Sigurd Bratlie (1905-1996) was the leader of Brunstad Christian Church from 1976 until his death in 1996. He had a unique ability to explain the gospel and the teachings of the apostles in a clear and simple way, so that everyone could understand. He had a sincere love for people and lived righteously before God’s face, putting the truths that he preached into practice in his own life.
Bratlie felt a deep sorrow and righteous anger over the shallow teaching that often turned “forgiveness of sins” into “permission to sin”. He worked his whole life to expose these false teachings and Satan’s lies, both in his writings and in his preaching. The mission work of this humble man has helped many people to become true disciples of Jesus Christ, and to come to a deeper life and fellowship with Him.
Sigurd Bratlie wrote hundreds of articles and many books about Christian life and understanding of the Scriptures. The following quotes are from some of his books. These writings can bring real change in your own Christian life.
Grace
“It is no comfort for us to hear that grace is so great that even if we are bound by sin, we will get to heaven anyway. Our comfort is that God’s grace is so great that we no longer have to be bound by sin; now we can overcome sin. This is heaven for us!”
The blood of Jesus
“The blood of Jesus is much more than the blood of goats and bulls. Through His blood we receive not only forgiveness for our sins but we are set free, so that we no longer need to keep doing the same sins over and over again. The blood of bulls and goats could only cleanse the flesh (our sinful nature) from sins that were already done. But the blood of Christ can cleanse our conscience from dead works, so we can serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:14.) In other words, we need no longer be slaves of sin.”
Perfection
“When we speak about being perfect, we mean perfect in our conscience as disciples—and this is possible! From there, we are to continue and be perfected (to become more like Jesus). Jesus says, ‘It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher …” Matthew 10:25 (ESV). But until we are, we must be poor in spirit, and hunger and thirst for this perfection.”
True grace is so much more
“Grace doesn’t only mean forgiveness, it also means help (Hebrews 4:16). Grace is not only given to forgive our sins, but also to teach us not to sin (Titus 2:11-12).”
Twisting Jesus’ words
“Most people, when they get an exhortation, say, ‘We can do nothing.’ They are quoting Jesus, which makes them feel like they are right. But they are twisting His words, just as many people twist God’s word to suit themselves. What did Jesus really say? “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (ESV).
So when they say, ‘We can do nothing,’ they are actually saying they are outside of Him. That means they are not His disciples and also not members of the body of Christ.”
Satan’s tricks
“We see how easily people turn away from God in their hearts. Satan has only to offer them a boyfriend or girlfriend, more money or praise from people. Often he only has to touch their possessions or let them be treated unfairly, or let something happen that they don’t understand. Many have turned away from God in their hearts. Their faith has failed, and Satan has rejoiced.
If you have failed and fallen away, remember - if you had only understood what really mattered, what the conflict was all about, then you would have been glad in your trials.”
Temptation—a reason to rejoice
“Many people think that to be tempted is the same as sinning; but if that were true, how could James tell us to rejoice (James 1:2)? On the contrary, those who believe in victory over sin win the crown of life in the trials [temptations], just as we read in James 1:12 (ESV): ‘Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’”
The Word is the Word of God
“Run far away from all shallow and empty talk and gossip! Don’t argue with people about the Word of God. Receive it as the Word of God, and believe it just as it is written. Then it will powerfully work in you. (See 1 Thessalonians 2:13.)”
Help to do God’s will
“The flesh with its sinful desires keeps us from doing God’s will. Those desires are too strong for us and cause us to sin, even if we really want to do God’s will. That is why God sent His Son and gave us the gospel—the good news. The good news is this: ‘Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.’ Galatians 5:16 (NKJV). This is what Jesus made possible for us while He was the Son of Man.”
The new covenant
“If you have made a firm decision to obey all the will of God, then the Lord promises to give you power from above, to give you everything that you need for a godly life, to write His laws in your heart and mind, and to bless you with all spiritual blessings. Everything you need for your daily life will also be given to you. What more could you wish for?”
The huge importance of Jesus’ life for us
“When Jesus rose from the dead, it proved that He had never sinned, even though He had this human nature in which we know lives no good thing. (See Romans 7:18.) He returned to the Father, uncorrupted by the flesh of David. This means that, through the gospel, we can also overcome sin and come to the same life that He lived.”
Being formed to be like Christ
“Jesus is the cornerstone, the foundation stone. It was by doing God’s will that He was formed to be the cornerstone. When He came into the world He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ Hebrews 10:7 (ESV). We enter the new covenant in exactly the same way. Now it is also by doing God’s will that we are formed to be like Him. In the Scriptures it is written about us.”
Our life cannot be hidden
“Life is the light of men; no one can borrow light from someone else. Also today, there are people who live in sin but try to hide among the Christians. Others trust them because they go to the church meetings, and they seem to be good people. But the time will come when they will be exposed for what they really are.”
What it really means to overcome
“There are great promises for those who overcome (Revelations 2 & 3). To overcome means that you don’t do good works so people can see you, but that you do everything for Jesus because you love Him. If you do this, you are truly wise. Then you will be raptured when Jesus comes to fetch those who are ready. You will be dressed in white clothes and be allowed to walk with Jesus, and He will confess your name before the Father and His angels (Revelations 3:5).”