Guidance

Guidance

based on God’s Word should always be intended for people who want to live the life of a disciple, who want to be wholehearted disciples of Christ here on earth.

People who are not enlightened by God’s Spirit cannot understand what is written in God’s Word or what is meant by it, nor will it help them.

The Church is God’s judgment seat among believers on earth. Many people will feel judged when the light is set in the lampstand. Therefore we must, as Paul did, clearly differentiate between those who are “outside” and those who are inside.” He writes as follows in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13: “For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves that wicked person.’”

If these guidelines are applied without making this distinction, then what you say may awaken many reactions, and many difficult situations can arise. Disciples must be guided by the light of God’s Word, and true disciples will love the light that illuminates the darkness and judges their works. It is our task to be stewards of this light among those who are “inside”—those who desire o live as Jesus’ disciples in their time.

It ought to be natural to treat everyone with courtesy, respect, and friendliness. In Acts 8:20-21 Peter spoke sternly to Simon the sorcerer; yet he would never have spoken such sharp and judgmental words if Simon had not attempted to sneak “inside.” Simon could have continued to practice his sorcery “outside” and Peter would never have condemned him for it; but when he wanted to bring his impurity into the sanctuary, he met a spiritual warrior whom he could not possibly ignore.

It is especially important to remember that it is vital to act wisely and with discretion when giving advice to people who come to the church as adults. It can happen that they themselves or some of their close family are affected by the light of God’s Word concerning the situation they are living in. Such people must be given time to hear the gospel and consider their situation in life and what they want to do with it. Shepherds must be especially discreet on this point and not intervene in the personal choices that each individual must make in such circumstances.

The Anointing Teaches Us All Things

The target audience of all the work in Brunstad Christian Church has always been—and always will be—people who want to live the life of a disciple.

John writes in 1 John 2:27-28: “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

If we want to be bold on the day Jesus appears, the anointing that we have received from Him must always abide in us and teach us. All other teaching puts us to shame when we meet Jesus our Savior and Redeemer, because only the anointing that teaches us to abide in Him who is the Truth can actually set us free from sin. John 8:36.

It is vital that we are not busybodies in other people’s matters, and in the work that the anointing, the Holy Spirit, does with an individual. 1 Pet. 4:15-16; Col. 1:27-29.