Easter Conference at Brunstad

There is only one thing to be said about the Easter conference at Brunstad: God blessed it abundantly from beginning to end. Many friends returned to their countries and homes enriched, and brothers and sisters all over the world partook of this rich edification via satellite transmission. The church in Australia received the conference as a test transmission for direct broadcast, and it was very successful.

Making full use of the possibilities that the gospel offers

In Ph. 3:7 flg. we can see how deeply Paul was apprehended of the gospel. He was so apprehended that he considered all else as dung. When he received the knowledge of the work that took place in and through Christ and understood the greatness of the gospel, he made full use of the possibilities that the gospel offered.

How much use have we made of the gospel? What are we apprehended of when we face the trials of life? Do we see the possibilities that the gospel offers us? Paul ran expertly on the course of the inner life. On this course he got to know the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, and he experienced the death of Christ and His life—the same death and the same life.

A person who argues, backbites, envies, or lives in bitter strife with his neighbour has not understood the gospel at all. The beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount show us that the gospel makes us happy, not bitter.

When we read in Heb. 5:7, we get a glimpse into the tremendous battle Jesus waged. Let us consider that it was for our sake, because He wanted brothers. He pioneered a way on which we can be set free from sin, a way on which our spirit is made alive, so that we are enabled to lead people to God. Only by suffering death according to the flesh can we become servants of the Lord. This death is a death over our egotism, our “I,” our self-life. Those who have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires belong to Him; they can live a victorious life.

Paul writes in Eph. 3:3-7 about his “knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” We also read about this mystery in chapter 2:13-18. Here we read that He broke down “the middle wall of division . . . the enmity” and brought about reconciliation in one body by the cross. He created “one new man . . . thus making peace.” Conceited, self-righteous people have no sense for becoming “one new man.” Legalism cannot lead to this either. This is only possible by the righteousness that is through faith in Christ, “the righteousness which is from God by faith.” Ph. 3:9. Then we come into contact with the creative power that is in His Word.

He who believes and loves the truth has ceased from justifying himself and making excuses for himself. A person who loves the truth lets the hammer of God’s Word pound him to dust. And from the dust of our self-life “one new man”—divine nature—can arise.

We also read in 1 Pet. 4:1 that it is absolutely possible to follow Jesus on the new and living way. “. . . arm yourselves also with the same mind . . .”—the mind to suffer in the flesh. The result of this suffering is that we have “ceased from sin”! What a joy that is!

“. . . rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings . . . .”

v. 13. Let us enter into the sufferings of Christ and the death of Christ with all our heart. Thus we will partake of His life, and God can impart His wisdom into our spirit, so that we can be along in building the body of Christ.

The glory that we can attain by the gospel is unspeakably great. Just think of the depth of meaning of the following words: “. . . a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . .” 2 Cor. 4:17. Beyond all known measure! It bursts all human boundaries! One example from Paul’s life: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.” 2 Cor. 12:15.

“But we are not of those who draw back . . . .” Heb. 10:39. There is a fire that burns in fellowship with the saints—a fire that consumes our self-life. It is foolishness to withdraw from this fire. It says so significantly about the Pharisee that he “stood with himself” and prayed this hypocritical prayer: “God, I thank You that I am not like other men.” Luke 18:11.

In 2 Cor. 4:3 we read that the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. Imagine the consequences of not seeing the gospel in its greatness. One can so easily be occupied with trivial things. What we read about Peter when he received the fervent exhortations from Jesus to watch and feed His lambs and sheep is very significant: “Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple . . . .” John 21:20. He saw John and was distracted by how it would go with him. “. . . what is that to you? You follow Me,” Jesus said to him. Acknowledgment and humility open our eyes to the gospel and its glory.

A conscious labour, and a conscious life

In Col. 1:28-29 and chapter 2:1 flg. we see what a labour and what a conflict Paul had for the church, in order that their hearts might be encouraged, being knit together, attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God—Christ. There is also a great amount of labour taking place in the church today; it is a conscious labour with a specific purpose. There is a great need for labourers who labour in God’s power, those in whom God’s power can work mightily (Col. 1:29), enabling them to come to the meetings of the church with edification, exhortation, and comfort.

The result of Paul’s conscious labour was that people were bound together, and melted together. This conscious labour leads to a conscious life, with each individual learning to take up his cross daily, denying himself, and thereby following in Jesus’ steps. We read in v. 8 about empty deceit, and the basic principles of the world. “The basic principles of the world” and the form of doctrine that has been delivered to us cannot be united. Right and wrong can never become one. Neither can people who, for instance, love to speak well of each other become one with those who almost shudder when others are honoured and blessed.

We also read in 1 Thess. 3:12-13 what a blessed life the gospel has made possible for us: abounding in love to one another and to all, with our hearts established blameless in holiness before our God and Father. Imagine: blameless before Him, in the hidden, where God alone sees our thoughts, our motives, and our choices. We may be ignored and overlooked by people, but we will be completely satisfied and happy before the face of our God and Father.

In Eph. 5:3-7 we read about a very pertinent area in our days: fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and coarse jesting. Many people destroy their lives by living in these sins. But he, who flees the corruption that is in the world through lust, has a clear path and a bright future ahead of him.

When we read Ph. 2 we realize that working out our salvation with fear and trembling (v. 12) consists first and foremost of humbling ourselves. Every work produces a result. In this case, one of the results we see is that we become smaller and lowlier in our own eyes, and the others become that much greater for us.

In one of Elihu Pedersen’s songs it says, “I’m happy in salvation, I’m happy in the Lord.” If we rally have understood the gospel, it is fitting to sing these very words when the opportunities and trials come. We are exhorted to be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ. 2 Pet. 1:8. We will become lonely if we use our knowledge on the others and not on ourselves. However, if we use this knowledge in the right way, brotherly love and fellowship will increase among us; but if we have anything at all to complain about, then the mystery of the gospel has not yet been revealed to us.

Jesus did not revile when He was reviled, but He committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Pet. 2:23. It is one thing to overcome the desire to revile in return. But how about committing things to Him who judges righteously? Perhaps you start talking about the matter, and so you pass judgment anyway! Yes, when you sit and speak with trusted friends, things can easily be said that are both backbiting and judging.

The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls

We were all “by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Eph. 2:3. Once we have received the forgiveness of sins—redemption in Jesus Christ—and have been healed by the stripes of Him who took our sins upon Himself, the intention is that we “having died to sins, might live for righteousness.” 1 Pet. 2:24. This is the salvation of our soul—trans-formation into the image of the Son.

We were all like sheep gone astray. V. 25. Just think about the fact that we have also gone astray as “sheep” after we received forgiveness for our sins! Therefore, if we want to experience a total redemption from everything that has entered mankind through the fall, we must be converted to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

There are many voices that beckon you when you are young. Many people want to use you, your strength, your youth, and even your beauty. Such people have no care for your soul; they only want to exploit you. When you need help, none of them will be there to help you.

However, there is One who cared for us and died for us while we were unrighteous and sinners. Jesus died for us while we were in our wretched condition. He came with life, and life in abundance. Just think: having Him as the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls! He will give a new and eternal content to our souls. Instead of strange ideas, we will receive wisdom—the virtues of Christ.

The Corinthians had many spiritual gifts, but there was not one wise man among them. Many of them held Paul in contempt. They had become puffed up, even though they had received everything they had through Paul’s ministry. Therefore he exhorts them in 1 Cor. 3:18: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he falls.” 1 Cor. 10:12. Those who think that they are something, who think that they both know and can do almost everything, cannot edify the others. Love edifies, but knowledge puffs up. He who has a simple faith receives revelation and can edify the others.

Let us be totally finished with thinking that we know something, and instead be led by the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls. Then the Word will divide between soul and spirit, and, not the least, judge the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Gal. 6:2 we are exhorted to bear burdens. In v. 3 we read, “for if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” Young brothers and sisters might think that the older ones in their local church are old and behind the times, but maybe they themselves have never borne a single burden. It is wise to ask oneself: How much am I bearing? How much have I suffered in order to lead others to God? Let us test our own works, then we will find reason to humble ourselves, so that we can receive grace and mercy. Let us not be conceited, but listen, and receive exhortations. He who lives a crucified life will experience the Shepherd and Overseer of his soul. On the cross there is liberation from all the unrest that is in the soul. There we will partake of comfort, help, and refreshing in Christ.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27. We also read in Gal. 4:9: “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God . . . .” This is the greatest glory: following Christ and being known by God. Such people hear the Shepherd’s voice, and can discern between His voice and the voices coming from the flesh and the soul—that which is human. It can be comparatively easy to reject the voice that speaks on the carnal level, but you need a listening and watchful ear to separate things that come from the human and soulish level, things that seek to draw us away from following Christ.

When the Word is spoken sharply and clearly in the church, the true followers of Christ hear the Shepherd’s voice, and are comforted, exhorted, and edified. Others are often offended. In 1 Cor. 2:14 we read, “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.” The Spirit searches the deep things of God, and will lead us into them. Let us see to it that we do not remain on the surface—on the soulish and human level—but that we may know the things that have been freely given to us by God. V. 12.

When I am weak then I am strong 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Paul speaks about a “thorn in the flesh,” something that helped him to remain in weakness. He knew his weakness—his limitations—and learned that God’s grace was sufficient for him. Therefore he took pleasure in infirmities, in persecutions, and in distresses.

The common religious understanding is that one is so weak, that one cannot overcome sin. If you do not have victory, then the truth is that you are strong, strong in your-self—so strong that you are not on guard. The weak person “keeps himself,” and the wicked one does not touch him.

Paul had previously persecuted the church. 1 Cor. 15:9-10. The awareness of this must have been humbling for him who later became a sensitive man of the Spirit. He could testify about everything he had accomplished in this blessed apostle’s ministry, saying, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” In this weakness, by God’s strength that was constantly dwelling within him, he accomplished unspeakably much in God’s kingdom. By God’s grace we can be led to the same life that Paul lived.

There was tremendous grace over Jesus in the days of His flesh. By God’s grace He tasted death for us all. Heb. 2:9. He lived in that weakness in which God’s power could be made perfect. “He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also beset by weakness.” Heb. 5:2. Jesus learned to know our weak-ness. He was tempted. When we are tempted, we discover how weak we are. Jesus was so godfearing that He was aware of His weakness. In Heb. 5:7 we see how He battled and prayed, and was heard because of His godly fear. He died for our sake, but He was spared from the death that is caused by sin. He took the shame upon Himself; He nailed the handwriting of requirements that was against us to the cross, and became our High Priest who can bear with those who have gone astray. Let us live our life for Him, our Saviour and Redeemer!

Read about our High Priest in Heb. 4:14-16. Let us hold fast the confession, as we are exhorted to do— the confession of victory over sin. Let us also come boldly to the throne of grace. How much time have we spent before this throne of grace? Let us live there before the throne of grace. It is so terribly easy for us to do our deeds before the face of man. But there, before the throne of grace, we have to give account to Him for everything that we do. Yes, let us be aware of our weakness, so that we can walk blameless before His face, as God exhorted Abraham to do.

In Luke 18:7 we read that God’s elect cry out to Him day and night. Yes, there is a constant cry within them—a longing to attain to the depths that are in God. This cry is clearly evident in Rom. 7, for instance, where Paul describes his experiences in sanctification that occurred precisely because he delighted in God’s law according to the inward man. V. 22.

In Gal. 5:11 we read about the offense of the cross. In Rom. 7:14 Paul testified: “But I am carnal, sold under sin.” This radical confession evokes the offense of the cross. And when Paul explains in Rom. 3 that we all have turned aside, that there is none righteous, etc., we can discern the offense of the cross. However, all those who come to a true acknowledgment and experience reconciliation through the death of His Son will also experience salvation by His life. Rom. 5:10. By acknowledging our wretchedness, and believing in Him who justifies the ungodly, we experience salvation by His life. Then grace can reign through righteousness. Rom. 5:21. The Holy Spirit fills us with the hatred that is necessary to put sin to death. Let us pray to God to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s hatred against sin and self-life, so that the body of sin can be destroyed.

Our body as an instrument of righteousness for God

There was revival and prayer at the youth meetings during the conference, and many a young heart experienced conversion and renewal. Therefore, may all the young people take the exhortations to heart that bros. Kåre J. Smith and Sigurd Johan Bratlie, in particular, gave at the last meeting of the conference.

In Rom. 6:12-13, we read about presenting our bodies as instruments of righteousness for God. Here we can see how gracious God is. Imagine—He wants to take bodies that have served sin, and make them into instruments of righteousness!

When we are tempted, we are drawn and enticed by our own lusts. It is like when a fire has been lit— you have to do something about it before everything catches fire. It says in v. 11, “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” When we do this, we fill our thoughts with the things of God, and present our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Then we will have a blessed development in God.

God keeps His covenant and continues to be merciful to His servants, when they walk before His face with all their hearts. 2 Chron. 6:14. When it does not succeed for a person, it is because he has not given his whole heart, but has reservations in certain areas. For instance, some might have reservations when it concerns marriage, and perhaps they choose to marry an unbeliever. Such people are not disciples, and they do not live by faith. Anyone, who places his entire life and future into the Creator’s hands, can rest safely there. For “blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways.” Ps. 128:1. Today many young people are worried about the future. But there is a future on the Lord’s ways. See v. 2: “. . . you shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.” It goes well with such people, and God blesses them, generation after generation. Read Psalm 1. May every young brother and sister take this Psalm to heart!

These words in 2 Cor. 5:14-15 are very significant: “. . . because we judge thus . . . .” This is the kind of judgment” we need to come to in our life. Make the decision to reckon yourself dead to sin, but alive unto God. This must be a final decision. The decision must be made that we will no longer live for ourselves, but for Him who died for us and rose again. Then we will fill our minds with everything that is true, praiseworthy, pure, etc. Ph. 4:8. And then the love of Christ will constrain us to care for the others, and serve them.

Arild Tombre