Would you force a person to do something and then later blame him for having done it? Gen.3:1-5; ** g81 5/22 p. 14 “Somebody Ought to Do Something About It!” ***Matt. 6:10; Phil. 4:7. (Matthew 6:33-7:5) 33 “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these [other] things will be added to YOU. 34 So, never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own badness. 7 “Stop judging that YOU may not be judged; 2 for with what judgment YOU are judging, YOU will be judged; and with the measure that YOU are measuring out, they will measure out to YOU. 3 Why, then, do you look at the straw in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the rafter in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Allow me to extract the straw from your eye’; when, look! a rafter is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First extract the rafter from your own eye, and then you will see clearly how to extract the straw from your brother’s eye. Did Jesus force a person or did he find a better way to solve problems? (1 Peter 2:21-24) 21 In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. 23 When he was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously. 24 He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness. And “by his stripes YOU were healed.. . .; Genesis 1:2; Zechariah 4:6; Mark 13:11; Mat.4:4; (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but there is the same spirit; 5 and there are varieties of ministries, and yet there is the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of operations, and yet it is the same God who performs all the operations in all persons. 7 But the manifestation of the spirit is given to each one for a beneficial purpose. . . *** w63 1/15 pp. 40-41 pars. 2-5 The Challenge of the “Good News” *** note that along with good news there often comes responsibility. It presents a challenge. It calls on the receiver of the good news to act, to do something to show his appreciation for the good news so that he may fully benefit by it. The arrival of a firstborn is good news to the husband and wife, but by this miracle of birth they become father and mother. It calls for them to adjust their lives to the new situation and shoulder the responsibility of parenthood. The arrival of guests means work for the householder, though it is happy work, providing the needed hospitality. The springing up of a new crop in the farmer’s fields is a challenge to him. It requires his time and attention—scaring off the birds that might attack the new growth, hoeing out the weeds and watering the young plants. It spells hard work as he cares for the new crop until it grows to maturity and is successfully harvested. The good news of employment for the unemployed man brings with it responsibility. Now he has a contract of work to which he must be loyal in order to retain his job. The challenge to him is, Will he prove to be a good workman? 3 Likewise with the “good news of the kingdom.” The hearing of this good news is a challenge—it calls upon those hearing it to do something that will demonstrate they appreciate it. And what good news it is! God’s kingdom under Christ Jesus to destroy this wicked system of things; to bring to an end hatred and war, sickness, disease and death; to restore this earth to a paradise populated by perfect, healthy men and women in peace and happiness, and to bring this about in the very near future, within this generation. (See Daniel 2:44; Psalm 37:10, 11; 46:9; Isaiah 9:6, 7; Revelation 21:3, 4; Matthew 24:3-14, 32-34.) Without doubt you are already somewhat familiar with this good news. The fact that you are reading these pages indicates your interest in the “good news” and in God’s purpose by means of his kingdom. Without doubt it is your wish to live under that best of kingdoms and eternally enjoy its blessings. If this is your sincere desire, then it is natural for you to ask, “What will this require of me? If I accept the good news of God’s kingdom, how will it affect my life now?” 4 We can all agree that the words of the apostle Paul at Ephesians 5:16 are true of our time: “The days are wicked.” Yes, we most certainly live in a wicked world, a world of unrighteousness, where men’s thoughts and deeds are bad. The conduct of men and nations does not bring glory to God and is unworthy of his kingdom. We have grown up in this world, amidst its traditions and customs, many of which are contrary to God’s righteous principles, and in company with people whose conduct falls far short of the standards we find in the Bible, God’s Word. This has all had its effects on us and on our way of life. Also, having grown up in a divided world we have acquired different loyalties—loyalties to family, tribe, race and nation—often resulting in division, hatred, suspicion and false pride, a feeling of superiority over others. But when we read about God’s kingdom from the Bible we learn of another loyalty that is required of those who will gain everlasting life. This is loyalty to Jehovah, the Supreme Ruler of the universe, and to his kingdom under Christ Jesus, and we learn of a new way of life in obedience to the rule of that kingdom. This calls for conduct different from that of the world. It calls for one to “behave in a manner worthy of the good news.”—Phil. 1:27. 5 It is important to appreciate that the “good news” concerns a kingdom, God’s kingdom. A kingdom is a government and thus exercises rule or governs those who are its subjects. Just as other governments have laws to govern their subjects, so God’s kingdom has laws or rules governing the conduct of its subjects. Therefore, acceptance of the “good news” really means to accept the responsibility of being a subject of God’s heavenly kingdom, to be submissive to it and humbly to accept and obey the commands of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, Jehovah God. Only by doing this could one be “counted worthy of the kingdom of God.”—2 Thess. 1:5. . *** w64 9/1 pp. 531-532 pars. 23-25 Let the Spirit’s Fruitage Make Over Your Personality *** 23 Your letting the spirit’s fruitage make over your personality this side of Armageddon will bring you many Kingdom blessings even amid the present sordid conditions in the world. You too will be able to count your blessings and privileges together with Jehovah’s witnesses. You will have freedom from want, for you will continually enjoy a banquet of rich spiritual food. Your cup will overflow with joy and happiness. Never do the righteous who seek first the Kingdom have to beg for bread. (Matt. 4:4; 6:31-33; Isa. 25:6; Ps. 37:25) You will have freedom from fear of man, for we know that Jehovah can deliver the righteous and give them the victory even when their enemies torture them to death. (Ps. 118:6; Luke 12:4; 1 John 4:18) You will have freedom from slavery to Satan and his demonic organization, for the Truth will set you free to become the happy and willing slaves of Jehovah and Christ Jesus. (John 8:32; Rom. 6:6, 16; 1 Cor. 7:23; Gal. 1:10; Col. 3:23, 24; 1 Pet. 2:16) You will have the freedom to worship and the freedom to assemble with Christ Jesus in your very midst, whether openly by the thousands in great assemblies of Jehovah’s witnesses, or secretly behind iron and bamboo curtains. (Matt. 18:20) You will have the freedom and privilege through prayer to talk directly to your Father Jehovah, to petition him for his spirit, his guidance, his strength and his protection. (Matt. 6:6; John 14:13, 14) You will have the freedom and honor to carry about the fear-inspiring name of JEHOVAH as you serve as his dedicated publicity agents and witnesses, proclaiming the everlasting good news to all the nations. 24 Above all, never overlook the grandest blessing and privilege that any creature could possibly have, namely, sharing in the vindication of the precious Word and sacred Name of your Father Jehovah. Jesus in his illustration of the vine and the branches particularly emphasized this overriding purpose for bearing more of the spirit’s fruitage, saying: “My Father is glorified in this, that you keep bearing much fruit and prove yourselves my disciples.”—John 15:8. 25 So keep on letting the spirit’s fruitage make over your personality. Keep on bearing much fruitage. Keep on proving that you are a true footstep follower of Christ Jesus and an imitator of his lovely personality. Then, instead of reading the sickening story of your stripped-off old personality, everyone will be so happy and thrilled to make the acquaintance of your attractive new personality in the fruitage that Jehovah’s holy spirit has produced. All to the honor and praise and sanctifying of Jehovah, the most glorious personality in all the universe! *** g 5/11 p. 19 Are Your Lips “Precious Vessels”? *** Are Your Lips “Precious Vessels”? ● “There exists gold, also an abundance of corals; but the lips of knowledge are precious vessels,” wrote King Solomon of old. (Proverbs 20:15) Gold has always been highly valued, and in Solomon’s day, corals too were prized. Yet, our lips can be even more precious than these. How? Not because of their physical appearance, but because of the thoughts they express. Precious lips radiate goodness, kindness, and love. And as “lips of knowledge,” they speak the truth about God as recorded in the Bible. Yes, this ancient book is filled with wisdom and truth about our Creator, as well as excellent advice for life.—John 17:17. Sadly, many people misuse their lips by saying things about God that are untrue. For example, some blame him for the injustice and suffering in the world, much of which is mankind’s own doing. In this regard, Proverbs 19:3 states: “Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.”—Today’s English Version. Others cheapen the value of their lips through insincere speech, hurtful gossip, or even slander. Using powerful imagery, Proverbs 26:23 reads: “As a silver glazing overlaid upon a fragment of earthenware are fervent lips along with a bad heart.” Like “silver glazing” that conceals the underlying earthenware, “fervent lips,” which convey strong feelings and even sincerity, may in fact conceal “a bad heart.”—Proverbs 26:24-26. Of course, such badness is not hidden from God. He sees what we really are! Accordingly, Jesus Christ said: “Cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the dish, that the outside of it also may become clean.” (Matthew 23:26) How true! Moreover, internal cleanness, or purity, along with a heart filled with spiritual truth, will be reflected in our words. The result? Our lips will be “precious vessels,” especially in the eyes of God. *** w97 3/1 p. 7 A Better Way *** You cannot force a person to believe in God or to accept your personal set of beliefs. Thinking that such a thing is possible led to some of the worst horrors of history, such as the Crusades, the medieval Inquisitions, and the “conversions” of the American Indians. However, if you trust in God, you will be willing to leave matters in his hands. According to the Bible, God has set a limit on the time in which he permits humans to break his laws and thus cause suffering and pain. That time has almost expired. Already, Jesus is ruling as King in God’s heavenly Kingdom, and soon that Kingdom will act to remove human governments and take over the day-to-day governing of mankind. (Matthew 24:3-14; Revelation 11:15, 18) The result will be a worldwide paradise in which peace and righteousness will be abundant. At that time there will be no uncertainty about how the true God should be worshiped. “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” (Psalm 37:29) Such eternal values as loving-kindness, truth, justice, and goodness will triumph for the good of all obedient mankind. (1 Peter 2:21-25) 21 In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth. 23 When he was being reviled, he did not go reviling in return. When he was suffering, he did not go threatening, but kept on committing himself to the one who judges righteously. 24 He himself bore our sins in his own body upon the stake, in order that we might be done with sins and live to righteousness. And “by his stripes YOU were healed.” 25 For YOU were like sheep, going astray; but now YOU have returned to the shepherd and overseer of YOUR souls.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 10:21:49 +0000
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