Summer Conference at Brunstad

Summer Conference at Brunstad

Once again, friends from all over the world gathered at Brunstad for the summer conference. Brunstad is a mission center of invaluable significance. Many of us come year after year as to a table richly laid both in the spiritual and in the natural sense. Concerning the purely practical things there are so many hidden and not so hidden ministries that are performed both before and during the conference—even all year round—that it is fitting to express a heartfelt thanks to all those who give of themselves in the various ministries for the best of the friends. One of the many areas of service, by way of example, is sound and picture, in which many people use their expertise on behalf of the friends who are gathered for the conference, as well as for the many friends who follow the conference via satellite transmission in the many different countries. This is totally overwhelming, at least for those who are not experts in this area; yes, I believe also for those who are experts. As far as digital technology is concerned Brunstad Conference Centre is far advanced, even very far advanced, which is something that is for the good of us all.

Now the directors of the Brunstad Conference Center have come up with an expansion plan for the future, for us and our children and grandchildren; and the labour these brothers have put into it and are still putting into it deserves our deepest respect. We owe them a great “thank you” for their untiring work. Therefore all of us—friends from all countries—ought to feel responsibility so that the Brunstad Conference Center will be a better place for all those who come, and so that the gospel, also by means of new, modern technology, can reach as many nations as possible in the entire world.

The following are excerpts from the meetings.

Lest We Drift Away

Brother Kåre J. Smith read from Hebrews 2:1 at the opening meeting of the conference: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” It is easy to drift away from what we have heard from the beginning; namely, the word of life. 1 John 1:1; 2:24. Many changes take place in the course of time, and many changes also affect us. For example, we make use of new technology. But the message of Christ and the way in His steps never changes. The message of suffering in the flesh and ceasing from sin (1 Pet. 4:1) does not change. If we drift away from it we drift away from salvation. Then we are drifting into a life without meaning and without a goal.

For example, if one receives an exhortation one cannot really see is justified, and possibly becomes a little offended, one drifts away. One becomes dull of hearing just like the Hebrews did by being disobedient to the work of the Spirit. Heb. 5:11. It is so easy for the heart to become hardened. On the other hand, those who listen and are obedient have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil to a constantly deeper degree. They become examples in the good and good counselors in everything that is good. We need brothers and sisters in the local churches who can confirm with their lives the Word that is being preached. Heb. 2:3. The Word receives “feet to walk on” in such peoples’ lives; it becomes flesh in them and their lives radiate with a consequent powerful effect on people. They bear the virtues of Christ in their being. Knowledge alone does not have this radiance and cannot cause hearts to burn. It takes zeal in our spirit, a zeal that creates a constant repentance in our life. When we read that the angels of the churches in Revelation 2 and 3 were asked to repent, this was not a repentance from the world and sin, but a repentance within salvation, because it was evident that they were sliding away from the Word they had heard. When a person becomes dull of hearing he begins to thirst for other fountains and no longer has all his fountains in God.

Hebrews 5:7 gives us an understanding of the prayer life, the seriousness, and the fear of God that Jesus had in the days of His flesh. It cost Him His life to consecrate the way. It will also cost us our life to walk on it. Let us come boldly before the throne of grace so that we can overcome in the hour of temptation, purifying ourselves just as He is pure. Jesus did not count it robbery to be equal with God, but He renounced being like God in order to save us. Ph. 2:6-7. How much have we renounced for His sake and to be a greater blessing for the others? By the grace of God, Jesus tasted death for us all (Heb. 2:9) in order to receive brethren. His followers give their hearts’ blood so that unity and fellowship can be maintained and grow.

When Jesus cleansed the temple He showed us with what kind of zeal we ought to cleanse ourselves in obedience to the truth. There must be rest and quiet in our inner man, a quiet worship before God’s face. The intention is not for us to be bothered by the same temptation year after year. The enemies in our flesh must be slain, one after the other, until they rise up no more.

Jesus loved righteousness and hated iniquity. He hated the iniquity of living according to His self-will. In this love for righteousness and in this hate against all iniquity we will also be anointed with the oil of gladness. Then we will experience the refreshing comfort of love in the body of Christ, the comfort of loving and being loved.

In the Old Testament we have many examples of people departing from the truth, stagnating, and hardening. After the victory at Jericho they could not advance any further because Achan had taken some of the cursed goods. Impurity clung to the skirts of Jerusalem; therefore she sank in an amazing way. Lam. 1:9. We are therefore exhorted in 1 Timothy 2:8 to “lift up holy hands”; hands that are clean from all impurity and selfishness.

Steadfast and Immovable

When we read in Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed . . .”, this refers to the last verse of chapter one where we see that our calling is to inherit salvation! And in Romans 8:17 we read that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ “if indeed we suffer with Him.” It is in the sufferings that temptation can cause us to drift away from what we have heard. If our thoughts and our mind are not in heavenly places we will lose sight of the way of salvation. We also read in 1 Corinthians 15:50 about inheriting God’s kingdom, and in verse 58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” This is something other than drifting away. We must be steadfast and immovable; for example, when it comes to blessing. Let not self-love and seeking for honor be the cause of our drifting away from it.

We are called to a life in obedience “in sincerity of heart.” Eph. 6:5. In this sincerity of heart we do not hunger for an acknowledging pat on the back or to be greeted in a special, respectful way, etc. No, the only thing that counts is “only faith, working through love.” Gal. 5:6. Only faith working through brotherly love, and love for all. Always and in all situations. There is a tremendously all-encompassing power in love. “Stand fast therefore!” Gal. 5:1. In goodness. The fruit of the Spirit will increase in our life if we are steadfast and immovable.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14 we read about victory and the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. On this point we truly have something to offer in the battle for our children. Our children must always find us in the spirit of victory so that they know the fragrance that emanates from a life of victory. Then they will never taste the least amount of backbiting, accusation, or criticism; then father and mother have power in their exhortations.

“‘Today,’ if you will hear His voice, ‘do not harden your hearts. . . .’” Heb. 3:7-8. We need to exhort one another daily, as we read in verse 13, so that we stay awake and do not drift away to any degree. “Therefore be zealous and repent.” Rev. 3:19. Nothing is put off if this zeal is present. Then you start right away, and the change will be immediate.

The Hebrews had become dull of hearing. Heb. 5:11. There is plenty of this kind of dullness in our flesh; therefore we should not be so quick to conclude, “this does not concern me.” And, by way of example, if you find yourself weighing the pros and cons of going to the meeting, you have quite a bit in common with the above-mentioned Hebrews and their dullness.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1. We can be easily troubled on life’s journey when the truth is revealed to us. Then we need to hold unshakably fast to God in faith. Even if the disciples were ever so weak, Jesus had the faith and confidence that God would do great things for them and in them.

“Finally . . . be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Eph. 6:10. We need to be strong in the Lord if the powers that cause us to drift away shall not overpower us. We cannot presume that it is a foregone conclusion that we will be steadfast and immovable. We must be strong in the Lord; then we will succeed in standing after we have overcome all things. V. 13.

Going astray and drifting away have their root cause in pride. We can see this quite clearly from Psalm 119:67: “Before I was afflicted I went astray.” Further on in verse 71 we read, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” No self-justification, no bitterness, no bearing a “chip on your shoulder,” or being offended; only thankfulness for having been humbled.

Zeal and repentance are necessary. The fear of God and seriousness must rule, not the least in the work with the children and young people where it is necessary that those who work with them are godfearing. Those who are drawn to the world and are drawing others in the same direction must have nothing to do with this important children’s and youth work. “Your zeal has stirred up the majority.” 2 Cor. 9:2. In other words, there is a drawing power in godly zeal. This is the zeal in which we need to work in the church. “We also believe, and therefore we speak.” 2 Cor. 4:13. Every word and all labour done in this spirit of faith have the effect of drawing into God.

The Meekness of Wisdom

“Receive with meekness the implanted word.” Jas. 1:21. When we hear God’s word it first enters our understanding as knowledge. We would like to live the Word, and we reckon that we can do it. However, to begin with we are not aware of how strong we are in ourselves. This is not strength in God, and the result is that we fall and are defeated in the midst of all this knowledge. There are many who are strong in spite of all their knowledge, and in this strength they experience a kind of peace, because others are reluctant to say anything to such a strong person. We can be sure that the peace of a strong man is not synonymous with the peace of Jesus. The peace of Jesus is a peace we obtain when the Word becomes flesh. Then we have peace in good report and in bad report, in honour and in dishonour.

“Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ . . . .” Gal. 3:4. The strong man is chastened by the law, because it did not succeed for him in his strength. “You are wearied in the length of your way; yet you did not say, ‘There is no hope.’ You have found the life of your hand; therefore you were not grieved.” Is. 57:10. But when the trial has shown us how weak and unprofitable we are we can come to true meekness. Then we present ourselves before the throne of grace, believing in His strength and not in our own. Then we are learning the meekness of wisdom. Jas. 3:13. Now wisdom—the virtues of Christ—is being made manifest. Meekness is a rare virtue; it is one of the most sensitive and precious virtues of Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 11:29, “Learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” Meekness and humility cannot be separated.

Only by being doers of the Word in the trials of life do we gain weight in our spirit. A doer of the work is blessed in what he does. Jas. 1:25. A mother who is a doer of the work is a happy mother for her children. She looks into the perfect law of liberty and is not under bondage.

Many people desire to do something for God but at the same time live for themselves and garner some honour. Their ego is very much in evidence in everything they do. “I will, I can, I think . . . .” Such people do not serve in the newness of the Spirit in which sin is condemned in the flesh. If the Spirit does not lead us we lead ourselves, and the result is accordingly. When Paul says that the body is dead because of sin (Rom. 8:10) it can be compared to an axe lying on the ground, and useless. It only becomes useful when someone swings the axe and uses it. When we come to faith that we have died with Christ our body becomes an instrument for righteousness. The body has received a new “employer” and can be presented as a living, holy, and acceptable sacrifice unto God. “For the love of Christ constrains us.” 2 Cor. 5:14. This is true power.

“. . . but first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” 2 Cor. 8:5. When we live for the Lord we also live for the church. We are slaves of men if we give ourselves to people without first giving ourselves to the Lord. Therefore we must first give ourselves wholly to Him.

In 2 Corinthians 5:15 we read an exhortation to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again. Should we not have a deep, reciprocal love for Him so that He can say about us: “This is now bone of My bone and flesh of My flesh!” Gen. 2:23. God has chosen the poor things in this world, but according to their spirit and their attitude they are the most excellent ones. We also need to consider our brothers and sisters in this light. According to their attitude they are the most excellent of the children of man.

“Let your meekness be known to all men.” Ph. 4:5. Meekness is to be quiet, and wait on the Lord. We are not hindered from acting when we are meek, but we do not take matters into our own hands, but rather wait on the Lord so that we can do His will in His power.

On Earth, and Yet in Heaven

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. Those who speak from the earth (even though it is “Christian”) and those who speak from heaven are as different as night and day. Those who speak from the earth cannot cause people’s hearts to rejoice. The heroes of faith we read about in Hebrews 11 had a sense for hearing God’s word from heaven. God’s prophets speak clearly and plainly; their words are from heaven and will save people from lies and deception.

In John 3:12-13 we read about Jesus who came down from heaven and yet was in heaven. The Father spoke to the Son, and the Son executed the Father’s will. This is also our calling. Those who have been raised up with Christ and have been sat in heavenly places are finished with the earth, and their thoughts and life are not in earthly things. They can hear the voice from heaven.

In Acts 8:33 we read that Jesus’ life was taken from the earth. And in Hebrews 8:4, “For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest.” Yet we know that He is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. If we are to be priests according to the order of Melchizedek we must also be “taken from the earth.” Then we have only one longing: to reveal Jesus’ life here on earth.

In a manner of speaking Melchizedek (Heb. 7:1 flg.) came out of eternity and stepped into time with blessings. For example, he blessed Abraham. Abraham did not seek his own but he fought for his brother. Therefore it was righteous of Melchizedek to bless him. Melchizedek was both priest and king—king of righteousness and peace. Both the sacrificial priest and the king must be manifested in our life. This royal worthiness testifies to the fact that we are hard as flint against sin in every form. How blessed it is, for example, when mothers and wives have this royal worthiness combined with a priestly life! Such women have power in their homes.

God commanded Moses to see to it that there was always pure oil of pressed olives for the lampstand in the tabernacle. Ex. 27:20-21. Pure oil, the result of a crushed self-will, must in these days also continuously be produced in the church, which is the lampstand of the new covenant. Many people are busy with the form of the lampstand and forget the most important thing: the oil. People who come into contact with the church will obviously notice the external form; but if they are of the truth their sense will be awakened for the oil in the lampstand, the hidden life with Christ in God.

In Ephesians 6:15 Paul says that the gospel of peace prepares us for battle. And in James 3:18 James writes about sowing the fruit of righteousness in peace, and making peace. Further on he writes, “Where do wars and fights come from among you?” The answer is: from the lusts of the flesh. The gospel of peace prepares us for the battle against our lusts. This must be a daily and conscious battle in our life. Yes, we even have to fight many an “Armageddon battle” before we can have peace in our mind. Continuing on, James writes about being friends with the world. If you are friends with the world you will never have your eyes opened to the glory in the gospel, and you will never understand the wisdom that is in being crucified with Christ.

The mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16) is the mind of a servant. Life becomes glorious and fruitful when we enter into the ministry of being a servant.

Yes, the conference was exceedingly rich in words of truth; a true help for everyone who longs for progress in God. Let us follow the exhortation in 1 Timothy 4:15: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”