Thank you very much for the good card you sent from Sarpsborg and for your letter from Hønefoss. It was a great joy to hear that you are there. God has given you grace to deal with people individually and to deal with the situation thoroughly, so I’m very pleased; because a man of God with such gifts is precisely what is needed in Sarpsborg right now.

The church there has now taken the right stance. But I understand, as you have also said, that they are in great need of instruction. And now, as you have seen firsthand, they acknowledge that. I believe you have a great task ahead of you in the calling in which God has equipped you to minister in the church. To be sure, you have forsaken much, humanly speaking, but God will repay you in double measure.

You mentioned that something wasn’t clear in this year’s second issue of Skjulte Skatter. As I understand it, you are referring to this: “After we have been united with Christ in the body of His flesh, we are set free from the curse of the law, and we become partakers of the law of the Spirit. The purpose and goal of this law is to destroy sin in the flesh, or in other words, the destruction of the body of sin.” Rom. 6:6.

I don’t see what’s unclear about this. The Spirit baptizes us into one body. But there is a law in the Spirit (the law of the Spirit) which always separates my “I” from sin in the body. My “I” is to be saved, but sin in the body is to be destroyed. The goal and purpose of the Spirit is the destruction of the body of sin. This separation within the body could not take place under the old covenant, but it does take place in Isaac. When they were both still in their mother’s womb, it was said of them: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Our mind, when united with sin in the flesh, is Esau, the oldest. But the one who comes forth once the law of the Spirit has set me free from the law of sin and death is called Jacob. The Spirit drove the body of sin out of Christ’s flesh, and it does the same in our flesh; but, it always requires our consent on every point. Maybe it’s that last part that isn’t clear enough. I’m certain that you understand it, but if someone you meet has misunderstood it, please explain it to them.

Greet Br. E. Pettersen and his wife, as well as Andresen and any others who might appreciate it. It would be very nice to take a trip to Sarpsborg while you are there. It would have to be on a Sunday, and I would have to leave again that same evening.

We now have 1,375 subscribers. We have about 12 kroner in the Prayer account. I have sent payment reminders about Prayer to Kristiansand.

I think we should work more with those who seem to be equipped to serve in the church than with the others.

Loving greetings.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,