Therefore Do Not Let Sin Reign!

Therefore Do Not Let Sin Reign!

During the last meeting of the Easter Conference, brother Bjørn Nilsen mentioned in his testimony that an appropriate headline for the entire conference would be the exhortation from Romans 6:12, “Therefore do not let sin reign . . . .”

Again another blessed Brunstad Conference has concluded, and may all the words of God that were sown into our hearts during the conference continue to work and bear fruit to God’s glory. More than 8,000 con­ference participants were registered. The following is a brief summary, mostly of Br. Kåre Smith’s messages.

The Law of the Spirit of Life

In Psalm 90:1 we read, “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” In Ephesians 2:20-22 we read that we are called to be a dwelling place, “a habitation of God in the Spirit.” God will raise up this dwelling place for all the nations. All those who make up this habitation, this holy temple in the Lord, are set free from the law of sin and death. Their spirits have been filled with the laws of the Spirit of life, which have been written in their minds and hearts. “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2.

When we read James 1:13-15, we understand what the law of sin and death is. It is not sin to be tempted. However, if we agree with what we are tempted to do, sin is born. If this sin is not acknowledged or confessed, death is born. We can conquer all sin in the power of the Holy Spirit. All of us have a free will with which we can refuse to agree with what we are tempted to do. We really should ask ourselves: What do I want to do with my life? We have full liberty to choose and full liberty to walk in the Spirit, and then we do not fulfill the desires of the flesh.

One of the first things God said after the fall was an exhortation to Cain to rule over sin. Sin does not have power over us if we walk in the Spirit. We will never come under the law of sin and death if we are not in agreement with our sinful desires. On the contrary, we will rather ex­perience what we read in Romans 6 about being crucified with Him—dead with Him—and thus living our life on resurrection ground, which is an exceedingly glorious and blessed life. It is not the intention that we, as believers, should continue to sin!

The church was built on the foun­dation of the apostles and prophets as a “holy temple in the Lord.” When we think of the church in our days, we have had a “profile” from the be­ginning that was anchored in God’s Word to which we must be faithful. Now we must use the time of grace to be molded, for the prophetic word tells us that the nations shall walk in the light of the church. Rev. 21:24. This light is contained in the laws and commandments of the Spirit of life with which we must fill our­selves. When we read expressions such as “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:23) we realize that we ought to be filled with a spirit of zeal in our battle against sin. The kingdom of heaven is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. It is love, goodness, mercy—all the virtues of Christ. Jesus spoke about being seasoned [salted] with fire and about the strength of salt. Mark 9:49-50. We could say that salt is our ability to choose the good and reject the evil. Let us be on guard so that this salt does not lose its strength!

Consolation in Christ

The person who asks himself this question, “Will I be along when Je­sus returns?” should be able to give this answer: “Yes, if my consolation is in Christ.” We will experience abundant consolation in Christ as we partake of a deeper life in Christ.

“Therefore if there is any consola­tion in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded . . . .” Phil. 2:1-2.

Paul longed to see the same mind that Jesus had, among the Philip­pians. Only then could his joy be fulfilled. In Chapter 2 we read about this mind that was in Jesus. After the disciples had argued about who of them was the greatest, Jesus said that He was as a servant among them. A servant is not bothered with questions about who is great, greater, and greatest! All a servant has to do is serve. We read that Jesus took the form of a servant, humbled Himself, and became obedient until death, even the death of the cross.

We read further in the same chap­ter that God is the One who works in us. To what purpose? So that we humble ourselves! Therefore we are exhorted, “Do all things without murmuring and disputing.” V. 14.

Many people seek to be consoled outside of Christ. Perhaps they go to some brothers or sisters and complain when they think they have been unjustly treated. As a result, those to whom they complained also become agitated causing a bitter root to grow up. The end result can be a mountain out of a molehill—and all this because one does not know how to seek one’s consolation in Christ.

The person who is not willing to suffer will not find his consolation in Christ. Think how comforting it is when we read that the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin! Be finished with sin! Then sin will not bother you anymore, and a divine life will take its place.

In Philippians 2:1 we also read about fellowship of the Spirit. Fel­lowship arises when we walk in the light. There is a breach in fellowship when we become great in ourselves. We have fellowship when we are true servants; then we are also being saved from seeking approval and recognition.

We read about the penetrating power of the Word in Hebrews 4:12, and that it judges the secret thoughts and intents of the heart. This is not something that the apostle quoted from a book; it was his personal expe­rience. We will become partakers of the consolation that is in Christ if we let the Word judge the thoughts of our heart. “But rejoice, to the extent that you partake of Christ’s suffer­ings . . . .” 1 Pet. 4:13. We can rightly conclude that our sufferings are not the sufferings of Christ if they do not lead to joy. Then we have suffered because of our self-love.

Purge Out the Old Leaven

“Therefore purge out the old leaven . . . Therefore let us keep the feast . . . .” 1 Cor. 5:7-8. “For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” In John 6:53 we read, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” Christ’s flesh is God’s Word translated into action. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We can only “eat” this flesh, this Word, with a totally pure heart. We do not receive any nourishment from, or revelation in, God’s Word with impurity in our heart.

God’s Word judges the secret thoughts of the heart. There the Word has much to judge, especially all the thoughts that circle around “I, I, and I . . . .” You will not have any strength in your spirit if these thoughts are not judged and put to death, nor will you speak as the Word of God even though you ex­press yourself ever so eloquently. If you speak God’s Word it will pierce through and the listeners will receive a purified heart through the Word that was spoken. But then all these self-centered thoughts and words of this disgusting “I, I, I” have to vanish. Therefore we also read in James 1:21 that we must lay aside all filthiness and receive the Word with meek­ness. Then the Word will be for our salvation, even a constantly deeper salvation.

In Ezekiel 14 we read about the hypocrites who came to inquire of the Lord while in their hearts they clung to their idols. The Lord’s word regarding this matter was: “Should I let Myself be inquired of at all by them?” V. 3. Not at all! All the leaven of ungodliness had to be cleansed out first. And in the previous sentence it says, “These men have . . . put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.” It is just as necessary to take this to heart in our days when all kinds of idols and sins are only a keystroke away.

God reveals Himself to us through His Word only if we are pure. Then we can drink of the spirit that is in the Word and experience that the letters in the Bible almost jump out of the Book and into our hearts where they create life. Then our thoughts will be preserved in Christ, and peace and rest will fill our hearts and minds.

A Wholehearted Life

A wholehearted life in the church is an indescribable blessing. The Bible describes the law of the old cov­enant as a shadow when compared to the new covenant. Nevertheless, Israel had tremendous promises of great blessings if they would only be obedient to the laws and command­ments of the old covenant. We can read about it in Deuteronomy 28, among other places, for example in verses 7 and 13. These scriptures testify about victory and progress. However, there was a clear condi­tion: If you listen to the command­ments of the Lord your God! Seeing that the old covenant contained such great promises we understand that the life and blessings of the new covenant are so much more glori­ous. It is as brother Elias Aslaksen writes in one of his songs: “With joy do what God does require! Then blessings He’ll pour down like rain!” Ways of the Lord, #391 verse 5. Only the wholehearted receive strength to fulfill the conditions and thus have the windows of heaven opened for them. A person will remain weak and without strength if he wants to continue to play with sin. Concern­ing wholeheartedness we read in Malachi 3:10: “‘And prove me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’”

In Romans 5:12 we read that sin and death permeated all mankind. However, the message of the gospel is that all the grief and difficulties that entered through the fall can now be cleansed out. There should be a radical and zealous cry in our inner man: Out with it! Now something totally different shall permeate our children and young people! No more shall sin and defeat, laziness and in­difference permeate them, but rather victory and a divine life! And if we believe that something so great can happen that what entered in through the fall can be cleansed out again, then we must also understand that the way is the same as it was for the Master—through sufferings in the flesh to glory; through death to life!

The Salvation of the Soul

Our soul needs a Shepherd and Overseer, as we read in 1 Peter 2:25. Our soul goes astray without Jesus as our Shepherd and Overseer. He al­ways has the salvation of our soul in mind in the various ups and downs of life. Ch. 1:9.

Jesus Himself poured out His soul unto death. We can compare our soul to a vessel whose content is our will, our strength, our feelings, our ability to judge—a self-life that, because of the fall, is far from accept­able to God. We cannot rely on our feelings or on our understanding of what is right and wrong. Everything has to be tried against God’s Word because our own feelings do not speak the truth. For example, the others’ mistakes can appear so great whereas our own appear to be so in­significant. The soul needs salvation. To begin with it only has a sense for what is human and earthly. All of that must be poured out.

As another example, our human reasoning will usually tell us that the way we view a matter is right. How­ever, we tend to forget that we live in the world of the fall. God’s sharp word has to find a way to our hidden thoughts in order to judge and sepa­rate. The Shepherd and Overseer of our soul has to give the correct un­derstanding. The first impulses we receive in life’s situations will often come from our soul, on which we cannot rely. They have to be tested against God’s Word. Reflection must preserve us. Christ became a life-giving spirit and He wants to give life to our spirit so we can get a sense for what belongs to the kingdom of heaven. 1 Cor. 15:45. If we desire to become as the heavenly Man is (v. 48) then we must follow Him on the way He went. These heavenly beings have understood to pour out their soul and its understanding of a matter; however, those who remain earthly and are earthly minded have no sense for heavenly things. They are always on the lookout for earthly splendor, earthly enjoyment, and earthly glory. When the Lord makes our spirit alive, we learn to look into the hidden world, which is far more glorious than that which is visible and corruptible. Then we are satis­fied with seeing Christ, and we also will one day bear the heavenly im­age—we will receive an incorruptible body like Jesus. What a victory that will be! What a reward!

Vessels of Mercy

It is an inconceivably great grace to be a vessel of mercy. A vessel of mercy has received mercy from God and has merciful thoughts. For example, we read in 1 Samuel 24 that David was being persecuted by Saul, but he spared Saul’s life and said, “Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. But my hand shall not be against you.” V. 13. Jesus said to love your enemies, bless, do good, etc. A vessel of mercy is called to bless.

In Romans 3 we almost can see an x-ray picture of mankind according to the flesh. It says that there is no one who is righteous, not one who seeks God. God, in His grace, has sought us and allowed us to become vessels of mercy, as we read in Romans 9:23. We acknowledge that we need a Savior, and He will do a great work in each and every one of us whom He has called to be a vessel of mercy

“For by grace you have been saved through faith . . . .” Eph. 2:8. In verse 10 we read that God has prepared everything for us. He has given us salvation as well as works, but we have to put on the bridal gar­ment in life’s various situations. We have come to the “college on Zion,” and we must be determined to finish our “course.” God will make known the riches of His glory over the ves­sels of mercy who He has prepared beforehand for glory.

God has prepared everything for us, and His desire is to conform us to the image of His Son in life’s many situations. In 2 Corinthians 6 Paul mentions a number of profound trials in which he always “kept his balance” not only as a Christian, but also as a servant of the Lord who exhorted, blessed, and helped in the midst of his tribulations.

It is our calling to bless if we have become a vessel of mercy. 1 Pet. 3:9. Let us live worthy of this calling. The requirement for finishing this course is a profound fear of God.

Therefore Do Not Let Sin Reign!

The Mediator, the Spirit of Truth, shall lead us into all truth. He makes it possible for us to be transformed in our inner man. The Spirit shows us sin and its manifestations in our own body to an ever increasing degree. We have the opportunity to put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. But we have to acknowledge that we have sin, which does not mean that we should let sin reign over us. “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.” Rom. 6:12. “For sin shall not have domin­ion over you . . . .” V. 14.

It is an exceedingly great glory that sin can be condemned in the flesh. Rom. 8:3. And when we read about walking in the light (1 John 1) and being cleansed in Jesus’ blood, it does not speak about backsliding Christians who have let sin rule, with the result that they have fallen and must pray for the forgiveness of their sins. Not at all! Here it speaks about wholehearted disciples who go from light to light and who, when they do what they hate, put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit. This is where it is important to be zealous and upright so that we can become aware of the sin that dwells in us and can surrender it into the death of Christ. This is the new and living way. The sin of fornication merits particular mention in the Scriptures. Because of these things God’s wrath will come upon the sons of unbelief, or disobedience. Read Colossians 3:6.

It is significant what we read about Moses, that he chose to suf­fer instead of enjoying “the passing pleasures of sin.” Heb. 11:25.

Do not let sin reign! When we follow in the Master’s steps, He who was perfected through sufferings, we shall know that we also are on the way to glory when we suffer instead of committing sin. Read Hebrews 2:10.