Now, as God’s fire is burning among us, it is essential to know that there is something that is called strange fire, so we can be on guard against it, for it is not genuine, but counterfeit. Wherever there is real money there tends to be some counterfeit money. And wherever God’s fire is, there is also a tendency for strange fire to burn. God’s fire is a holy fire. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11. Holiness is the direct opposite of all kinds of sin and works of man. God’s fire is that pure, divine fire of love whose only aim is to help and perform the good, to say and do what is for the others’ salvation and edification, when there is a need for gentleness as well as for strictness. Strange fire (see Leviticus 9:24—10:2) does not proceed from God but from man and is the result of a zeal for furthering one’s own will and opinion and for self-assertion. Politicians (for example) can speak with fire and ardor, carrying the masses with them. Just think of Hitler. This also applies to the religious realm. One can even give one’s body to be burned (1 Cor. 13:3) just to assert oneself and one’s opinion. There are no limits to the things for which a person can be passionate with fire and zeal, even when it comes to opposing the church (for example, Paul before his conversion). Undoubtedly, the person loves whatever he is so passionate about, yet it is the very opposite of God’s fire of love! Let us be on guard against all kinds of strange fire, and rather seek to be filled with God’s flaming fire of love and melt together in it! The manifestations of this fire of love are very easily recognizable, as are the manifestations of strange fire. This adage is very apt when it comes to strange fire: “Much bleating, but little wool.” It is often the case that the voice gets louder when you are filled with the Holy Spirit and fire. Moreover, it is also true that then the many manifestations of true, pure love increase and that fellowship becomes so much warmer and more sincere. However, it is also a fact that you can have a loud voice, even a very loud voice, without life and fellowship with the others becoming better. Shouting can also become a habit even though the inner relationship is not particularly good. In such a case one can rightly say that this strange zeal is a surrogate, a bad substitute for the ardor of pure love. Therefore, my beloved friends: Only what is genuine!!! Every tree is known by its fruits! This is the simplest of all forms of doctrine! Let us altogether act according to this guideline! Yours, devoted for your best—Elias Aslaksen

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12-13. Here we are exhorted to work out our salvation according to how God is working. This is what gives us the proper content. Jesus said that a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things—a treasure of God’s goodness in your inner being, from which you can draw freely and deeply. It takes work, diligence, and faithfulness to come to that, as well as more than one conversion. This is the way of the seed that endures drought, adversity, and trials until it bears mature fruit in a noble and good heart. Luke 8:15. However, if you are more interested in feelings and dreams and being blessed by God than in going on the narrow way, it is all in vain. The exhortation to work out your own salvation is glorious to all those who are willing to prepare their soul for sufferings. The work needs to be purposeful and have a specific aim. When we read that we are His house if we hold fast the confi­dence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end (Hebrews 3:6), then this needs to be the first goal of our work. A person is outside of God’s plan if he is not firm on this point and if he is not constantly and consciously working toward this goal. God has placed in the church various servants to lead each one to the perfect work of ministry. This has to be the aim of the further working out of our salvation. Through faithfulness and endurance we can grow up in all things into Him who is the head. Ephesians 4:15. We need to be clear about the fact that we are His house, and we need to have given ourselves in such a way that we can feel the burden of the sacrifice (Revelation 2:24-25); otherwise it does not lead to any­thing. We will be found wanting if we have thrown off the yoke. There are no limits to what God will do for someone who has started to work purposefully and who is working faithfully on his salvation. They will partake of a fullness and a treasure of goodness without end. It is blessed to possess a testimony concerning God’s goodness even though one has only made a little progress on the way of salva­tion. However, if we have a word from the Holy of Holies, its effect will be much deeper and more powerful. Behind all this is work, and this is precisely what we are exhorted to.Trygve Sandvik