personally; after all, what is man? But what I fear is that by taking upon themselves the role of instructors, they are exceeding the bounds of their calling. Perhaps some must be broken down in this way in order to become weak; but I doubt it, because the Scriptures show us the way of humility that leads to weakness.

You find more than enough light at the poles, but nothing grows there because of the lack of warmth. It’s easy for a person to hammer away with the truth, but it will only be to their own detriment if the grace that always accompanies the truth of Christ is not present. Knowledge without love is sounding brass and a clanging cymbal. The doctrine of Christ tells us that the weaker members shall be given greater honor. If we practice this, envy will disappear.

John came to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers, but the spirit that attempts to draw the children’s hearts away from the fathers is of Satan.

God has laid a stone of stumbling in Zion. I have written this to you because you need to be aware of it. Things can be done in our ministry that not everyone can understand right away. But if they are unable to understand it without repeated and lengthy explanations, then any rash judgments will only be according to the flesh.

All the best, dear brother. Your care for the church has been a great joy both to me and to others.

Greet your family and the precious friends in Hønefoss.

Your fellow servant in the wars of the Lord,