He says that love will grow cold in most people because lawlessness abounds, but that those who endure to the end shall be saved. There is a lot of cold in the world right now, so let us be among those who keep love warm.
Keep the commandments of Jesus
Jesus exhorts us above all to keep His commandments in our own lives, and then to go out to all nations and teach them to keep them. Throughout the year, we have made a point of preaching this at the conferences, so that everyone who feels they have a calling to become followers of Jesus will be strengthened and helped on this path.
For me, it has been crucial that we build the church so that God’s word is at the center. It was therefore extra gratifying that this year we started to modernize how Hidden Treasures is published. The paper was established by Johan Oscar Smith and his brother Aksel Smith in 1912, because they saw the need to have a platform that promoted the message of sanctification.
In the first edition from January 1912 it said: “Driven by an inner need and conviction, here is the first issue of Hidden Treasures Dedicated to the Lord, we pray that the paper will be of service to the believers in shedding light on the ways that lead to a deeper life of fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of the paper is to bring forth the truth that leads to faith and godliness. Tit. 1:1.”
We want to continue this work so that the glorious message Jesus brought, which Paul preached with power and boldness, and which godly men and women throughout the ages have held up and been enthusiastic about, can be made visible and shared throughout the world.
Romans for young people
A particular milestone this year was the youth Easter camp where we worked on the project “Message to The Romans” leading up to the camp. Based on Paul’s letter to the Romans, the message of salvation in Jesus Christ was illustrated in various ways. First, by the glorious reconciliation we received through His death, and that we shall be saved so much more by His life.
(Romans 5:10)
It is a powerful experience to see how the message has resonated with the young people. Since Easter camp, I have attended several conferences around the world, and the young people I meet constantly reiterate how important these points from Romans have become for them.
In memory of Bernt Stadven
It was a dignified and memorable day when we bade farewell to our dear friend and church servant Bernt Stadven (1931-2024). His life has been a blessing in his time. He had a strong faith and he communicated God’s word to us in a simple and clear way. Through his ministry, many people have received help, comfort, and hope.
Faith working through love
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul writes that it is only faith, working through love, that counts. In order to be in Christ, we must be active in faith. In verse 14, he reminds us that we should serve each other in love, “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself!”
(Galatians 5:6)
Faith is not just good feelings or a hope that something miraculous will happen in us. But obedience is needed to follow the footsteps of faith that lead us on the same path that Jesus walked.
Walking in the Spirit
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.,” Paul writes in the sixteenth verse. There is no new life without walking in the Spirit. It is only on this way that we can increasingly obtain the fruits of the Spirit described at the end of the chapter: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
(Galatians 5:22-23)
By walking in the Spirit, we see that we have sin that needs to be cleansed out, and we are instead filled more and more with these glorious fruits. Think about how love warms and benefits those around us, both at home, in the workplace and in the church. This is how we are saved and increase the blessing and content of life. This is the only thing we get to take with us into eternity. Let us consider this in the new year of grace we have been given.
A thank you to everyone who contributes
Many thanks to everyone who is working to build the church on the foundation that stands firm, what we have heard from the beginning. Thank you to all of you who work to ensure that children and young people experience care, kindness and warmth in a healthy and safe environment. Thank you to all of you who pray for the work and everyone who contributes in various ways with both resources and voluntary efforts – in love.
On behalf of the Elders,
Kåre J. Smith
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