A testament is usually of great interest to those whom it concerns. If a poor man, who owed a lot of money, were mentioned in the testament of his rich brother in America, hope and joy would fill his heart. He would read the testament with the greatest care and perhaps seek expert advice to make sure he got everything that was willed to him. What can possibly be compared to the New Testament that came into force through Jesus’ death? Heb. 9:16-17. This testament is reliable and true and delivers what it promises. These treasures that Jesus bequeaths to His fellow brethren, His true followers, are riches that were not easily acquired, but were born of sufferings, tears, and blood. Jesus knew that the battle His followers had to wage here on earth would be hard because of the various tribulations and trials, and that they would need powerful help to overcome. Thanks to this testament His followers do not need to be poor, dejected, and helpless in any circumstance here in this world. Every day we can take from it what we need that pertains to life and godliness. This testament speaks of an abundance of life (John 10:10); an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness so we can reign in life (Rom. 5:17); all grace abounding, so that we can have an abundance for every good work (2 Cor. 9:8); an abundance of joy and sincere love in great trials and afflictions (2 Cor. 8:2); all might according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy (Col. 1:11); the exceeding greatness of power (Eph. 1:19); great boldness (2 Cor. 3:12); an abundance of love for one another (1 Thess. 3:12); abundant thanksgiving (2 Cor. 1:11); etc. From the above we can see what was available to the apostles and the saints who partook of such an abundant life. Unfortunately, one does not usually see much of an abundance of God’s life, love, thankfulness, peace, and goodness among those who call on God’s name. They usually have an abundance of all kinds of other things. Why is this? They get as little out of Christ’s testament as they would if they went to a bank with a testament that was not made out in their name. It wouldn’t help them anything if they begged, cried, and asked the bank ever so much. They would have to leave just as poor as when they came in. Jesus said to a number of people, “I do not know you.” We have to receive a name in heavenly places as one of Jesus Christ’s genuine brothers, with the same Spirit of Truth and the same mind, if we want to get these riches that He has bequeathed to us. We learn to know Him, and He learns to know us by our daily faithfulness in fellowship with Him, in light and purity. He knows those who are His and is known by them. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Rom. 8:17. May our hearts be entirely absorbed by the contents of the New Testament, so that we do not—as the many—only carry the New Testament in our pocket because it is so small and such a handy size.Aksel J. Smith

When others think that by having sin they are sinful, and we are asked by them whether we teach that Jesus had sin in the flesh, it would be wrong to answer “Yes.” The only correct and true answer would then have to be, “No, we neither believe nor teach that; on the contrary!” If someone, who by sugar meant salt, asked me if a bag of salt contained sugar, I would have to answer just as decisively and firmly “No”—if I knew what he meant by it—so as not to leave him with a wrong impression of the bag’s content. If I had answered “Yes,” which would have been factually correct, I would have been guilty of the person believing and passing on to others that the bag of salt contained sugar. It should be abundantly plain and clear to everyone that we believe and teach that Jesus Christ was holy and pure, since we believe in salvation and the atonement. Moreover, through faith in Him we live an overcoming life. It is no wonder that expressions we have used with regard to Christ manifested in the flesh have been misunderstood, or that people thought the expressions used were incorrect and consequently could not use them themselves, when the wise apostle Paul called Christ manifested in the flesh a great mystery.Elias Aslaksen

Those whom God has appointed to serve in the church of God must do so, as we read in Ephesians 4:11: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers.” A gathering of the church should be charac­terized by the knowledge and power of all these servants. Everybody in the church should take part if this goal is to be at­tained. The one who leads the meetings must keep in mind that the purpose of the meeting is to help all those who are present, so that they can grow up to the place in the body which God has ordained for each of them. The sisters can encourage their husbands to be servants in the church. The brothers must live so wholeheartedly for God, that He can use them when He takes some of them and appoints them in the church as His servants. The sheep and lambs will feel at home; they will rejoice and re­ceive nourishment as the perfect ministry in the church is made mani­fest. When brothers grow up to be servants of the Word in the church, they provide the necessary “breath of fresh air” at the meeting and all—around spiritual food. Then there will be an end to meetings “standing or falling” on account of one brother, so that when he is absent the meeting “doesn’t get off the ground.” Every brother needs to come into a holy need in order to become a useful brother in spirit and in truth, to be a scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven—to bring forth things new and old. It is easy to sin on this point by quenching the Spirit instead of encouraging in the Spirit. Having a desire to speak is not sufficient reason to do so! One must be driven by the Spirit. It is dull and uninspiring when brothers get up and make long speeches because they think they have to fill out the time at the meeting. Such things must not occur in the church of God. Everything that is brought should be fresh and anointed—then it will be a blessing. A servant of God must be inspired and speak with zeal and enthusiasm, whether he is speaking to one or to many, so that it will not be tiring, but blessed, if he brings something old. It is good when an assembly meets on biblical ground. It does not take much effort to bring the outer framework in order. However, everybody must see to it that the Spirit is leading and guiding within this framework. God’s church is far too exalted and holy in which to serve with uncircumcised heart and ear. We must have a holy fear and reverence for God and for those whom we shall serve.Trygve Sandvik