This is precisely what is lacking in the usual preaching. Why is life not being proclaimed, the new life, the divine life, the mind and being of Christ, His virtues, that which is perfect in all areas and in all circumstances? It is because they do not live such a life themselves, because they have simply not believed the Word concerning such an exceedingly glorious, new creation and have therefore not sought it and been able to partake of it. The Scriptures testify with one voice about such a glorious salvation. However, if a person does not partake of it anyway there are two reasons for it: 1) one lacks this noble desire, and 2) unbelief in the Word! However, faith comes by hearing, and this is precisely why it is so important to speak the words of faith and of the good doctrine (1 Tim. 4:6)—to declare life, the divine life, so that people can receive living faith in it, even in every detail. We partake of it first; then we experience a wonderful growth and increase to God’s glory and praise, and for the benefit and joy of others. Glory to God!Elias Aslaksen

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24. “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:4. Think that that was the intention with what John wrote! This is very significant! It is quite clear that this can occur here during the time of our sojourn, and that our joy can be full! The Scriptures exhort us powerfully to: Rejoice always! This is impossible if our hope is not alive in our inner man. Yet it is definitely possible by means of this living hope. God be highly praised for this hope that accomplishes such great and glorious things in our inner man. Two requirements have to be met before you can honestly say that your joy is full: 1. That it is very great. 2. That it is always present. This wonderful joy consists of two parts: 1. Joy over what God has already done in our life. 2. Joy because of everything He will yet do in the future, joy because He will complete His work in us (Phil. 1:6), and joy over the subsequent, everlasting glory in every sense of the word—both inwardly and outwardly.Elias Aslaksen

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2. The fruit is a sign that the branch is healthy, and the fact that the vinedresser prunes it also shows that the branch is healthy. When John the Baptist saw that many Pharisees and Sadducees came to be baptized, he said to them, “Brood of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” Matt. 3:7-10. Justification requires its fruit, and sanctification requires its fruit. The fruit must appear, otherwise the branch will be removed, since it does not have a true connection with God. When the branch bears fruit, God takes care of it by pruning it so it can bear more fruit. All the branches that are alive grow and make progress. Jesus’ exhortation is unmistakable: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4. Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11. Here Jesus mentions one of the fruits of the Spirit that appeared as a result of obedience, and God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. Acts 5:32. You who doubt, believe it, and put off everything that is of yourself; then God can come to you and give you what you need. He prunes the branch that bears fruit so it can bear more fruit. In this way your life is filled with all the fruits of the Spirit. It must be as it says in a song: “The Spirit shall lead me on, and I His voice will obey.” When the Spirit is given complete control of your heart and your life, you will know the joy of being a branch on Jesus’ vine, bearing fruit for the vinedresser. Then the joy in your heart will have become full! The rich young man heard what Jesus said, but he went away, because he was very rich. What do you do? “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Rev. 3:20. Our own carnal person is our great adversary, because he wants what he wants, but the Word and the Spirit say that there has to be an end of what I want. The rich young man wanted to keep his money and enjoy it. He didn’t see any further than that. What about you? Blessed is everyone who sees the way of faith and walks on it. You will never regret having done it. In Galatians 5:22 we read, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love,” etc. We cannot say that the one has love and the other has joy. You cannot receive just one of the fruits of the Spirit. You have received all the others if you have received love. And if you have not received love, then the other fruits are also missing. Life is subject to growth, and this also applies to the fruits of the Spirit. You grow up to a certain maturity. “Against such there is no law.” V. 23.Andreas Nilsen