Part 1 On closer examination of these letters, you will notice something that, according to the usual understanding, is truly sensational! Jesus asks for nothing except for our works. What Christ has done for us—the atonement, forgiveness of sin, and pardon—is not even mentioned. Neither is there a single word about the gifts of the Spirit or other gifts, or healings and miracles. What could be the reason for that? This is amazing in the eyes of people who are extroverts. Yet in God’s eyes, and in the eyes of spiritual people, it is quite simple and even obvious. It is as simple and easily comprehended in the same way that scaffolding is of little interest when a building is finished, and the façade of the building—irrespective of how brilliantly its construction may have been executed—is, nevertheless, of little interest in relation to the building’s content. It says continually, “I know your works . . . ,” and, “To him who overcomes, I will give . . . .” The only thing of interest to Christ is our works. These works are either praised or judged as unacceptable. They are the damning evidence of our condition, for our acceptance or our rejection. The condition for being reckoned among the overcomers is that our works are perfect before God. Rev. 3:2. We also see that all the glorious promises are only for those who overcome. There are no promises for those who do not overcome. How is all this to be understood? Is the atonement no longer valid? Are we not justified by faith in the atonement? As far as God is concerned, He has done everything, He has given everything. It is finished! We have received abundant grace, abundant offers concerning everything we need in order to overcome and to live a life acceptable to God. We have also received innumerable opportunities and a long time of grace. We have no excuses for our defeats. God has been extremely gracious and longsuffering. We have had ample opportunity to believe His work and His Word, to seek and to receive strength for victory over all sin. In the end it is therefore only a question of one thing: namely, what has all this grace and goodness wrought in us? This is in perfect agreement with the other words of the gospel that unequivocally state that we will be judged and rewarded according to our works. Therefore: Through God’s work in Christ Jesus and through everything that God’s great grace has given us and which can constantly be transferred to us, we have unlimited opportunities to overcome all conscious sin, to walk holy, spotless, and blameless before God’s face with a perfectly good conscience, and with increasing light from above, to grow up to the maturity that is necessary for the bride of Christ to be ready to go with Him to the wedding. If we have not reached this goal during our time of grace—which is seen and indicated by our works—we have received His great grace in vain. In several places Paul speaks about receiving grace in vain. James 1:26 also mentions it. Therefore the seven letters are concerned only with our works. The state of affairs in these churches was such that the lives of some of them were approved, but the lives of the majority of them were not approved. If they did not repent, they would be inevitably rejected; they would be spewed out of His mouth. This is something else than the current one hundred percent reprehensible harlotry!!! Contrary to the spirit of the Scriptures and the letter of the Scriptures, they say that our works do not matter—whether they are good or bad; as long as we believe in the atonement we will all get into the kingdom of heaven on account of the blood. The harlot—the great and the little ones—makes everything so pleasant and easy: we will all drive leisurely into the kingdom of heaven on a wide highway, as opposed to Jesus’ extremely earnest words and the apostles’ serious and urgent exhortations. This is a fateful deception.Elias Aslaksen

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Rom. 8:5. “So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” V. 8. The things of the flesh can be described in many ways, but one of the most characteristic expressions describing the desires of the flesh is “to make a good showing”!! A person who is in the flesh can sacrifice and achieve the most unbelievable things, but underneath all of it is this: to make a good showing! Therefore the worst thing you can tell those who are in the flesh is to be quiet and hidden. When we consider all the religious activity in these days, we will notice how everything is geared toward making a good showing. There are many builders in the religious realm. They build up large religious denominations and organize them. First of all they take care that they themselves put on a good show. Once they have made a name for themselves, they also want to have their picture appear on posters that announce their meetings. If they write an article for a Christian periodical, it has to be accompanied by their photograph. If the meeting hall is large and filled with people they have to be photographed behind the pulpit. Their hair style and the way things have been arranged are very important. They are also concerned that their own denomination is presented favorably. Once the denomination has grown in size and there is going to be some kind of conference, the leaders have to be photographed, preferably to appear in the daily newspaper. The meeting hall has to be decorated. It is very important to make it appear modern and smart, especially the platform and the pulpit. If a person in the flesh has accomplished something he wants to be photographed together with his work. This is the mindset of Saul and Absalom. 1 Sam. 15:12; 2 Sam. 18:18. When Paul was about to send Timothy to the Philippians, he wrote: “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:19-21. This is strange, seeing that they were with Paul. It cost something to be with him. They had to sacrifice something. It meant sufferings, loss, and persecution; nevertheless, they were still given this testimony. What was wrong with them? Wasn’t it that they wanted to show off with all the things they had done? They wanted to serve Christ, but at the same time they wanted to be honored by the others who also served Christ. But then they did not serve Christ, but rather themselves. “For all seek their own.” Those who are in the flesh can be capable speakers, capable organizers, talented musicians, etc., but they always want to make a good showing. “In honor giving preference to one another . . . .” Rom. 12:10. If a work has been completed and someone is being honored, several people can sit there, expecting that they, too, will be mentioned; and it is so important to make sure to mention all these “capable” people! Just think if one of them should be offended and leave! What a loss that would be for God’s cause if such a carnal, talented musician, or someone who is rich and gives much in the collection should leave! Nevertheless, we read that someone who is in the flesh cannot please God. They all seek their own, and not the things of Christ. After Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead, there were wide-spread reports about it, and some Greeks wanted to see Jesus. When the disciples mentioned this to Jesus, He answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone.” John 12:20-26. This way was totally different from making a showing. This is the only way on which we can serve Christ. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” You cannot build the church other than with those who follow Jesus into the death of the grain of wheat. The church is hidden to carnal people, just as Christ’s glory was also hidden. “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.’” Matt. 11:25-27. When Peter realized who Jesus was, Jesus said, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father . . . .” If you want to discover Christ’s glory and the church’s glory, then the Father has to reveal it—and He reveals it to babes. God added to the church daily those who were willing to be saved. Acts 2:47. Those who build the church have to believe God. The person who puts his confidence in the flesh is cursed. The cross and the sword are for the flesh; we have to follow Jesus into the death of the grain of wheat in everything we do. The result will be a work that will endure the fire. The glory of Christ is under a cover of reproach, and those to whom God does not reveal this glory are not worthy of it. We must not attempt to remove this cover, trying to make it acceptable and making a showing to gain people. This is unfaithfulness and unadulterated care for one’s own honor. May God raise up many faithful stewards and laborers who can wage the wars of the Lord so that those who are in the flesh are kept in their place and can be saved if they love the truth. Then the church can thrive and grow in the virtues of Christ, to His glory.Sigurd Bratlie