New Year’s Conference at Brunstad

Here are a few glimpses from the very blessed conference we had at Brunstad over the New Year’s weekend.

The cup of the Lord, and the table of the Lord

“Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.” Acts 9:31.

What a blessed peace there is in the body of Christ! Peace in the heart, peace in all situations, even in times of tumult. The Lord can lead the peacemakers; they grow and increase with the help of the Holy Spirit. All discord and unrest are the result of sin. All exasperation and stubbornness are the result of demons wreaking havoc in the mind.

The church is built up by the word of God. This word must have the preeminence at all our meetings: a life-doctrine that has stood the test in our personal life. Then we also have the proper fear over us, and the result will be a purified message without any joking or empty phrases. Everything must be sound and sober. Nobody must be carried along by his personal state of mind, or inflate his ego by what he is saying in the church assembly. By way of example, we also need to think of this when it concerns a message in tongues during a meeting. Nobody must exalt himself or seek his own. Moses and Aaron were in the spirit that resists the flesh; they could bless the people. Then a fire came out from before the Lord. Lev. 9:23-24. When we appear before the face of the Lord it must be to bring our need and the need of the others before Him. However, Nadab and Abihu wanted to be a “great number” and offered profane fire before the Lord (ch. 10:1 flg.), but fire from the Lord consumed them. It never goes well with a person when he exalts himself in his ministry; the result is profane fire. Perhaps such a person feels offended or insulted whenever he thinks his honor is being “stepped on.” Perhaps he knows the doctrine inside out, but at the same time he lives in a demanding spirit, and becomes angry or irritated when something crosses his plans. Let us remember that we have nothing of ourselves to protect.

In Rom. 14:19 we are exhorted to pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. The person who does this in truth will feel the fire that consumes his self-life.

To have something outside of God and His perfect will that we think we need to make allowance for is idolatry. If we are to overcome in temptation, as we read in 1 Cor. 10:13 flg., then we must not make any exceptions. Therefore we read in verse 14: “Flee from idolatry!” In the following verses we read about having communion with the blood of Christ, and partaking of the table of the Lord. If we do not do this we have communion with demons and partake of their table. For example, if we are to be in a state in which we can always bless the others, then it is necessary to drink the cup of the Lord and be faithful in the sufferings as He was. The person who is not willing to be broken comes out of fellowship with the body of Christ. We can never work for the furtherance of the good if we want to preserve our unbroken self-will. If we rejoice over the word that is being preached at the meetings while in our daily life we also partake of the table of demons through unfaithfulness, our heart can be compared to the wayside where the birds came again and again and stole the word that was sown.

For example, if a person gives in to evil suspicion, he partakes of the table of demons. We can say that he receives “revelations” from demons. Evil suspicion has robbed many people of their peace and joy. On the other hand, the person who blesses those whom God blesses will be able to live and die in peace and rest.

Paul was careful that he only partook of the table of the Lord. In Ph. 3:13-14 he writes, “. . . one thing I do . . . .” He always went in the same direction and pursued the victory prize: divine nature. We are exhorted to walk the same way. V. 16. This is the way on which Paul went. We must never leave this way. The table of demons is laden with lies, envy, conceit, and evil suspicion, etc.; these are all dishes served up by lies. Paul knew of which table he was partaking. Therefore he could say, “But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.” Rom. 15:29. He was able to exhort through the love of the Spirit. V. 30. The cup of blessing with which we bless gives us a share in the gospel of blessing and enables us to bless.

In verse 31 Paul says that it was his wish that his service for Jerusalem might be acceptable to the saints. Our “service” in the meetings must also be acceptable to the saints. Not by flattery, but by speaking the truth in love, so that we can be refreshed, and rejoice together. V. 32.

Dead to the law—bearing fruit for God

“And you He made alive . . . and were by nature children of wrath . . . But God who is rich in mercy . . . made us alive together with Christ . . . that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 2:1-7. Here we see the plans God has for former sinners. This should make us humble and thankful.

When the Lord chastens us in His love (for example) by humbling us, this chastening does not seem to be for our benefit. Then the tempter comes and offers us tempting dishes from his table. Then it is vital for us to be thankful for the chastening. How could God possibly exalt us with the nature that we have before He humbles us? The person who is faithful during the Lord’s chastening in life’s situations is liberated and purified. The result is a pure, heavenly spirit that bears eternal life within itself. On the other hand, the result of living according to the flesh is that a person has communion with demons. This is a development in which the person reaps corruption of the flesh as time goes on. Gal. 6:7-8.

God’s word is like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces. Then we will experience God’s judgments in our life, and the Spirit is able to do His work of sanctification in our inner man.

Dead to the law in order to bear fruit for God. Paul writes about this in Rom. 7. As long as a person lives he is under the law even though he is a Christian. It is because a person lives for himself that it is difficult for him in the brotherhood and in marriage or in other relationships.

Paul loved the truth so much that he acknowledged that he was carnal, sold under sin. V. 14. Nevertheless, he loved God’s law so highly that sin became exceedingly sinful to him. V. 13. The rich young ruler was not in this state. He had kept the commandments, but sin had not become so sinful to him that he longed for a deeper redemption from sin in his spirit.

“O wretched man that I am!” V. 24. This is what Paul said after he had begun to bear fruit for God. He knew that he had a body of death that housed the desires of the flesh. That is why he had this sigh of the first fruits, longing after more sanctification of the Spirit. When we acknowledge the egotism that dwells in us and over which we receive light through the Spirit, we can put it to death by the Spirit and thus receive an increasingly larger area on which to work. We receive a renewed mind, our boundaries are enlarged, and we receive more and more wisdom to live the new life. Jesus gained the victory in His humiliation. This is also the way for us.

Through death Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Heb. 2:14. This is a blessed death that enables us to bear fruit for God! We must always bear this death—death over the desires and passions of the flesh— in our bodies. 2 Cor. 4:10 flg. Those who follow Jesus on this way will always find something that they can surrender into death so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in their mortal flesh. He who lives for himself does not experience a spiritual development. Perhaps he has a good conscience as long as he does what the law says, but he does not experience growth in sanctification.

The person who always speaks about “the good old days” and about external things is under the law. Such people do not have a father’s mind. For example, they cannot be of any help to the young people in their battle and striving. They are not prepared to lay their life down for their brothers and sisters. The same thing applies to those who sulk and are cross as soon as there is any talk about “David’s column” (for example).

Those who truly bear fruit for God will not be lonely in their old days. People are drawn to them in their “wake.” They are valuable, hidden pillars in the church.

The law is a tutor unto Christ, and this glorious redemption transpires through faith. “Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” Rom. 6:6.

“For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” Matt. 24:28. In Luke 17 we read about Jesus’ second coming. Then it will be revealed that two who were in the same situation in life did not come to the same result. The one will be taken, and the other will be left. Vs. 34-36. Jesus became a “carcass” through death. God’s elect (the eagles) will be raptured at Jesus’ second coming.

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” John 12:32. This drawing power follows the godfearing. There is an inherent drawing power in being a “carcass.” “. . . for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” 1 Tim. 4:16. It is this blessed aroma of life that gathers. 2 Cor. 2:14 flg. This life and this aroma are the result of sacrifice. Let us do as we sing about the altar in New Songs #230: “There is the place Thou appointest; ‘there we shall meet,’ Thou didst say.”

“See, I have inscribed you in the palms of My hands.”

Brother Kåre J. Smith’s message on New Year’s Eve almost lifted the assembly up in hope, faith, and expectation of Jesus’ second coming.

“See, I have inscribed you in the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.” Is. 49:16.

Both the earthly and the spiritual Israel are “inscribed in His hands.”

“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.” 1 Thess. 5:1. Many people have shown an interest in the times and the seasons. However, if we are in the light, then the Day will not come as a thief, as far as we are concerned. It is different for those who have not cleaned up their life, who have matters to bring into order and who know they should have asked their neighbor for forgiveness for something.

It is easy to fall asleep when the Day tarries. Therefore we always need to be awakened by way of reminder. The person whose life is in the light is safe, has peace, and is at rest. The children of the light judge themselves; and the one who judges himself is not judged and will not be condemned together with the world. We do not need to be afraid or lose courage if this is the state in which we are.

We live in the times before the Son of Man will return. Matt. 24:36 flg. Just think of all the divorces in our days. Couples get divorced without thinking about their suffering children; perhaps they even suffer such great harm that it is difficult to heal. Such ungodliness occurs even among religious people. It is ungodly to live according to your egotistical thoughts and desires. Carelessness and unfaithfulness in money matters also flourish. The fear of God embodies the idea that we consider ourselves as stewards in such matters, and not as owners.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” V. 42. This must always be living for us: We shall meet Jesus and be with Him for all eternity. Let us therefore live in simple faithfulness toward Him. We will have power in our prayers when we live before His face.

Let us not drift away from what we have heard.

Paul had received apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations. He was Jesus’ sacrificial priest, and was a priestly steward of the gospel of God “. . . that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” Rom. 15:16 flg. Being a priestly steward meant that he had to sacrifice in order to help the others come to the same life.

We need to bring many sacrifices in our ministry. For example, it must not happen that we speak about the death of Christ and perhaps at the same time get angry or are offended when something goes against our grain. The Scriptures exhort us to pay heed to what we have heard so that we do not drift away from it. Heb. 2:1 flg. In verse 6 we read, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” This should work humility in us, so that it is evident in our relationship to our fellow brothers and sisters who have the same calling. Then we can be co-workers on their salvation, and all accusations and criticism will be banished. When we get older we usually have more time and we should make a special effort to intercede for the others. Tremendous powers can be released through the ministry of intercession.

We must be on guard against drifting away from the word concerning a life of victory so that we do not drift away from putting to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. The intention is that we cease from sin, not that we continue to be tempted and bothered by the same thing year after year. Reading Heb. 4 we understand that it is vital to resist unto bloodshed in our battle against sin. The person who is truly a sacrificial priest of God is well aware of the fact that there is much to sacrifice in his personal life.

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish [exhort] one another.” Rom. 15:14. Just imagine: God can do such a work in us that we can be full of goodness, that we can bear our neighbor’s infirmities in goodness, that we can bear the other’s burdens! In 2 Cor. 5:14 Paul could testify that “. . . the love of Christ constrains us.” Yes, that we have it in us to be thankful! Just think, then it has become our nature to receive one another, as we are exhorted to do in Rom. 15:7. In any case, then we will be totally finished with giving each other a “dressing down.” Faithfulness in the hidden leads to such a life.

At the end of the conference we were exhorted about the danger of deceiving ourselves, which is something we do if we are only hearers of the word and not its doer. Let us be doers of the Word!

Arild Tombre