Summer Conferences

There were summer conferences at Brunstad again this year, with participation from all parts of the world. What characterized this year’s summer conferences was that the friends could sing from the new, international edition of the songbook, “Ways of the Lord.” It has already been printed in seven languages, and the intention is that by the summer of 2010 it will be available in sixteen languages in all. The idea behind this songbook, as well as all the songs, is quoted from one of Johan O. Smith’s songs (No. 101) in the foreword of the songbook:

So may the singers, the music-makers,
And they who minister God’s holy Word
Grow up as pillars in God’s assembly,
That we become just as our precious Lord.

Following are a few glimpses from the meetings of the summer conferences.

The Word of the Cross

The message that is powerfully proclaimed in the church is the word of the cross. By it we will gain God’s power as well as His wisdom.

“Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23. Follow Him! Go after Him—to gain more and more of life’s fullness! All of us can do something good in life’s situations, but there is a great difference as to the fullness of life, the quality of life, and the joy of life from person to person. The way to a godly life is narrow, and few are they who find it. The cross is the secret to this rich, blessed, and overcoming life. We have to take up our cross in our daily situations if God’s will is to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Then we will be able to overcome our “I” in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is foolish to continue to live according to our “I,” seeing that we have tasted the bitter fruits of our self-will so many times. If we take up our cross and God’s will is done, then there will be a divine atmosphere in the home as well as in the church. All liberty without the cross is false liberty. All love without the cross is false love. We will only come to a genuine and true life through the cross. Then the power and content of our life will increase from year to year.

Paul gloried in one thing: the cross of Christ (Gal. 6:14, flg.), for the result of a crucified life is a new creation. V. 15. Then Christ can live His life in us, and we become eternal beings. God’s will is being done in our life. When we consider all the glory that the cross brings with it, it is not strange that this is the only thing Paul gloried in. In Genesis 3:24 we read so significantly that the tree of life was guarded by cherubim with flaming swords. This tells us that the death of our self-life is a prerequisite for partaking of divine nature.

The word of the cross always urges us on to a deeper devotion. Always deeper. Always more. By the word of the cross we will gain the victory over the sin for which we have had to ask for forgiveness before. Unfortunately, there are many people who, after they were redeemed from the burden of sin and had begun in the Spirit, still ended up in the flesh. Jesus admonishes us to consider the cost. Luke 14:27, flg. Each disciple of Jesus has to make this clear decision: Do I want to live the life of a disciple? Is this my heart’s desire and my whole longing? Am I so tired of my self-life that the word of the cross is a comfort for me? Am I willing to die with Him so that I live and walk with Him? Then the word of the cross has truly become the power of God for victory, for complete victory over sin and self-life.

“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” V. 33. Then everything we have is at the disposal of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit will teach us how we can be a good steward of the things that have been entrusted to us. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32. Let us always acknowledge the truth in life’s situations—even if it is ever so embarrassing and humiliating, for the truth will set us free. It is only a lack of acknowledgment of the truth about ourselves that is the cause of our falling and defeat.

A False Balance and a Just Weight

“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.” Prov. 11:1. “Even though divination is on the lips of the king, his mouth must not transgress in judgment. A just weight and balance are the Lord’s . . . .” Prov. 16:10-11. People have always been in the habit of swindling and cheating to rake in as much as possible for their personal advantage. However, when we have become Jesus’ disciples, we have a desire to do righteousness to the utmost. And the divine Word shall be in our mouth. Then we have to get the right balances that are acceptable to God and become very careful with our words. Most people have “unadjusted” weights and express themselves with self-confidence and arrogance, thinking that they are right. They can backbite and judge and are far away from the way of the cross. About such people it can be said that they are natural men who do not receive the things that pertain to God. 1 Cor. 2:14-15. Natural men use their human reasoning when they assess a situation and pass judgment. Their soul is restless. Antipathy and sympathy influences their ability to discern; it even ruins it. Throughout the years we have seen that it has gone very badly with such people who thought they had the right to speak arrogantly about God-fearing people. They will not depart from their arrogance of adding or subtracting some “pounds” when they speak about others.

Korah and his flock used their human reasoning and thought that Moses and Aaron exalted themselves above God’s church. And in Numbers 14 we read how the Israelites had to pay with their lives because of their arrogance. Even today there are many people who have a sharp tongue and seek to lead souls astray with their reasoning words.

God is just in His treatment of us. We shall be judged with the same judgment with which we judge. “And with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Matt. 7:1-2. There it says, “Judge not”! We must take this extremely seriously. But if we have sinned, it is important to acknowledge the truth, even though the situation is ever so embarrassing. And asking both God and people for forgiveness would then be necessary if we want to be righteous. Many people sit in their homes and speak frivolously about people who are more God-fearing than they. They usually consider the innocent guilty. Perhaps they speak about someone who delights in God’s law according to the inward man, as Paul mentions in Romans 7:22, but who, as it says in this verse, did what they did not want to practice. Then it was not, according to this verse, they who did it, but sin that dwelt in either him or her. In other words, one judges an innocent person guilty.

Do not speak lightly about your brothers and sisters. All judging and criticism is of the devil. Then it can easily be said about you, “You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting.” Daniel 5.

Be Fervent in Spirit

In Romans 11:7-10 we read about many people who became hardened and had a spirit of stupor. If we do not take our calling as disciples seriously, and if we do not take up our cross daily, we will quench the Spirit and the anointing that should be over what we say and do. Then we can speak correctly according to our knowledge, but we will lack the Spirit of revelation. We will be filled with a spirit of stupor instead; we will lose our spiritual vision, we will not be able to hear the voice of the Spirit anymore, and we will become incapable of edifying.

The angel of the church in Ephesus was very active, but he had left his first love. When we read in the epistle to the Hebrews, we can see that in the beginning these saints were also strongly apprehended of the gospel. They were exhorted to recall the former days when, after they were enlightened, they endured a great struggle with sufferings. However, they had become dull of hearing and were falling back. Therefore they are exhorted in Chapter 12 to pay heed to the chastening of the Lord.

It is quite evident when brothers and sisters are used to taking up their cross in the hour of trial. Such people have a powerful and inspiring spirit with them.

“Not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord . . . .” Rom. 12:11. How blessed it is in the church when the spirit of stupor is far away. Then there is edification by the Spirit of revelation, an inspiring Spirit of faith. There is zeal and fire, and the heavenly life grows and develops.

Let us take the exhortations from Ephesians 6:18 and further to heart. Pray in the Spirit. Be watchful in prayer with all perseverance. Pray for all the saints. We should also pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. It is evident in our spirit whether we lead a slack and slothful life. We will become sluggish and heavy and empty if we seek the honor of men. All of us can be fervent in spirit if only we want to. Then we contribute to holding everything up so that edification does not diminish in any form. We will receive strength to edify if we live a crucified life. Then we will be free and glad, and the spirit of stupor will be far off.

The Glory of the Eternal Life

Life is activity. Eternal life is being active in everything that is good. It is an incomprehensible glory to be called to live this life—eternal life.

In Job 38 we see how Job was asked a number of questions regarding the work of creation to get him to acknowledge humbly how small he was. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” V. 4. Yes, the person who excludes the Creator from his life is an indescribably great fool. Job received light and came to a deep acknowledgment. We can see this clearly in Chapter 42. He acknowledged that he had spoken of things he did not understand. We should also humble ourselves in “dust and ashes” before the Almighty. People in the Western World are losing their fear of the Almighty more and more. That is why it is going inexorably down with the Western countries.

The person that has become an eternal being has truly become rich. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Him shall never die. John 11:25-26. And the Creator is still creating. He can create something new in our inner man, a life that has true, eternal value. And what has not entered into the heart of man, God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9. All of us will meet before God’s throne and will have to give an account of our life. That will be a glorious “payday” for all faithful souls who have been active in all that is good.

When Paul saw the Thessalonians’ work of faith and their labor of love he had no doubt that he was dealing with elected people who were loved by God. See 1 Thessalonians 1:3-7. Those who live the eternal life cannot but be active in the faith and labor of love. Tribulations and trials cannot rob them of their joy. V. 6. Yes, such people give off an aroma of life when they are on their deathbed.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. They have been set free from the law of sin and death by the law of the Spirit of life. They are a law unto themselves. Therefore a person who backbites such people backbites the law itself; he even judges the law. See James 4:11-12. The law of the Spirit of life strengthens our will to do the good to such a degree that we can live an overcoming life. However, sin is born when our will and our sinful desires become one. And if we then do not acknowledge it and pray for forgiveness, we will fall under the law of death, and our conscience will no longer react. Dead to sin! Alive unto God in Christ Jesus! That must be our firm position of faith. Then we seek those things that are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Then we worship God in our hidden life, in our thought life; then Christ is our life.

The Remembrance of Amalek Will Be Blotted Out

In Exodus 17:14-16 we read about Amalek as an illustration of the flesh with its passions and desires. Even the remembrance of Amalek was to be blotted out! The war against Amalek was to be fought from generation to generation.

When we read about Moses, from verse 9 onward, who labored in prayer, we should be filled with a spirit of zeal, a spirit of prayer and warfare. Now we can chase everything out the door that entered through the Fall. In Deuteronomy 25:19 we read that the remembrance of Amalek was to be blotted out from under heaven. At the end of the verse it says, “You shall not forget.” Let us not be like Saul who spared the best and the next best so that the prophet Samuel had to kill Agag, something that Saul should actually have done.

For example, arrogance and honor seeking represents Amalek and all his abominations. Let us learn from the history of Israel and open ourselves to the spirit of prayer and warfare against all the enemies in the flesh. Paul used strong words when he cursed all doctrines that lead away from the pure gospel. Read Galatians 1:6 and the following verses. It was not a printing error when he used words such as “let him be accursed.” Let us believe the true gospel that shows us the way out of all sin, all pride, and all defeat.

We can learn much by reading in Hebrews 11 about the heroes of faith in the old covenant. They fought for truth and justice; they lived and died for it and did not put their light under a basket. Now we live, and it is our task to fight against “Amalek” in our generation.

The Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation

During the feast at the end of the first summer conference after the youth and children’s conferences, brother Kåre J. Smith exhorted us to pray especially for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. It is one thing to have received the forgiveness of sins and be sealed with the Holy Spirit. It is something else again (and this is of the utmost importance) to hear what the Holy Spirit has to say to us. Without the Spirit of wisdom and revelation we will not find our way in life’s many situations. Wisdom is the purest thing of all. By it we receive grace to make the right decisions.

The angel of the church in Ephesus that we read about in Revelation 2 had left his first love. The first love is that we particularly love to hear the voice of our Bridegroom and walk in His counsel, that we love to be where He is and listen to His counsel. On the other hand, if we are occupied with seeking the honor of men and walk before their face, then we are not open to receive His words.

“Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps the law.” Prov. 29:18. If we do not walk in the counsel of the Lord so we can hear His clear word, we have neither authority nor power to “restrain” that which is carnal—neither in us nor around us. There are many strange counsels in a man’s heart. These intents and counsels of the heart are judged by God’s sharp sword (Heb. 4:12) if we have a living connection with Him in our heart. “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Ps. 73:24. What a blessed life it is to be led by the counsel of the Lord, to be where He speaks and have an intimate connection with Him in one’s heart.

Paul could testify that he had “not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” This is the task of the servant of the Lord: to declare the whole counsel of God, to be so pure that he is not afraid to proclaim the truth with all its possible ramifications without having any areas in his own life that would make it embarrassing for him to touch on certain truths.

A Thoroughly God-fearing Life

The second summer conference was opened this year with a heartfelt exhortation to live a God-fearing life in everything. Be God-fearing in the hidden. Be God-fearing when you are alone. Be God-fearing in our homes, in our thoughts. The generation of the God-fearing will be blessed. God keeps His mercy with His servants who walk before Him with all their hearts. 2 Chron. 6:14. Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord. Ps. 128:1.

To serve God on festive occasions and then continue to live on a human level in daily life testifies of a bad attitude. A God-fearing man and woman lives as we read in Psalm 1:2. They delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night. Such people always ask what the Lord’s pleasure is. Further on in the psalm we read how such people prosper in whatever they do, but “the ungodly are not so . . . .” V. 4.

Young people ought to take as examples brothers and sisters who have been devoted to God from their youth and who continue to serve the Lord. They should be on guard against bad companions that corrupt good manners. In Matthew 7:15 we read of false prophets who hide in sheep’s clothing, but inside they are ravenous wolves. Such people consider godliness a means of gain. Even in the church we have experienced such false men and women. They can have a lot of knowledge about the spiritual life but still have hard hearts. Such people use their knowledge to divide and rule. “Your enemies roar in the midst of Your meeting place . . . .” Ps. 74:4. They seek only their own. Just put them to the test, and you will discover that they are liars. They possess a destructive knowledge that puts fire into the Lord’s sanctuary. They bite and devour and consume their brothers with this satanic wisdom, as we read in Galatians 5:15. But God Himself will make it manifest “that none of them were of us.” 1 John 2:19.

All those who are God-fearing possess a spirit of acknowledgment. They acknowledge the truth, and the truth will set them free. Only after our passions and desires have been crucified with Christ can we enter into the peace and rest that is required for us to hear wisdom’s voice.

The person who lets any bitterness into his heart will end up in a backwater and will stagnate utterly. Such a person can still bear to hear the word of the cross, but he does not possess the power of the cross that puts an end to his self-life. All light that does not lead to fellowship is false light.

In Titus 2:11-12 we read about a grace that disciplines or chastens us. We must live in that grace, or we will end up going astray. Let us love the chastening. We experience the chastening in different ways. For example, we can be chastened by being treated unjustly. Then it is critical that we do not draw back from God’s grace, but pursue peace with all men, and sanctification, and commit everything to Him who judges righteously.

In Hebrews 11 we read about the heroes of faith in the Old Testament who desired a better, that is, a heavenly country. V. 16. And in Matthew 11, from verse 11, we read of the zeal with which God-fearing men and women press into the kingdom of heaven. When God’s kingdom appears with power and in all its glory, then light and peace will appear over the whole earth, and every tear will be wiped away. In Hebrews 11:40 we read that the heroes of faith of the old covenant will be perfected together with us. And by holy conduct and godliness we can hasten the coming of that Day. 2 Pet. 3:11-12. Then the laws that apply in God’s kingdom will also apply here on earth, and all suffering, sorrow, and loss will cease. “I want to fight for this kingdom!” brother Ole Olsen said when he was radically converted as a young man. First the Spirit and power of this kingdom shall do a work in us who believe, and then God’s kingdom will descend on earth with all power.

In Daniel 2 we read the prophecy of the Messiah’s kingdom that will destroy the kingdoms of this world, yet it will remain for all eternity. Then Jesus will come to earth together with all his saints.

In the meantime, the God-fearing will be built up as living stones to be a spiritual house. 1 Pet. 2:4, flg. There is no dissatisfaction, no offendedness, and no lust to criticize in this house. In this house we learn to praise God in tribulation for His perfect guidance. We learn a completely new song, the one we read about in Revelation 14. “These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” V. 4. Our spirit should testify to the fact that we have been redeemed from the earth and from among men. We have been called to live our life in heaven. There must not be an “earthly aroma” around our person.

The heavenly Jerusalem! An innumerable company of angels! The general assembly and church of the firstborn! The spirits of just men made perfect! Read Hebrews 12:22 and the following verses. What company to be part of! We are sanctified and we have become holy in order to fit into such blessed company. And the spirits of just men call out to us: Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world!

“Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You.” Zech. 14:5. What hope! What a future! We should live in the spirit of expectation, in expectation of Jesus’ soon return. He will come, and His reward will be with Him. “The bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him.” Matt. 25:6.

Faith and the Power to Act

Everything revolves around faith; therefore faith and the power to act are closely connected. By faith we were raised up together with Christ and sat in heavenly places. We can live an overcoming life in the Spirit of faith. God told Abraham to leave his country and his relations, for He wanted to make him a blessing. “So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him . . . .” Read Genesis 12:2, flg. Even then we can see the power to act through faith. Abram did not delay, but he did as he was told. We have many examples in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament of men and women of faith who possessed the power to act. Therefore if we in these days, in the dispensation of grace of the new covenant, are not set free from sin and defeat, it is because there is a lack of faith, the power to act, and a wholehearted surrender. Only in this action power, by faithfulness, can we be along in building and lifting up. In the account of Jesus calling His disciples, it says, for example: Immediately they left their nets and followed Him, and: They left their boat immediately and their father and followed Him. Matt. 4:18, flg. They were “immediate-people!” They did not need a lot of time to consider the matter; they did not hesitate. Our speech shall be “Yes” or “No.” Matt. 5:37. By reading things like this we are encouraged to be decisive and take a radical stand in the spirit of zeal, without reservation or hesitation. Read also the account in Luke 9:57-62. Many people never come to this “immediate-attitude.” We can accomplish things in the Spirit of faith. We learn to act immediately.

It is important to bring matters in order if there is something for which we should ask forgiveness and make good again if we have sinned in word or deed. We need to see to it that we have a pure and solid foundation on which we can continue to live. Go to action in this area. Start right away, and say or write whatever needs to be said or written—for example, if you have harmed your neighbor with backbiting or gossip.

Get Everything in Order

Based on what we read in Hebrews 9:8-14, we understand that we can now, in the dispensation of the new covenant, get everything in order in our life. We can live with a perfectly pure conscience. Then we must follow in His steps who offered Himself without spot to God in the power of an eternal Spirit. Only then can we serve the living God. V. 14. If we love the truth, the Spirit of truth will continue to reveal to us more of what needs to be put in order. Christ lives in us if we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, as Paul also testifies in Galatians 2:20. Then we will experience fellowship with Him in His sufferings and can follow Him on the way through the flesh. Our flesh and the flesh He took upon Himself, is the same flesh. That is plainly written in Hebrews 2:14-18.

It was the flesh with its passions and desires that covered the entrance into the sanctuary, in which everything is divine and heavenly. If we are to advance on this way, the way that goes through the flesh, then we must be watchful each moment for the workings of the Spirit. All spiritual people are watchful people.

In Romans 7:7 Paul reminds us of the requirement of the law: “You shall not covet.” This desire is hidden and allows a person to lead a nice, proper life outwardly, whereas inwardly he can be full of “dead men’s bones and all uncleanness,” as Jesus said to the Pharisees. In the account of the woman who was caught in adultery, we see that Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:11. Sin no more! Here Jesus came with something totally new when compared to the Old Testament. He redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.” Gal. 3:13. In Hebrews 13:13 we are invited to go to Him outside the camp where we are crucified with Him. There we enter into a development and learn to discern between good and evil to an increasingly deeper degree. Now the requirement of the law, “You shall not covet,” can be fulfilled in us. This desire was hidden, and the law could not deal with it. Jesus has redeemed us from our aimless conduct, which we have inherited from our forefathers. 1 Pet. 1:18. Now we can be set free from all carnal unrest, from all hidden demands. For example, just think to be set free from the unrest that comes from wondering what people think and believe about us!

The new life is not something that we can boast of. It is a life behind the veil where everything is God’s work. Read Hebrews 9:3-4. Paul was so apprehended of the righteousness of God that he considered everything else rubbish. Read Philippians 3:7, flg. This is truly a much better attitude than the attitude the rich young man displayed that we read about in Matthew 19.

Lose Yourself

“For what advantage is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Luke 9:25.

During the last meeting of the main conference brother Kåre J. Smith made a strong appeal to the young people who were not yet born again and reminded them that all of us have, so to speak, our bodies on loan for a short time. The one who does not accept the heavenly calling will lose himself or destroy himself. During our lifetime we have the opportunity to follow in the Master’s steps and develop to be a person in Christ. He is the good Shepherd and wants to be your Shepherd, dear young friend, beginning with your young years. Then you will come out of the race of this world and into a development in which you will mature for eternity. You will go through life as an overcomer, and at your life’s conclusion you will enter eternity fully laden with eternal, glorious fruits.

Arild Tombre