That day we hosted several guest brothers from Norway. Brother Tore Gangsø began with a word from the letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 3:4-5: “And such confidence we have through Christ toward God, Not as though we were able to think a thing of ourselves and of ourselves alone, but our ability is of God,”
2 Corinthians 3:6: “Who also hath enabled us to be servants of the new covenant, not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter killeth, but the spirit quickeneth.”
After many years in the church, one usually knows the Word of God well and has listened to similar statements many times. However, this is not the same as fellowship with Jesus and bringing edification. One can only stick to the letter all the time – this is a tragedy, Brother Tore concluded. Something completely different is the Ministry of the Spirit – it’s a different world, much more wonderful!
2 Corinthians 4:9-11: “Persecuted but not forsaken, knocked down but not defeated, Always bearing the death of Jesus on our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be made manifest on our body. For always we who live are delivered to death for Jesus, so that also the life of Jesus on our mortal body may be revealed.”
Why do I feel subdued and nailed down, unable to snap out of it? The reason is the service of the letter, a life of appearances that makes me look good before people. However, when I allow myself to be transformed by Christ, I then bear his death, I give up what is “due to me” and am freed from the cause of depression and inferiority complexes, evil suspicions. This is a life that should delight us.
Later we heard the services of several brothers and many personal testimonies and prophecies. It was a very edifying meeting.
Excerpt from song DP 248:
We’re a little band at war ‘gainst worldliness and sin—
Just a little band, but through Christ’s death we’ve faith to win.
Though our ranks are small, we’ll not be anxious or dismayed.
By our Lord and Savior the way is made.
