Life has not been easy. I am now 56 and have gone through many difficulties and pains in my life. Many things are still very difficult. Even that, I am more excited about living than ever. One important reason is a growing a expanding knowledge of Jesus - who came to earth and claimed to be one with God. In seeing and knowing Jesus. I know more and more about God. The Bible says that Jesus showed us what God is like. The more I know Jesus, the simpler, more pleasant and meaningful  life become. Even pain and failure may get a new and  positive dimension.

The core of the message Jesus proclaimed and lived was "The Kingdom of God is within reach!"  To me that means the very, deep longings there are in the human heart, and which to some degree have been explored by philosophers, poets, artists and religious seekers in all times have become reality, or may be experienced and lived by embracing the revolutionary Good News of Jesus.  This is to see that your deepest dream become reality

I have come to know that Jesus took all punishments and consequences of sin when he died - because I was a sinner, already under judgement from God and fundamental principles of life. I could not live a perfect life – far from it.

The Jesus, whom the Jews crucified, is risen from the dead. He lives today. For those that seek him, there will be many proofs. I also think the New Testament presents very strong historical proofs that Jesus rose from the dead - but that is for you to find out for yourself.

Simply, I am a follower of Jesus. He has captured my heart.

I do not like to think of myself being a Protestant, a Catholic or Orthodox Christian? I am not a member of any religious organization or church*.  But I’ve a deep and strong conviction and awareness that I belong to God and His people whatever they might call themselves. They are my family to whom I am committed and responsible. I might even say I belong to a greater brotherhood: Those of all creeds, philosophies are and faiths that honestly and humbly are seeking the Truth. Mankind is a universal brotherhood. Jesus showed and demontrated that. He never won any victory by war or doing harm to anybody.  Never!  If he did, his message would have been worth nothing.

This life is lived in a group of friends, connected to other groups. The Christian life has to lived out in close and open relationship with other followers of Jesus.  That is the only way to grow, develop, as Christians. Being a Christian is fellowship with God and fellowship, friendship with other believers. Churh is not a building or an organisation.  It is responsible relationsships - comitment to others. You might read more here: http://lende.no/house

I’ve just, simply, met with Jesus. In Him I did experience the eternal almighty God. This God, who nobody has seen, did receive me as His Son. Because my sins have been washed away through the sacrifice of Jesus, can I enjoy a continual, meaningful and an eternal relationship with Him. I did not have to do anything to deserve grace and forgiveness from God. I did not have to join a church, to read the Bible or pray. I just said: "Lord I give my life to you, you are from now on my Lord, my King." After that decision I was baptized in water.  We say that I was baptized to Jesus, in His Name, to his death and resurrection. Baptism is sort of a seal that we know belong to God with everything.  We turn our backs on the present evil world order (materialism and more)  and we embrace the lifegiving and liberating principles in the teaching of Jesus  -  Kingdom-of-God-Life. As you continue reading, hopefully, you will understand more of what is said in this paragraph.

From now I eternally belong to God through Jesus. I have chosen a life in submission to God – it is a different life.

As I said, I did not have to do anything to get my sins forgiven. I still do things that are sinful and not perfect – but I never have to do anything to be acceptable to God. He forgives, and forgives me when I every day open my life and give things over to God.

Being a follower of Jesus is not reading the Bible, going to church, witnessing or praying. We do not get more holy or more Christian by doing things - very, very far from that. I do not think of myself as religious. I have simply received divine and eternal life and power from God - by simple faith. The Bible says that whoever received Jesus as Lord would become sons of God.

Anyway, being a follower of Jesus is very much about doing - not to make us deserve anything. There is a logic of faith – a consequential logic. He, Jesus, became my servant in a way. He became my friend. The Bible even says that he loved me so much that he chose to die on a cross. He did not do it because I was good, morally right, rich, successful or anything like that. The logic is that I shall receive others and be to others like he is to me - to be a servant to humanity. A follower of Jesus is a man or woman of peace and nonviolence* like Jesus was.

(*With non-violence I think of direct, hot, physical violence, but also of psychological (mental) and structural violence. The structural violence takes place in the way we relate to each other in family and society, and even church,  by oppressive laws, traditions etc)

We do not categorize others with ugly names or labels. "Namecalling" is one of the strongest weapons for destruction of peace and love between people – also in war. "Names" stir hate and motivation to fight and to even kill. Jesus said about those who called others by ugly names were condemned to strict judgement. Talking about "an axis of evil" might be an exambple of this? Jesus spoke about hypocrites and he said: "First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you clearly will see to remove the speck (the little thing) from your brothers eye."  (Matt. 7,5)  Let us be humble and careful.

A disciple of Jesus respects the dignity of all human beings and is affirming to a fundamental human equality.

Therefore the most important and natural thing for a follower of Jesus is to do good - to everybody - and in his daily life to good and honest work, paid or not paid. A division between sacred and secular work/activities is not a Christian way of seeing things, as far as I can understand. It is not more spiritual to be a pastor than to clean floors. Work and study might been felt as a pain, but in the light from God it is sanctified, holy and meaningful. In this way we are making the Kingdom of God come to his world of pain, injustice and suffering in which we are living. Jesus said that we should turn from our sins, because the Kingdom of God is here – by Jesus this Kingdom came, is coming all will come. As followers of Jesus we come with light were there is darkness, hate, evil, degradation, injustice, oppression and all the rest of evil we can think of. Living in love and friendliness expels the darkness and the Kingdom of God comes in power. This new lifestyle, Kingdom Life, is a GIFT to the poor in Spirit, to the open, to the humble and receptive.

Being a disciple of Jesus (pupil, learner) is about doing and being - living a different life. Power is not the ultimate winner. But being a servant is. The Bible says that the Kingdom of God is not words, but in inner qualities and virtues that is lived in practical living in the home, at work, with friends – wherever we are. When we live the "servant life" we are doing what Jesus told us to do:  "Make disciples - show them to do and live like I lived".

Yes, we boldly proclaim and defend the resurrection of Jesus, but our emphasis is not on talking and winning arguments. Doing comes first. And doing good is a goal in itself. There is no hidden agenda behind. This is he how we bring glory to God. Darkness and evil is by that being pushed away. Jesus also said that we should do good to those who do evil things against us. In this way spirals of evil are broken. We should be ready to die or go to prison for this principle.

Doing - is also the quality of being a faithful friend, hospitable, friendly, willing to listen, willing to share and to accept. Forgiveness and reconciliation are key concepts in our walk with God.

Nobody has authority to rule over others because of a position. The believers in Jesus are brothers – it is a universal brotherhood. The so called Church has a long history cruelty and misuse of power. This is very much a disgrace  to the message Jesus preached and lived. The followers of Jesus are not involved in struggles of power – or they should not be, but if we ever get involved in that sort of sinful behavior, we turn away from it and receive forgiveness and grace. The Bible talks very much about that we should live humble lives, and that we should submit to one another. That means that we should not judge, but listen carefully -respect and honor one another.

There are leaders of different kinds in the groups (or churches) of people that follow Jesus. Some of them have more authority because of their knowledge and maturity or their gifts. This is not positional authority but personal. To these we listen more carefully and give more honor - in a way. These should never have power over anybody – they should be examples or models in submission and in giving value to the weakest. (There are occasions were sin must be exposed and dealt with – but this should always be done with the greatest care and respect).

.A follower of Jesus is not "bossing", treating people from "above-down". He is developing qualities that make the Other feel respected. That is also very important in the family between husband and wife and children.

One other important of aspect of staying together is to in unity praise, worship and lift up the Name of the Lord in exuberant praise and joy - also to intercede and pray together. Helping and supporting each other in good and bad days are of uttermost importance. It is by the practical love that we show, that we can know that we are true followers of Jesus.

We can see that this really is life of divine substance. Jesus lives in his people.

We do not do these things to become holy or in order to go to heaven. It is the logic of the love and grace God has given us, and of the power of Jesus living in his people. God has not a hammer to hit his people with if they fail. The logic of this is that we also should be like this to others. We as people fail, are more or less openly sinful, but we should always love, forgive, respect and honor. With other words to treat all people in the same way God treats us - with mercy and grace -unlimited and unconditioned.

Being a follower of Jesus, also means that we should seek to get into a relationship with other followers of Jesus. It is a contraction and a denial of the basic principle to not seek a responsible and regular fellowhip with other believers. This is extremely important so that we can be encouraged, taught, edified and be made mature. We are all very different and we need all personalities and endowments God gives. It is when we stay together we can be fruitful and be and expression of divine life on earth. I understand that this sometimes is difficult or impossible. There are exceptions.

His people live an egalitarian life – which means among other things to give equal rights to everybody and to share.

As I understand it, being a follower of Jesus is very practical. The real life is not happening in a spiritual sphere up in the air. Practical good living has divine power and value.

Now I have given a few thoughts about my understanding of Jesus and living a live that is honoring God. I do believe very strongly that when we live like that, we become a light and example to the world. Non-believers might even get ideas on how the many small and big conflicts may be handled. There are many examples of this.

Bishop Desmond Tutu tells that when he was a boy, his family was nobodies. They were black and disrespected, but there was a white man who often passed their house. He always lifted his hat and greeted his mother. This impressed him so much, that when he became one of the South-African leaders, he did not turn anti-white, nor humiliated the whites. This little man who just lifted his hat, might have saved South-Africa from a bloody civil war?

There are many other wonderful stories like this.

These stories show how we all are responsible for shaping our environment and how we even by attitude may create our own enemies and misery. Who knows who in the end will be judged for the evil that is going on? May be myself? Let us take care!

In conflicts, big and small, myths are born. These stories about the Other gets worse and worse in a very destructive spiral. History proves this about the large conflicts in the world, but the same principle is at work in the smaller problems. A disciple of Jesus will start with his own imperfections, sins and attitudes. He or she knows something of his/hers own guilt. They stop the "blaming business". The disciple of Jesus will not control others by any mean. They will know it is not their responsibility to change the Other, because they have been "face to face" with the Holy Almighty God. Which only can been met through Christ. They will therefore basically confess their own guilt, and work on changing themselves - or letting themselves be changed by the grace of God.

The code of Gods Kingdom is written in everything there is. Of Him, through Him and to Him all things are. The universal Kingdom of God is the overarching principle. The followers of Jesus develops a "Kingdom of God-identity" which includes a new moral identity. This is more important than other "kingdoms" including nationalism. Even we should value our own nations, we shall not let this make us despise others. The principle of respect for all is imperative – our first obligation. This become natural and the Kingdom of God is coming with power within the believer and to his environment.

In fact the Bible plainly states that in Christ there is no Jew nor Arab nor Christian.  We are all one in Christ with "Christ-identity" as the main characteristic. (When mentioning Christian, I'm thinking of the the socalled Christian world or Christian culture.  That Christian culture may be better or worse, but it is culture, nationalism or religion and it is not what Jesus introduced to the world. We should know that most people, even churchgoers, do not know Jesus in a personal way.  Christianity understood in this respect is religion, and falls in the same category as alle other religions.  It's part of what be Bible calls "the world".  And as followers of Christ we turn away from and are dead to the world.)  The Bible says: Love not the world.   That includes the Christian relgion.

It’s a tremendous joyful and exciting life to live. It is the only satisfying life, because it was the kind of life we as people were created to live. Only in this kind of life are we completely free. It is like the fish in the water. It is ultimate freedom! Being in Christ is in my experience ultimate reality.

God is passionately waiting for his creation to choose this way of peace - the encounter with God.

All the wisdom, all science and all the progress cannot defy nor challenge the envounter with the Ultimate Reality. "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life, and life was manifested, we have seen and we bear withness, and declare to you that eternal life was with the Father and was manifested to us"  !. Joh. 1,1-2

You might want to understand more of this. It is then a good idea to read the Gospels that we find in the Bible and what the Apostles wrote in the same book. To understand this little "letter" from me to you, it might help to read Pauls letter to the Ephesians in the Bible.

God Bless YOU!

I have recently been reading Jonathan Glover book: HUMANITY – a moral history of the 20th century. The book impressed e deeply. I am indebted to the author in writing this article.
I’m also indebted to meetings and friendship with hindus, buddhists, muslims and others.
 

*It may sound like I'm against organized churches.  I'm not. Almost everybody that have had a deep influence on my life has been members of some church.  And I work with different churches and organizations.  There are many different ways we may choose to "organize" ourselves to be the representatives of Christ.  I want to emphasize that jouing a church and going to meetings on Sundays and getting involved in its activities, does not necessarly mean that we have that kind of  involvement with other believers that we should have. I'm trying to focus the quality of involvement we should have wheather we are in an organization or not.  Thtat is what counts.

I will also mention the book I read 30 years ago by E. Stanley Jones: The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person. This book did in many ways determine my life.
I think this little devortion by E. Stanley Jones, In Christ, will expand your understanding of what I have written, and may answers some questions you might have.
You may also like to read a chapter from the book: Do the Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person represent idealism or realism?
Here is another chapter: http://www.abundantlife.org/onlineBooks/resUnshakableChapter1.htm

The book "The Unshakable Kingdom...." may be bought from: uca@christianashram.org  Price: US dollar 16.00 + postage

Most of all I will thank my family, my wife Annie and our 4 children. Annie and I have been married 30 years and know how difficult it can be to live together in love. It is often in the family and with our closest friends it is the most difficult.

This is how I at present best can present the Gospel of Jesus. The understanding and interpretation of some of my statements, can be challenged or disputed. But if we are open and honest to God, he will give each one of as an understanding that is our own. The important message is that The Kingdom of God has come with new values, new moral identity and with a possibility of a living and vibrating relationship with the Eternal and Almighty God. The apostle Peter urged people 2000 years ago to turn away from the corruption and degradation of this present world order. That we should call on the Name of Jesus to be saved from it and start a new life with a new moral identity and new values.

You may read Pauls letter to the Ephesians here: http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=EPH+1&language=english&version=NLT
Please also note that you may get  Norwegian, Arabic translation just with a touch.  And you go easely also to the next chapter with "a touch".

The Bible says there is a principle of evil and degeneration at work in the present world order. From this he want to save us and give us power, grace and faith for a new life, according to the principles of His Kingdom.
 

Quotes for the "The Word became Flesh by E. Stanley Jones:
"This book, I believe, comes nearer the Center and more nearly comprehends the Whole, gathering up the Christian faith into a total concept. .. the thing itself is the Center - the Word Became Flesh is the Center. this is it! and the circumference is the working out of the word Became Flesh in the sum total of life. "The most important verse in Scripture is 'And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory a of the only Son from the Father ... And from his fullness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. (John 1:14-18) "This verse - "The Word became flesh" - is the Great Divide. In all other religions it is Word became word - a philosophy, a moralism, a system, a technique, but for all time and all men everywhere, "the Word became flesh - the Idea became Fact." "Then I got hold of this difference (between all world religions and Christianity) in all other religions it is the Word become word, but only in Jesus Christ, did the Word become flesh. Then (and only then) Everything fell into its place. I had the Key, and this Key fitted everything in East and West. ... Religions are man's search for God. The gospel is God's search for man. therefore, there are many religions, but only one gospel."Religions are the Word become word; the gospel is the Word become flesh."