Summer Conferences

Two conferences, one message, even as it is written in Ephesians 4:4, “. . . one body and one Spirit.” Several thousand friends, young and old, from all parts of the world were gathered again at Brunstad where two summer conferences were held. The central theme was God’s Word that gives direction for each individual’s life and for church life. At the same time things were made as pleasant as possible for the large flock of children and young people, so that they could enjoy themselves and take unforgettable memories home with them from this summer’s gatherings with other youths from various countries.

It is not easy to record the fullness of the edifying words and messages that we heard during the summer; nevertheless, we are going to cite the main contents of Br. Kåre J. Smith’s message:

Righteousness in What Is Least and in What Is Much

In 2 Corinthians 3:6 Paul writes about the ministry of the new covenant. He also calls it the ministry of the Spirit and the ministry of righteousness; he even describes it as the ministry of glory. The intention is that the glory of Christ—His life, His virtues—radiate from us in our life by this ministry in life’s many circumstances. Our spirit is made alive through the ministry of the Spirit, and Jesus can impart His wisdom to this quickened spirit.

“He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10. These are Jesus’ words. What is least and what is much is clearly explained in the following verse. There we read about the unrighteous mammon in contrast to the true riches; about what belongs to others in contrast to what is our own. Money and everything we can buy for money are false riches. A heavenly life, light, and revelation are true riches. Yet people often make themselves enemies with these false riches even though Jesus exhorts us to make ourselves friends with these earthly things. Money, and everything we can get for money actually belongs to others; we see this clearly when our life on earth comes to an end. Therefore we are only stewards, not owners, of everything earthly that God has entrusted to us.

Very few people have been entrusted with true riches. Very few people receive receive heavenly light and revelation about which to steward, and which will be their eternal possessions. According to Jesus’ words it is plain to see that this is the result of unfaithfulness in that which is least; it is the result of unrighteousness. Unrighteousness in handling money and material things, and even unrighteousness in how they treat their fellow men, their fellow brothers and sisters.

In 2 Timothy 2:19 ff, we read among other things: “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity [unrighteousness].” Then we read about vessels for honor and for dishonor. When we think of the high and holy calling we have, what we are used for is extremely important—what the vessel we are is used for. A vessel for honor will never be used for backbiting or unrighteousness. A vessel for honor is always pure and can increasingly be filled with a heavenly life.

There are so many ways for a person to be unrighteous. Even in the church one can be crafty in seeking earthly advantages; for example, by getting things done for free by means of the social contacts that we often have; one can even be a beggar in the midst of the church. One can also “beg” for others; for example, by suggesting a collection when the person could have done something himself. The new life that God creates in us is a righteous life—righteous in thought, word, and deed. In 1 John 3:10 we also read that love and righteousness go hand in hand.

The world understands nothing about righteousness. This is plainly written in Romans 3:10: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” We must be saved unto righteousness. We must receive the Holy Spirit who is the teacher of righteousness. He wants to illuminate our thought life, our words and our actions, and discipline us to be righteousness. The intention is that we become permeated by righteousness. The righteous are always glad and thankful. This is a work of sanctification. First we have peace with God—this does not mean that we have all the peace that is in God. We are made righteous by faith; but this doesn’t mean either that we possess all the righteousness that is in God. See Rom. 5:3. But the teacher of righteousness, the Holy Spirit, shall lead us into all truth, into the righteousness that is in God.

For example, let us think of the use of the tongue when it pertains to antipathy and sympathy. You praise one person with the idea of humbling another one. You speak glowingly about caring for those who are in need, but you are nowhere to be seen when others are in great trials. We are debtors to love each other. And what does a righteous person do when he is in debt? He pays down his debt. In this instance he practices righteousness in that which is least and in that which is much.

The glaring lack of personal righteousness was most likely the reason only five of the ten virgins (in Jesus’ parable) were ready to go to the wedding. They were not completely permeated by personal righteousness. However, the wise virgins had done what Timothy was exhorted to: “Meditate on these things, give yourself entirely to them . . . Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them . . . .” 1 Tim. 4:15-16.

“That . . . He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Eph. 1:10. Jesus’ followers are in heaven even as they are on earth. Raised up together with Christ, and seated together in the heavenly places. Then everything will truly be gathered in one in Christ—both that which is in heaven and that which is on earth. Then we are stewards over what God has entrusted us in life. We find the laws of the kingdom of God in life’s circumstances and thus the heavenly is bound to the earthly. Then we experience that the Scriptures discipline us to righteousness, as we read in 2 Timothy 3:16. Reading verse 15 we realize the indescribably great grace of knowing the Holy Scriptures from childhood on. In life’s trials we can then easily remember what we have heard and learned, and then, if we are keenly interested, we will become, as it is written, “wise for salvation.”

In Revelation 22:11 it is apparent that when the time of grace for the Gentiles comes to an end the individual is, so to speak, locked into the course in which he is found. He who is righteous, let him continue to do righteousness, and he who is holy, let him continue to become sanctified. Let us take this seriously to heart so that we are among those who “continue to be sanctified.”

God’s Hidden Wisdom

In 1 Corinthians 1:21 Paul writes that we are saved through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. This is when we are richly endowed with the reproach of Christ through the cross that denies us the right to live for ourselves, but which also opens the door to the life of Christ and all its glory. Some examples of the foolishness of the message preached are: It is more blessed to give than to receive; and suffering unjustly with joy. Not many people see any glory in this. This is foolishness to the natural man. 1 Cor. 2:14. It would be extremely unfaithful to preach the message to suit our human reasoning.

In verse 7 we read that God’s wisdom is hidden. It is hidden to those who are humanly wise and prudent, but it is revealed to babes. For example, Paul says, “But we also glory in tribulations.” Rom. 5:3. Again, this is something that the natural man considers foolishness. But those who see wisdom in it experience that tribulations produce patience—even an eternal fullness of glory. Those who have the mind of Christ experience this. We read about this blessed mind of Christ in Philippians 2. Here we clearly see that the mind of Christ is to humble yourself under the mighty hand of God in life’s circumstances. We should ask ourselves: To how great a degree have I humbled myself in life’s changing circumstances, so that a life of peace and rest shines from me? God has hidden this peace and this rest in His wisdom, but He has revealed it on the way of humiliation.

Kindness

In Galatians 5:22 we read a list of some of the fruit of the Spirit—blessed virtues of Christ. For example, when we think of kindness and goodness it sounds as if we knew it well, but the truth of the matter is that only someone who is far advanced on the way of life really possesses these virtues. We should realize the value of these virtues even from when we are young, and strive after them.

In James 3:17 we read a similar list concerning the attributes of wisdom. The first one mentioned is purity. Everything in God’s kingdom is pure—unshakable and firm. All the wonderful attributes of wisdom proceed from a pure heart, such as peaceableness, being willing to yield, gentleness, and mercy. What a good effect this has in family life and in church life. Be tenderhearted to one another in brotherly love! This is Paul’s exhortation to us in Romans 12 where he also says that he exhorts by God’s mercy.

In the Bible we read about Moses who, in his younger years, could be rather hot-tempered, but after he had been nurtured in God’s school for many years he became the meekest man on earth in his time. Joseph is also a good example of a genuine life of Christ. We see how kindly he spoke to his brothers. The entire account of Joseph is a testimony of kindness, goodness, and reconciliation. “A noble man has noble thoughts, and he stands by what is noble.” Isa. 32:8.

Part of love and wisdom is being able to correct someone. But first we try with kindness. “A gentle [kind] tongue breaks bones.” Prov. 25:15. About Saul and Jonathan it says that they were “beloved and pleasant [kind] in their lives.” They were great warriors, to be sure; nevertheless, they were “kind in their lives.” God’s men in our days have also been, and are, great warriors in a spiritual sense, but at the same time they are good and gentle.

Paul exhorted the Corinthians by the meekness and gentleness of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:1. They thought of him as being humble in their midst, but bold and strict in his absence. His preaching was obviously sharp and radical, something that is necessary when the gospel is being preached. However, his meekness and gentleness was a door opener that opened hearts to his radical message, and made it easy to be together with him. When we read about the difference of opinion that arose between him and Barnabas with regard to Mark, and how he at a later point in time spoke warm and good words about Mark, we realize that this great apostle also developed and grew in the good.

In 1 Thessalonians 2 we get a glimpse of Paul’s gentleness and goodness. “We were gentle among you, just as a mother warms her children at her breast.” V. 7. May this gentleness, goodness, and warmth of Jesus Christ be truly evident in our conduct and in our ministry.

When the Word Receives “Arms and Legs”

Jesus brought life and incorruption to the light through the gospel. In Him the eternal Word of Life became flesh. He could say, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and He who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. The words He spoke were spirit and life. The Word became flesh; in Him the Word received “arms and legs.” Those who believe in Him, out of their lives can now “flow rivers of living water.” Ch. 7:38. Not just droplets, but rivers!

Jesus said about Himself that He had come for this very purpose that we who believe may have life and life more abundantly. Ch. 10:10. A good tree bears good fruit. Not bad fruit once in a while. Always good fruit! We cannot waver between two sides if we are “good trees.”

It says in Isaiah 48:17-18 that our peace will be like a river if we take heed to God’s commandments. Then our righteousness will be like the waves of the sea. Then it is not a problem, for example, if you are backbitten. The waves of righteousness will just wash away all the evil that may have been said about you. The apostle John writes that life was manifested; we have seen it and our hands have handled it. 1 John 1:1-4. This is not a matter of a new doctrine, but of a new life—a life that you can touch and handle. We can come to this life by the power of the Holy Spirit; we can be followers of Christ and walk around among our fellow men as a word of life, a word of life that has received arms and legs. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14. If we are His followers, if the Word has increasingly become flesh in us too, then people should be able to see this glory in us as well. All those in whom the Word is becoming flesh have perfect fellowship with one another. There are no discordant notes in such fellowship—only perfect harmony.

To come to such a life and such fellowship we must abide in His Word, as Jesus exhorts us to do in John 8:31. We cannot enter into this life by living a “cloister life,” or an ascetic life. We must learn to know the laws of the Spirit of life. When we learn to know the truth we really are being set free—free from sin. V. 32. Abide in the Word! We must receive the word that is being proclaimed to us as the Word of God, not as the word of man. It says about God’s Word that it effectively works in those who believe. 1 Thess. 2:13. It is not the word of a man! It is the word from God, from Him directly to you and me! It is a word for our salvation! Let us therefore not do as the many who just hear and read it as if it were the words of men.

Through Tribulations to Glory

We read in Hebrews 2:10 that God brought many sons to glory and made the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. We realize from the Scriptures that the way to glory is through tribulations. However, when we read about it, we can so easily dwell on the sufferings instead of rejoicing over the fact that God leads us to glory! Jesus said to His disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1-4. We must cling to this word when we encounter troubling things in life. Then Jesus goes on to say that there are many mansions in His Father’s house, something that also testifies to the fact that God provides a lot of space for His saints. We should also make room for our fellow men and include them all in our hearts. “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” Blessed is everyone who knows the way to the Father’s house. Jesus went that way from the deepest humiliation right to God’s throne; through sufferings to glory. On this way our hearts are filled with hope and joy in the midst of life’s battles.

“But God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. We must believe this and take it to heart. For example, the person who dresses according to the fashions of the world, according to what is “highly esteemed among men” may well say to himself that God does not look at outward things. Very true, but He also knows of the worldliness and madness in the heart, the very thing that causes the world and worldliness to show up in dress and “the latest fashion.” Jesus was born in poverty. Mary, His mother, praised God, “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” Ch. 1:48. A proud spirit and worldliness were far from Mary’s heart. “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” V. 53. Indeed, those who idolize what is great in the eyes of men always go away with empty hands.

We see from 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 that God chose the base things of the world and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, “that no flesh should glory in His presence.” No one has anything to boast of. In verse 30 we see that it is only a question of what Christ Jesus has become for us, whether He has become for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. The Day of reckoning will be a glorious day for all those who have followed Jesus on the way of suffering, the way that leads to glory. We ought to rejoice over such a blessed calling!

Divine Love

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor. 13:13. Faith, hope, and love preserve the church. Without these three, the result is defeat. Then everything ends up on a human level. Without faith no one can please God. Without love we are nothing. The gifts will fall away, but these three will remain. We can clearly see this in God-fearing brothers and sisters who lose of their gifts at an advanced age; nevertheless, their lives still radiate from a weak, earthen vessel. It should also be easy to understand that a person is truly nothing if he speaks so that thousands are converted while at the same time, in his home, he is bitter toward his spouse or hard toward his children. We understand this clearly from reading the first three verses in the same chapter. Only a personal life in God imparts meaning and content to a life. We must have our life in God, not in our ministry. Those who live this life are always poor in spirit; they always yearn for more of Christ.

A God-fearing sister once wrote a letter greeting another sister: Greet all the friends who stand in Jesus Christ. In Luke 21:36 we read about standing before the Son of Man at His coming. And in Ephesians 6:13 we read about standing after we have overcome everything. If we do not remain standing we will fall out of love, and thus out of God. Then we will have no defense but rather be easy prey for evil spirit powers. In Matthew 24:12 we read, “Because unrighteousness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” But the one who endures until the end—that is, abides in love until the end—will be saved.

There is no shadow of turning in divine love. Human love can easily change. It is easily influenced by the others’ conduct. There is an essential difference between the love of God and human love. The person whose love grows cold has never experienced having God’s love poured out into his heart, or he has been unfaithful in pursuing love. Paul constantly and increasingly opened his heart; he obtained a constantly increasing fullness of love. He drew near to God and partook of the love that does not change because of other people’s conduct. When we read Matthew 5:44-48 we gain insight into God’s love. At the end of this scripture we read, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Then we have to take 1 Peter 1:22 to heart: “Purify your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” Unfeigned. Uncolored. Not influenced by the others’ conduct. The others’ conduct must effect a deeper cleansing, a cleansing of our soul to unfeigned love. Here it doesn’t say that we should be busy purifying the others, trying to put things that are none of our business in order. On the contrary, it is we who need to be cleansed from our egotism, so that we obtain this unfeigned love and remain standing after we have overcome everything.

Jesus loved us while we were yet enemies. He remained in love and could, at the end, commit His spirit into His Father’s hands—a pure and undefiled spirit, even though He had suffered unjustly throughout His life. We can easily sin and come under the sway of the devil, especially when we think we are suffering unjustly.

In Jude 20 we read that we are to build ourselves up on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit; then we can be preserved in the love of God.

During the conference we were also exhorted not to neglect the prayer meetings in our home churches.

Drink of One Spirit

In Revelation 17 we read about the great harlot, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and filthiness. The golden cup can be compared to God’s Word which the great harlot uses, but in an impure spirit. People are deceived because they can neither discern nor expose the spirit in which it is spoken. The apostles fought against such impure powers that came as angels of light. The usual religiosity of our days is just like that. The golden cup is full of abominations, also in our days, and many people are being deceived. “They read God’s Word,” many people say; but they cannot discern the spirit in which the words are being spoken.

We too have experienced that some people are using the words and writings of elder brothers who have passed on as letters of accusation against those brothers who are currently offering themselves for the church’s well-being and for the eternal welfare of the coming generations. Articles that our elders have written in their time in order to expose the opposers’ deception are being taken completely out of context and used against those who currently, out of love for the church and all the youth among us, are sacrificing time and strength, and bearing burdens in our days. This is mockery; it is the golden cup that has been filled with filthiness.

In 1 Corinthians 12:13 we read, “We have all received one Spirit to drink from.” By this one Spirit we have become one body. This one Spirit is the Spirit of truth. Those who possess this Spirit judge themselves and are not busybodies in other people’s matters. They work out their own salvation in godly fear; they become one. In Ephesians 5:18 Paul exhorts us to be filled with the Spirit. In the following verses we note the kind of life—the joy and mutual fellowship— this leads to. We can “drink” of this Spirit. Jesus said, “My words are spirit and life.” We become enthusiastic through His word; we are apprehended by it. God’s Word in the Bible can be read, but it is even more important to drink of the spirit that is in the Word. For example, let us take Jesus’ words in Luke 12:22 ff., where He exhorts us not to worry, but rather seek God’s kingdom and have everything else added to us. We can read these words, but how glorious everything becomes when we “drink” of that carefree spirit that is in these words. For another example, see 1 Peter 4:12 ff., where we read about trials that produce an eternal fullness of glory. We can read this as information, but let us drink of the Spirit and be strong in God. However, you have to be a disciple—a wholehearted disciple—to be able to drink at all.

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14. We become a part of the Word when we drink of the Spirit in the Word. We will have peace and rest, and we will be able to love one another. We will have this fountain within us and can thus help others.

True Fear of God

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear . . . .” 1 John 4:18. The fear that is indicated here is the fear of a slave. However, when our mindset is as it is written in verse 19, “We love Him, because He first loved us,” then we possess true godly fear and we fear to do anything against Him whom we love. There is an amazing preserving power in the fear of God that chases the fear of a slave out the door. By the fear of God we are faithful to each other; for example, in marriage. The person who is unfaithful brings a curse over his own generation. All of Jesus’ disciples walk in the Spirit of fear, fearing not to live according to God’s good pleasure.

We seek to persuade men in the fear of God. 2 Cor. 5:11. If we are God-fearing, we will not come to a meeting listless and indifferent. On the contrary, we will have it on our heart to edify the others. Indifference locks out the Spirit of revelation, but the fear of God gives us eyes that are awake to God’s working. It teaches us to pray for the others, and the spirit of accusation will be far removed. An indifferent person doesn’t understand how serious the matter is, he doesn’t see the dangers that await each person. The fear of God has preserved the church until now. In Proverbs 14:26 it says that the fear of the Lord is a strong defense, and His children will have a place of refuge. Just consider the blessing that also comes over the next generation through the fear of God.

The fear of God teaches us to speak true, walk in truth, and avoid all falsehood. The apostles were not “preachers.” They spoke as the word of God; they did not seek man’s favor. Let us follow in their steps. May all speaking among us testify to the fear of God, including all songs and music, so that we sing and play to the praise of the Lord in the Spirit of the church from a pure heart. We should especially emphasize songs about the Lord’s return and sing them in the Spirit of expectation.

A Shepherd’s Goodness and Mind of Sacrifice

“For the love of Christ constrains us . . . .” 2 Cor. 5:14. In the following verse we read about no longer living for ourselves, but for Him. We also read in Chapter 8:5: First for the Lord, and then for our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Serve the Lord! Do not submit to strong human spirits and people who desire to rule over others. “Do you love Me?” This was Jesus’ searching question to Peter. It was in this love for Jesus that Peter was to feed the church. Our entire ministry must be performed out of love for Jesus. Jesus Himself said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11. It is in this good shepherd’s goodness and mind of sacrifice that we too, in our days, can gather “the sheep” and feed them. Then we will receive the Spirit of revelation and the sheep will gladly go where they find food. The hireling acts differently. He doesn’t bear the sheep on his heart. V. 13. He acts out of self-interest. Self-interests spread; they do not gather.

A good shepherd has both rod and staff. The rod is meant for the wolf. The shepherd’s staff is for the lambs and sheep. Paul feared that after his passing ravenous wolves would enter in among the sheep. It is in the wolf’s nature to take, not to give. Such “wolves” are out to gain power and influence. They speak perverse things to draw the disciples to themselves. The good shepherd’s mind is to give. He receives the necessary wisdom to watch the flock. He watches God’s flock with a willing heart, not for the sake of sordid gain—neither for money nor honor. 1 Pet. 5:1-4. He becomes an example for the flock and receives the crown of glory that does not fade away. The crown of glory that does not fade away is woven by people who have been helped by a person’s ministry performed out of love and care. 1 Thess. 2:19-20. The good shepherd’s power is love, and care is the shepherd’s staff. He has food to give—abundant food. It is good for every one of us to ask ourselves this question: How many people have I actually helped? On the other hand, instructors are aware that they do not have food to give; therefore they begin to hit and rule. They become drier, and drier, and drier. Such wolves shall feel that the shepherds have a rod with which to chase them away.

It is edifying to read (in Ezekiel 44:15) about Zadok’s sons who were permitted to serve before the Lord’s face. The Levites who hadn’t been faithful were not entrusted with this ministry. They could receive forgiveness for their unfaithfulness but they were excluded from the most exalted ministry in the sanctuary. It is like the priests about whom we read in Leviticus 21:21. They had a blemish and were not allowed to present the bread of God. Let us therefore hate everything that gives us a blemish; hate all self-interest, all personal plans and tendencies. A good shepherd is unselfish and a blessing for each and every one.

The Full Assurance of Faith

“Now faith is the full assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1. Everyone can believe. Those who think they cannot believe should rather say, “I will not believe!” Faith opens the eyes to eternal treasures. With the eyes of faith we look into things that are eternal and imperishable just as clearly as we see perishable things with our natural eyes. Faith never rests in the creation. Faith rests only in Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.

The heroes of faith have always confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on earth. Heavenly faith leads us right to our heavenly homeland. Faith sets us free from things visible and binds us to the eternal and invisible. Through faith the Word comes alive; “the word of God which also effectively works in you who believe.” 1 Thess. 2:13.

“For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Heb. 11:6. Faith takes over more and more as we go forward in life. This is not a question of feelings, but of building your life on the Word, putting your trust in what God has said. We have a good example of this in Ephesians 6:5-8: “In sincerity of heart, as to Christ . . . with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord . . . .” It should be enough for us that the Lord rewards those who seek Him. For example, if someone bears a grudge against another, it is because he does not believe. Faith in God rewarding the one who seeks God has failed, giving rise to problems. Therefore we must always be built up on our faith so that we always abide in love. Our meetings must be filled with the message of faith. There must be an end to all complaining and whining about our problems and difficulties.

If we are in a trial of faith we should rather anoint our head and wash our face (Matt. 6:17) and be especially bold and glad. For God is, and He rewards those who seek Him.

Arild Tombre