“But since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak . . . .” 2 Cor. 4:13. We shall not just believe once in a while, but rather we must be permeated by the Spirit of faith at all times, in everything we say and do. Everything will be blessed and good in the Spirit of faith. This Spirit drives away the most impenetrable darkness. We ourselves can see in this Spirit, and we can help the others to see. The spirit of unbelief, on the other hand, is combined with all kinds of sin, from the greatest impudence to the deepest despondency and discouragement. The devil, who has come to murder, steal, and destroy, operates in this horrible darkness. By this spirit he managed to hinder the children of Israel from entering the Promised Land. They were slain in the wilderness because of their unbelief. The Spirit of faith is united with God and only believes in victory. We read that there was a different spirit in Joshua and Caleb. That was the Spirit of faith. In this Spirit they were to overcome the strongest enemies like a piece of bread, and they were not put to shame. God saw to it that they entered the land as conquerors and enjoyed the glory that was promised. We can only claim the promises if we believe, for it is impossible to please God without faith. Paul was permeated with the Spirit of faith, and how blessed and uplifting it is to read all his writings! He was triumphantly victorious in all kinds of circumstances. “I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” 2 Cor. 7:4. “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:12-13. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” 2 Cor. 2:14. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . .” 2 Cor. 4:17. These are words of faith, to be sure, and you cannot find anything else in the apostles’ letters. James writes in Chapter 1:2, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Peter writes to those who are kept up by faith through the power of God. He writes about the precious faith by which we can partake of the most precious promises about obtaining divine nature by fleeing the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Pet. 1:1-4. The Spirit of faith is one with obedience to God’s Word. Paul had received the apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations, to the glory of His name. Rom. 1:5. There are millions of people who call themselves believers, but the mark of a believer is obedience to the Word. Then one escapes the corruption that is in the world through lust. John writes: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:3-4. In the Spirit of faith we overcome the world and the things of the world. We love His commandments, and they will not be burdensome to keep in the Spirit of faith and love. Jude realized that it was necessary to write a word of exhortation about contending earnestly for the faith that “was once for all delivered to the saints,” because certain men had crept in unnoticed who turned the grace of God into licentiousness. We must fight fearlessly in faith against all kinds of sin. At Jesus’ soon coming, He will be glorified in His saints and admired in all those who believe—those who have been obedient to the gospel. 2 Thess. 1:10. In John 7:38 Jesus says, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” “But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” V. 39. Now Jesus has been glorified, and all of us can receive this blessed Spirit of faith from whom flow rivers of living water. If we have received the Spirit of faith, let us keep Him in the depths of our heart so that a glorious life of faith can flow out from there. Let us encourage each other in this Spirit of faith in preparation for Christ’s return. It is best to be quiet if we cannot speak in faith. In the Spirit of faith we can expect Jesus’ return with joy!Aksel J. Smith

Every fire has to have a sacrifice in order to burn. If we think of natural fire, it has to have wood, coal, oil, etc. This also applies to the spiritual realm. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11. “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” Acts 2:3. Then a powerful revival broke out. It was such a glorious experience that many people thought the disciples were full of sweet wine. There had to be a continual sacrifice if this fire was to keep burning. The apostles, and several with them, were a sacrifice, with the result that the fire spread wildly. The fire gave off warmth and light. However, we see that in the ensuing years, the fire was almost quenched, but then it flared up again as some people gave themselves as a sacrifice to the fire. Many people have had this glorious experience of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire; but it is not a glorious feeling to be led by the Spirit, because then the person has to become a sacrifice for the fire. Therefore we need this constant exhortation to walk in the Spirit, and to do the good. “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16. We see that the Spirit wants to have the authority over us to lay the sacrifice on the fire. The sacrifice is our self-life—the flesh with its passions and desires. Either the fire has power and we give off warmth and light so that the result is unity, with the life of Christ being revealed, or we withdraw from the fire, and the flesh gains power. Then the result will be coldness, darkness, and division. When we think of the reason behind all the division and sin that is among God’s people, it is that the fire is not given its sacrifices. Instead of being led by the Spirit into the fire, people constantly seek the glorious experience when they received the Spirit. When a person believes that he has received the Spirit, he wants to speak about that experience, making it as great and glorious as he can. Should it then be less glorious to be led by the Spirit? Does a person need to look back to something glorious? Not at all! None of those who are willing to be led by the Spirit look back. Only those who are unwilling to be led look back. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Col. 3:5. Think of the darkness that has enveloped Christendom because this exhortation has not been heeded, because the fire did not get its prey. Think of the warmth, the light, and the unity that would have existed if this exhortation had been followed and the fire had been permitted to do its work! Therefore, we know the way if we want to have revival and be a blessing. All those who, throughout the ages, have exuded warmth and light have been a sacrifice. May we serve in such a way that the fire can flare up in the end times as never before!Sigurd Bratlie