These articles examine what it means to dedicate oneself to Jehovah and why one needs to take that step. We will also consider why we can be confident that we will be able to do what Jehovah expects of us. Furthermore, we will learn what blessings are enjoyed by all those who belong to Jehovah.

STUDY ARTICLE 3 PAGES 12-16

This article examines five important areas in which each of us should strive to imitate Christ. By doing that, we will prove to be Christ’s real followers, and we will be able to help sheeplike ones to recognize the true Christian congregation.

STUDY ARTICLES 4, 5 PAGES 24-32

The fourth article considers why human rulership independent from God has been a disaster and how it has served to highlight the excellence of Jehovah’s way of ruling. The fifth article discusses how we can demonstrate that we have accepted Jehovah’s way of ruling.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Help Your Children to Meet Their Many Challenges 16

Use Each Day of Your Life for God’s Glory 21

Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah?

pp. 3–7

Why Dedicate Yourself to Jehovah?

“This night there stood near me an angel of the God to whom I belong.”—ACTS 27:23.

1. What steps have those presenting themselves for baptism already taken, and what questions does this raise?

“ON THE basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, have you repented of your sins and dedicated yourself to Jehovah to do his will?” This is one of the two questions answered by baptismal candidates at the conclusion of a baptism talk. Why do Christians need to dedicate themselves to Jehovah? How does being dedicated to God benefit us? Why can one not worship God acceptably without being dedicated to him? To understand the answers, we first need to consider what dedication is.

2. What does it mean to dedicate oneself to Jehovah?

² What does dedicating oneself to God mean? Note how the apostle Paul described his relationship with God. Before many others aboard an imperiled ship, he called Jehovah “the God to whom I belong.” (Read Acts 27:22-24.) All true Christians belong to Jehovah. In contrast, the world in general is “lying in the power of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) Christians come to belong to Jehovah when they make an acceptable dedication of themselves to him in prayer. Such a dedication is a personal vow. It is followed by water baptism.

3. What did Jesus’ baptism symbolize, and how can his followers imitate his example?

³ Jesus provided an example for us when he made a personal choice to do God’s will. Because he had been born into the dedicated nation of Israel, he was already dedicated to God. Still, at his baptism he did something more than what was required under the Law. God’s Word indicates that he said: “Look! I am come . . . to do your will, O God.” (Heb. 10:7; Luke 3:21) So Jesus’ baptism symbolized his presentation of himself to God for the doing of his Father’s will. His followers imitate his example when they offer themselves for baptism. However, in their case, water baptism is a public demonstration that they have made a personal dedication to God in prayer.

How Dedication Benefits Us

4. What does the friendship between David and Jonathan tell us about commitment?

⁴ Christian dedication is a serious matter. It is more than a mere commitment. How, though, does making a dedication benefit us? By way of comparison, let us consider how making a commitment in human relationships brings benefits. One example is friendship. To enjoy the privilege of having a friend, you have to accept the responsibility of being a friend. That involves a commitment—you feel an obligation to care about your friend. One of the most outstanding friendships described in the Bible is that of David and Jonathan. They even made a covenant of friendship with each other. (Read 1 Samuel 17:57; 18:1, 3.) Although friendships with that level of commitment are rare, most friendships flourish when companions are committed, or feel some obligation, to each other.—Prov. 17:17; 18:24.

5. How could a slave permanently benefit from belonging to a good master?

⁵ The Law that God gave to Israel describes another relationship in which people benefited by making a commitment. If a slave wanted the security of belonging permanently to a good master, he could enter a permanent and binding agreement with him. The Law states: “If the slave should insistently say, ‘I really love my master, my wife and my sons; I do not want to go out as one set free,’ then his master must bring him near to the true God and must bring him up against the door or the doorpost; and his master must pierce his ear through with an awl, and he must be his slave to time indefinite.”—Ex. 21:5, 6.

6, 7. (a) How does commitment benefit people? (b) What does that indicate about our relationship with Jehovah?

⁶ Marriage is a relationship that requires a high level of commitment. It is a commitment, not to a contract, but to a person. Two people who merely live together without getting married can never enjoy real security; neither can their children. But partners who are committed to each other in honorable marriage have an impelling Scriptural reason for striving to resolve their difficulties with love when problems arise.—Matt. 19:5, 6; 1 Cor. 13:7, 8; Heb. 13:4.

⁷ In Bible times, people benefited from having binding contracts in business and employment. (Matt. 20:1, 2, 8) Today, the same holds true. For example, we benefit from having a binding written agreement, or written contract, before we begin a business venture or start working as an employee in a company. Hence, if commitment enhances relationships such as friendship, marriage, and employment, how much more will making an unreserved dedication benefit you in your relationship with Jehovah! Let us now consider how people in the past have benefited from being dedicated to Jehovah God and how this was far more than just a commitment.

How Dedication to God Benefited Israel

8. What did being dedicated to God mean for Israel?

⁸ The nation of Israel as a whole became dedicated to Jehovah when they made a vow to God. Jehovah had them assemble near Mount Sinai, and he said to them: “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples.” The people answered unanimously: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.” (Ex. 19:4-8) Being dedicated meant much more for Israel than being committed to do something. It meant that they belonged to Jehovah, and Jehovah treated them as his “special property.”

9. How did Israel benefit from being dedicated to God?

⁹ The Israelites benefited from belonging to Jehovah. He was loyal and cared for them as a loving parent cares for a child. To Israel, God said: “Can a wife forget her suckling so that she should not pity the son of her belly? Even these women can forget, yet I myself shall not forget you.” (Isa. 49:15) Jehovah gave them the guidance of the Law, the encouragement of the prophets, and the protection of the angels. A psalmist wrote: “He is telling his word to Jacob, his regulations and his judicial decisions to Israel. He has not done that way to any other nation.” (Ps. 147:19, 20; read Psalm 34:7, 19; 48:14.) As Jehovah cared for the nation that belonged to him in the past, so he will care for those who dedicate themselves to him today.

Why We Should Dedicate Ourselves to God

10, 11. Are we born into God’s universal family? Explain.

¹⁰ While contemplating Christian dedication and baptism, some may wonder, ‘Why can I not worship God without dedicating myself to him?’ The reason becomes clear when we consider the reality of our present standing before God. Remember, because of Adam’s sin, we are all born outside God’s family. (Rom. 3:23; 5:12) Dedicating ourselves to God is a vital requirement for being accepted into his universal family. Let us see why.

¹¹ None of us have a natural father who could pass on to us life as it should be—perfect life. (1 Tim. 6:19) We were not born as sons of God because when the first human pair sinned, the human race was separated from its loving Father and Creator. (Compare Deuteronomy 32:5.) From that time onward, the world of mankind has lived outside Jehovah’s universal family, alienated from God.

12. (a) How can imperfect humans become members of God’s family? (b) What steps must we take prior to baptism?

¹² Nevertheless, as individuals we can request that God accept us into his family of approved servants.a How is that possible for sinners such as we are? The apostle Paul wrote: “When we were enemies, we became reconciled to God through the death of his Son.” (Rom. 5:10) At baptism we make a request to God for a good conscience so as to be acceptable to him. (1 Pet. 3:21) Prior to baptism, however, there are steps we must take. We must get to know God, learn to trust him, repent, and change our ways. (John 17:3; Acts 3:19; Heb. 11:6) And something else remains to be done before we can be accepted into God’s family. What is that?

13. Why is it fitting for a person to make a vow of dedication to God in order to be part of His family of approved worshippers?

¹³ Before someone who is alienated from God can become a member of God’s family of approved servants, he first needs to make a solemn promise to Jehovah. To understand why, imagine a respectable father who shows kind interest in an orphaned youth and wishes to adopt him as a member of his own family. The father is known to be a good man. Still, before accepting the youth as his son, the man wants the boy to make a promise. So the man says, “Before I accept you as a son, I need to know that you will love and respect me as your father.” Only if the youth is willing to make a solemn promise will the man admit him into his family. Is that not reasonable? Similarly, Jehovah accepts into his family only those who are willing to make a vow of dedication to him. The Bible says: “Offer your very selves to him: a living sacrifice, dedicated and fit for his acceptance.”—Rom. 12:1, The New English Bible.

An Act of Love and Faith

14. In what way is dedication an expression of love?

¹⁴ Making a vow of dedication to God is an expression of our heartfelt love for Jehovah. In some ways it is similar to a wedding vow. A Christian bridegroom expresses his love by vowing to be loyal to his bride, come what may. It is a pledge to a person rather than merely a promise to do something. A Christian bridegroom understands that he could not have the privilege of living with his bride if he would not make a marriage vow. In a similar way, we cannot fully enjoy the benefits of being a member of Jehovah’s family without making a vow of dedication. So we dedicate ourselves to God because, in spite of our imperfection, we desire to belong to him and are resolved to be loyal to him, come what may.—Matt. 22:37.

15. How is dedication an act of faith?

¹⁵ When we dedicate ourselves to God, we perform an act of faith. Why is that so? Our faith in Jehovah makes us confident that drawing close to God is good for us. (Ps. 73:28) We know that it will not always be easy to walk with God while living among “a crooked and twisted generation,” but we trust in God’s promise to support us in our efforts. (Phil. 2:15; 4:13) We know that we are imperfect, but we are confident that Jehovah will deal mercifully with us even when we make mistakes. (Read Psalm 103:13, 14; Romans 7:21-25.) We have faith that Jehovah will reward our resolve to keep our integrity.—Job 27:5.

Dedication to God Leads to Happiness

16, 17. Why does making a dedication to Jehovah lead to happiness?

¹⁶ Being dedicated to Jehovah results in happiness because it involves the giving of ourselves. Jesus stated a basic truth when he said: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Jesus fully experienced the happiness of giving during his earthly ministry. When necessary, he went without rest, food, and comfort so that he could help others to find the road to life. (John 4:34) Jesus found delight in making his Father’s heart rejoice. Jesus said: “I always do the things pleasing to him.”—John 8:29; Prov. 27:11.

¹⁷ Thus, Jesus pointed his followers toward a satisfying way of life when he said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself.” (Matt. 16:24) Doing so draws us closer to Jehovah. Could we place ourselves in the hands of anyone else who could care for us more lovingly?

18. Why does living in harmony with our dedication to Jehovah bring more happiness than being dedicated to anything or anyone else?

¹⁸ Dedicating ourselves to Jehovah and thereafter living in harmony with that dedication by doing his will brings more happiness than being dedicated to anything or anyone else. For example, many people devote their life to the pursuit of material wealth without attaining true happiness and genuine satisfaction. However, those who dedicate themselves to Jehovah find long-lasting happiness. (Matt. 6:24) The honor of being “God’s fellow workers” makes them happy, yet their dedication is not to a work but to our appreciative God. (1 Cor. 3:9) No one could be more appreciative of their self-sacrifice than he is. He will even restore his loyal ones to their youth so that they can benefit from his care forever.—Job 33:25; read Hebrews 6:10.

19. What privilege is enjoyed by those who are dedicated to Jehovah?

¹⁹ Dedicating your life to Jehovah brings you into a close relationship with him. The Bible says: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (Jas. 4:8; Ps. 25:14) In the following article, we will consider why we can be confident about making the choice to belong to Jehovah.

[Footnote]

a Jesus’ “other sheep” will not become sons of God until the end of the thousand years. However, since they have dedicated themselves to God, they can properly address God as “Father” and can rightly be considered members of Jehovah’s family of worshippers.—John 10:16; Isa. 64:8; Matt. 6:9; Rev. 20:5.

How Would You Answer?

• What does dedicating oneself to God mean?

• How does being dedicated to God benefit us?

• Why do Christians need to be dedicated to Jehovah?

[Picture on page 6]

Living in harmony with our dedication leads to our lasting happiness

Belonging to Jehovah—An Undeserved Kindness

pp. 7–11

Belonging to Jehovah—An Undeserved Kindness

“We belong to Jehovah.”—ROM. 14:8.

1, 2. (a) What privilege do we have? (b) What questions will we consider?

WHAT a precious privilege was offered to the nation of Israel when Jehovah said to them: “You will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples.” (Ex. 19:5) Today, members of the Christian congregation also have the honor of belonging to Jehovah. (1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 7:9, 14, 15) It is a privilege that can benefit us forever.

² Besides being a privilege, belonging to Jehovah is also a responsibility. Some may wonder: ‘Will I be able to do what Jehovah expects of me? If I ever fall into sin, will he cast me off? Will belonging to Jehovah rob me of freedom?’ Such concerns are worthy of consideration. First, though, another question deserves careful thought: What are the benefits of belonging to Jehovah?

Belonging to Jehovah Leads to Happiness

3. How did Rahab’s decision to serve Jehovah benefit her?

³ Do people who belong to Jehovah benefit from their situation? Consider the case of Rahab, a prostitute living in ancient Jericho. She had doubtless been raised to practice the depraved worship of the gods of Canaan. Yet, when she heard about the victories that Jehovah had given to Israel, she realized that Jehovah is the true God. So she risked her life to protect God’s chosen people and thus placed her future in their hands. The Bible says: “Was not also Rahab the harlot declared righteous by works, after she had received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way?” (Jas. 2:25) Imagine the benefits that came to her when she became a part of God’s clean people, a people educated by God’s Law in the ways of love and justice. How happy she must have been that she left behind her previous way of life! She married an Israelite and raised her son, Boaz, to be an outstanding man of God.—Josh. 6:25; Ruth 2:4-12; Matt. 1:5, 6.

4. How did Ruth benefit from her decision to serve Jehovah?

⁴ Ruth of Moab also decided to serve Jehovah. As a girl, she had probably worshipped Chemosh and the other gods of Moab, but she came to know the true God, Jehovah, and she married an Israelite who had come to take refuge in her land. (Read Ruth 1:1-6.) Later, as Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, started out with their mother-in-law, Naomi, for Bethlehem, Naomi urged the two young women to return home. It would not be easy for them to settle in Israel. Orpah indeed “returned to her people and her gods,” but Ruth did not. She acted on her faith and knew to whom she wanted to belong. She told Naomi: “Do not plead with me to abandon you, to turn back from accompanying you; for where you go I shall go, and where you spend the night I shall spend the night. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:15, 16) Because of her choice to serve Jehovah, Ruth benefited from God’s Law, which made special provision for widows and for the poor and landless. Under Jehovah’s wings, she found happiness, protection, and security.

5. What have you observed about people who faithfully serve Jehovah?

⁵ You may know some individuals who after dedicating themselves to Jehovah have been serving him faithfully for decades. Ask them how they have benefited from serving him. Though no one is without problems, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the words of the psalmist: “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!”—Ps. 144:15.

Jehovah’s Reasonable Expectations

6. Why should we not fear being unable to do what Jehovah expects of us?

⁶ You may have wondered if you will be able to do what Jehovah expects of you. It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of being a servant of God, living by his law, and speaking in his name. For example, Moses felt inadequate when he was sent to speak to the Israelites and to the king of Egypt. But God was not unreasonable in what he expected of Moses. Jehovah ‘taught him what to do.’ (Read Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10, 13-15.) Since Moses accepted the help offered, he experienced the joy of accomplishing God’s will. Jehovah is just as reasonable in what he expects of us. He understands our imperfect nature, and he wants to help us. (Ps. 103:14) Serving God as a follower of Jesus is refreshing rather than overwhelming because such a life course benefits others and makes Jehovah’s heart glad. Jesus said: “Come to me, . . . and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart.”—Matt. 11:28, 29.

7. Why can you be confident that Jehovah will help you to do what he expects of you?

⁷ Jehovah will always provide the encouragement we need, as long as we rely on him for strength. For example, Jeremiah was evidently not outspoken by nature. Thus, when Jehovah assigned him to be His prophet, Jeremiah said: “Alas, O Sovereign Lord Jehovah! Here I actually do not know how to speak, for I am but a boy.” Later, he even said: “I shall speak no more in his name.” (Jer. 1:6; 20:9) Yet, with Jehovah’s encouragement, Jeremiah was able to preach an unpopular message for 40 years. Jehovah repeatedly reassured him with the words: “I am with you, to save you and to deliver you.”—Jer. 1:8, 19; 15:20.

8. How do we reveal that we trust in Jehovah?

⁸ Just as Jehovah strengthened Moses and Jeremiah, he can help us to do what he expects of Christians today. The key factor is to rely on God. The Bible says: “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5, 6) We reveal that we trust in Jehovah when we avail ourselves of the help he provides through his Word and through the congregation. If we allow Jehovah to guide our steps in life, nothing will prevent us from being faithful to him.

Jehovah Cares for His People as Individuals

9, 10. What sort of protection does the 91st Psalm promise?

⁹ While contemplating their decision to dedicate themselves to Jehovah, some may have wondered about the danger of sinning, becoming unworthy, and being rejected by Jehovah. Happily, Jehovah provides us with all the protection we need to safeguard our precious relationship with him. Let us see how that is expressed in the 91st Psalm.

¹⁰ That psalm begins: “Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the very shadow of the Almighty One. I will say to Jehovah: ‘You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God, in whom I will trust.’ For he himself will deliver you from the trap of the birdcatcher.” (Ps. 91:1-3) Notice that God promises to protect those who love him and trust in him. (Read Psalm 91:9, 14.) What sort of protection did he mean? Well, Jehovah protected some of his ancient servants physically—in some cases to preserve the genealogical line leading to the promised Messiah. However, many other faithful men were imprisoned, tortured, and killed in devilish attempts to turn them away from faithfulness to God. (Heb. 11:34-39) They found the needed courage to endure because Jehovah protected them spiritually from the danger of breaking their integrity. Therefore, the 91st Psalm can be understood as a promise of spiritual protection.

11. What is “the secret place of the Most High,” and whom does God protect in it?

¹¹ “The secret place of the Most High,” mentioned by the psalmist, is thus a figurative place of spiritual protection. In it, those who lodge with God as his guests are safe from anything and anyone that threatens their faith and their love for God. (Ps. 15:1, 2; 121:5) It is a secret place because unbelievers cannot discern it. Here, Jehovah protects people who say, in effect: ‘You are my God in whom I will trust.’ If we remain in this place of refuge, we need not worry unduly about losing God’s favor by falling into a trap of Satan, “the birdcatcher.”

12. What dangers threaten our relationship with God?

¹² What dangers threaten our precious relationship with God? The psalmist mentions several dangers, among them “the pestilence that walks in the gloom, . . . [and] the destruction that despoils at midday.” (Ps. 91:5, 6) “The birdcatcher” has trapped many with a selfish desire for independence. (2 Cor. 11:3) He catches others by promoting greed, pride, and materialism. Still others he misleads by such philosophies as patriotism, evolution, and false religion. (Col. 2:8) And many have been lured into the trap of illicit sex relations. Such spiritually harmful plagues have caused millions to lose their love for God.—Read Psalm 91:7-10; Matt. 24:12.

Protecting Your Love for God

13. How does Jehovah protect us from dangers that threaten our spiritual welfare?

¹³ How does Jehovah protect his people from these spiritual dangers? The psalm says: “He will give his own angels a command concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.” (Ps. 91:11) Heavenly angels guide and protect us so that we can preach the good news. (Rev. 14:6) In addition to the angels, Christian elders, by holding firmly to the Scriptures in their teaching, protect us from being deceived by false reasoning. They can provide individual help to any who are struggling to overcome worldly attitudes. (Titus 1:9; 1 Pet. 5:2) Also, “the faithful and discreet slave” provides spiritual food to protect us against the teaching of evolution, the enticement of immoral desires, the pursuit of riches and prominence, and numerous other harmful desires and influences. (Matt. 24:45) What has helped you to resist some of those dangers?

14. How can we take advantage of the protection God provides?

¹⁴ What must we do to remain in God’s “secret place” of protection? Just as we constantly have to protect ourselves from physical dangers, such as accidents, criminals, or infections, so we must act continuously to protect ourselves from spiritual dangers. Hence, we should regularly take advantage of the guidance that Jehovah provides for us in our publications and at congregation meetings and assemblies. We seek the advice of the elders. And do we not benefit from the variety of qualities displayed by our Christian brothers and sisters? Indeed, our association with the congregation helps us to become wise.—Prov. 13:20; read 1 Peter 4:10.

15. Why can you be confident that Jehovah can protect you from anything that could cause you to lose his approval?

¹⁵ We have no reason to doubt that Jehovah can protect us from anything that could cause us to lose his approval. (Rom. 8:38, 39) He has protected the congregation from powerful religious and political enemies whose aim has usually been, not to kill us, but to separate us from our holy God. Jehovah’s promise has proved true: “Any weapon whatever that will be formed against you will have no success.”—Isa. 54:17.

Who Gives Us Freedom?

16. Why can the world not offer us freedom?

¹⁶ Will belonging to Jehovah rob us of freedom? On the contrary, belonging to the world would rob us of freedom. The world is alienated from Jehovah and ruled by a cruel god who enslaves people. (John 14:30) For example, Satan’s system of things uses economic pressure to rob people of their freedom. (Compare Revelation 13:16, 17.) Sin also has a deceptive power to enslave people. (John 8:34; Heb. 3:13) So even though unbelievers may promise freedom when they promote a way of life that is at odds with Jehovah’s teachings, any who listen to them will quickly find themselves enslaved to a sinful and degrading lifestyle.—Rom. 1:24-32.

17. What freedom does Jehovah offer us?

¹⁷ On the other hand, Jehovah will set us free from everything that can harm us if we entrust ourselves to him. In some ways, our situation is like that of a person who puts his life into the hands of a skilled surgeon who can set him free from a life-threatening condition. We all have a life-threatening condition—an inheritance of sin. Only if we entrust ourselves to Jehovah, on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, can we hope to escape the effects of sin and live forever. (John 3:36) Just as our confidence in a surgeon may grow as we learn of his reputation, so our trust in Jehovah will grow as we continue to learn about him. Hence, we continue to study God’s Word carefully because that will help us to love him in a way that will dispel any fear of belonging to him.—1 John 4:18.

18. What will be the result for those who belong to Jehovah?

¹⁸ Jehovah grants freedom of choice to all people. His Word says: “You must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God.” (Deut. 30:19, 20) He wants us to express our love for him by freely choosing to serve him. Rather than robbing us of freedom, belonging to the God we love will surely make and keep us happy.

19. Why is belonging to Jehovah an undeserved kindness?

¹⁹ As sinners, we do not deserve to belong to a perfect God. Only God’s undeserved kindness makes it possible. (2 Tim. 1:9) Hence, Paul wrote: “Both if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. Therefore both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah.” (Rom. 14:8) We will surely never regret choosing to belong to Jehovah.

How Would You Answer?

• What are the benefits of belonging to Jehovah?

• Why are we able to do what God expects of us?

• How does Jehovah provide protection for his servants?

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Ask others how they have benefited from belonging to Jehovah

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What are some ways in which Jehovah provides protection?

Prove to Be a Real Follower of Christ

pp. 12–16

Prove to Be a Real Follower of Christ

“Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit.”—MATT. 7:17.

1, 2. How are Christ’s true followers set apart from the false, especially during this time of the end?

JESUS said that those falsely professing to serve him would be distinguished from his true followers by their fruits—their teachings and their conduct. (Matt. 7:15-17, 20) Indeed, people are inevitably influenced by what they take into their mind and heart. (Matt. 15:18, 19) Those who are fed falsehoods produce “worthless fruit,” whereas those who are taught spiritual truth produce “fine fruit.”

² The two kinds of fruits have become clearly manifest during this time of the end. (Read Daniel 12:3, 10.) False Christians have a distorted view of God and often a hypocritical form of godly devotion, whereas those having spiritual insight worship God “with spirit and truth.” (John 4:24; 2 Tim. 3:1-5) They strive to display Christlike qualities. But what about us personally? As you consider the following five identifying marks of true Christianity, ask yourself: ‘Do my conduct and teachings clearly harmonize with God’s Word? Do I beautify the truth in the eyes of those searching for it?’

Live by God’s Word

3. What pleases Jehovah, and what does this involve for true Christians?

³ “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens,” said Jesus, “but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will.” (Matt. 7:21) Yes, it is not the professing of Christianity that pleases Jehovah but the practicing of it. For Christ’s true followers, that involves their whole way of life, including their attitude toward money, secular work, entertainment, worldly customs and celebrations, and marriage and other relationships with fellow humans. False Christians, however, adopt the thinking and ways of the world, which have become increasingly ungodly during these last days.—Ps. 92:7.

4, 5. How can we apply Jehovah’s words found at Malachi 3:18 in our life?

⁴ Accordingly, the prophet Malachi wrote: “You people will again certainly see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him.” (Mal. 3:18) As you reflect on those words, ask yourself: ‘Do I blend in with the world, or do I stand out as different? Do I always strive to fit in with my secular associates, whether at school or at work, or do I remain firm for Bible principles, even speaking up when appropriate?’ (Read 1 Peter 3:16.) Of course, we do not want to appear self-righteous, but we should stand out as different from those who do not love and serve Jehovah.

⁵ If you see room for improvement, why not pray about the matter and seek spiritual strength through regular Bible study, prayer, and meeting attendance? The more God’s Word becomes a part of you, the more you will produce “fine fruit,” including “the fruit of lips which make public declaration to [God’s] name.”—Heb. 13:15.

Advocate God’s Kingdom

6, 7. In regard to the Kingdom message, what contrast can be seen between true and false Christians?

⁶ Jesus said: “To other cities I must declare the good news of the kingdom of God, because for this I was sent forth.” (Luke 4:43) Why did Jesus make God’s Kingdom the main theme of his ministry? He knew that he himself as King of that Kingdom, along with his resurrected spirit-begotten brothers, would deal with the root causes of mankind’s woes—sin and the Devil. (Rom. 5:12; Rev. 20:10) Hence, he commanded his followers to proclaim that Kingdom until the end of the present system of things. (Matt. 24:14) People who merely profess to be followers of Christ do not engage in this work—in fact, they cannot. Why? For at least three reasons: First, they cannot preach what they do not understand. Second, most of them lack the humility and courage needed to face the ridicule and opposition that may result from sharing the Kingdom message with their neighbors. (Matt. 24:9; 1 Pet. 2:23) And third, false Christians do not have God’s spirit.—John 14:16, 17.

⁷ Christ’s true followers, on the other hand, understand what God’s Kingdom is and what it will accomplish. Moreover, they give the interests of that Kingdom priority in life, proclaiming it worldwide, with the help of Jehovah’s spirit. (Zech. 4:6) Are you having a regular share in this work? Are you trying to improve as a Kingdom proclaimer, perhaps by spending more time in the ministry or by being more effective in it? Some have tried to improve the quality of their ministry by making better use of the Bible. “The word of God is alive and exerts power,” wrote the apostle Paul, who made it his custom to reason from the Scriptures.—Heb. 4:12; Acts 17:2, 3.

8, 9. (a) What experiences highlight the value of using the Bible in our ministry? (b) How can we become more adept at using God’s Word?

⁸ When in the door-to-door work, a brother read Daniel 2:44 to a Catholic man and explained how God’s Kingdom will bring about true peace and security. The man responded: “I really appreciate your opening the Bible and showing me what the scripture said instead of just telling me.” When a brother read a scripture to a Greek Orthodox woman, she asked a number of good questions. In this case too, the brother, along with his wife, answered from the Bible. Later, the woman said: “Do you know why I was willing to talk with you? You came to my door with the Bible, and you read from it.”

⁹ Of course, our literature is important and should be offered in the field. The Bible, however, is our primary tool. So if it has not been your custom to use it regularly in your ministry, why not make it your goal to do so? Perhaps you could select a few key texts that explain what God’s Kingdom is and how it will solve specific problems that concern people in your neighborhood. Then be prepared to read them as you preach from door to door.

Proudly Bear God’s Name

10, 11. Regarding the use of God’s name, what contrast is there between Jesus and many who claim to follow him?

¹⁰ “‘You are my witnesses,’ is the utterance of Jehovah, ‘and I am God.’” (Isa. 43:12) Jehovah’s preeminent Witness, Jesus Christ, considered it an honor to bear God’s name and to make it known. (Read Exodus 3:15; John 17:6; Hebrews 2:12.) In fact, because Jesus proclaimed his Father’s name, he was called “the Faithful Witness.”—Rev. 1:5; Matt. 6:9.

¹¹ In contrast, many who claim to represent God and his Son have displayed a shameful attitude toward the divine name, even removing it from their versions of the Bible. Reflecting a similar spirit, a recent directive to Catholic bishops said that “the name of God in the form of the tetragrammaton YHWH is neither to be used or pronounced” during worship.a How reprehensible such thinking is!

12. How did Jehovah’s servants become even more closely identified with Jehovah in the year 1931?

¹² In imitation of both Christ and the great “cloud of witnesses” who preceded him, true Christians proudly use God’s name. (Heb. 12:1) In fact, in the year 1931, God’s servants became even more closely identified with Jehovah by accepting the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. (Read Isaiah 43:10-12.) Thus, in a very special sense, Christ’s true followers became a “people who are called by [God’s] name.”—Acts 15:14, 17.

13. How can we live up to our God-given name?

¹³ How can we personally live up to our unique name? For one thing, we must faithfully bear witness to God. “Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved,” wrote Paul. “However, how will they call on him in whom they have not put faith? How, in turn, will they put faith in him of whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent forth?” (Rom. 10:13-15) Also, we should tactfully expose religious falsehoods that malign our Creator, such as the doctrine of hellfire, which in reality attributes to the God of love the cruel traits of the Devil.—Jer. 7:31; 1 John 4:8; compare Mark 9:17-27.

14. When learning of God’s personal name, how have some responded?

¹⁴ Are you proud to bear the name of your heavenly Father? Do you help others to come to know that holy name? A woman in Paris, France, heard that Jehovah’s Witnesses knew the name of God, so she asked the next Witness she met to show her that name in her Bible. When she read Psalm 83:18, the impact was profound. She began to study the Bible and is now a faithful sister serving in another land. When a Catholic lady living in Australia saw God’s name in the Bible for the first time, she wept for joy. For many years now, she has been a regular pioneer. More recently, when Witnesses in Jamaica showed a woman there God’s name in her own Bible, she too shed tears of joy. So be proud to bear God’s name and, in imitation of Jesus, to make that precious name manifest to all.

“Do Not Be Loving . . . the World”

15, 16. How do true Christians view the world, and what questions should we ask ourselves?

¹⁵ “Do not be loving either the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) The world and its fleshly spirit stand in opposition to Jehovah and his holy spirit. Hence, Christ’s true followers do not merely refrain from being a part of the world. They reject it at heart, knowing that as the disciple James wrote, “friendship with the world is enmity with God.”—Jas. 4:4.

¹⁶ It can be a challenge to heed James’ words in a world that offers countless temptations. (2 Tim. 4:10) Jesus therefore prayed in behalf of his followers: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:15, 16) Ask yourself: ‘Do I strive to be no part of the world? Do others know my stand on unscriptural celebrations and customs as well as on those that may not have a pagan origin but clearly reflect the spirit of the world?’—2 Cor. 6:17; 1 Pet. 4:3, 4.

17. What may move honesthearted ones to take sides with Jehovah?

¹⁷ To be sure, our Bible-based stand will not win us the world’s favor, but it may arouse the curiosity of honesthearted ones. Indeed, when such individuals observe that our faith is firmly rooted in the Scriptures and involves our whole way of life, they may respond by, in effect, saying to the anointed: “We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people.”—Zech. 8:23.

Show True Christian Love

18. What is involved in showing love for Jehovah and our neighbor?

¹⁸ Jesus said: “You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind” and “you must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 22:37, 39) That love (a·gaʹpe in Greek) is a moral love that takes into account duty, principle, and propriety, but it often includes strong emotion. It can be warm and intense. (1 Pet. 1:22) It is the very opposite of selfishness, for it is reflected in selfless words and deeds.—Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

19, 20. Relate some experiences that show the power of Christian love.

¹⁹ Because love is a product of God’s holy spirit, it enables true Christians to do what others cannot do, such as overcome racial, cultural, and political barriers. (Read John 13:34, 35; Gal. 5:22) Sheeplike ones cannot help but be moved when they see such love. For example, when a young Jewish man in Israel attended his first Christian meeting, he was amazed to see Jewish and Arab brothers worshipping Jehovah side by side. As a result, he began to attend meetings regularly and accepted a Bible study. Do you show such heartfelt love to your brothers? And do you make it a point to extend a warm welcome to newcomers at your Kingdom Hall, regardless of their nationality, skin color, or social standing?

²⁰ As true Christians, we strive to show love toward all. In El Salvador, a young publisher was studying the Bible with an 87-year-old Catholic woman who clung to her church. One day, the woman became gravely ill and was hospitalized. When she returned home, the Witnesses called and made sure that she had food. This went on for about a month. Nobody from the woman’s church visited. The result? She discarded her images, resigned from her church, and resumed her Bible study. Yes, Christian love has power! It can reach hearts in ways that the spoken word may not.

21. How can we make our future secure?

²¹ Soon, Jesus will say to all who falsely claim to serve him: “I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matt. 7:23) Let us, therefore, produce fruitage that honors both the Father and the Son. “Everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them,” said Jesus, “will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass.” (Matt. 7:24) Yes, if we prove to be real followers of Christ, we will receive God’s favor, and our future will be secure, as if founded on rock!

[Footnote]

a Some modern Catholic publications in English, including The Jerusalem Bible, render the tetragrammaton “Yahweh.”

Do You Remember?

• How are Christ’s true followers distinguished from the false?

• Name some “fruits” that identify true Christians.

• In producing Christian fruitage, what goals can you set?

[Picture on page 13]

Is it your custom to use the Bible regularly in your ministry?

[Picture on page 15]

Do others know your stand on unscriptural celebrations?

Help Your Children to Meet Their Many Challenges

pp. 16–20

Help Your Children to Meet Their Many Challenges

OUR young people are under intense pressure. They are exposed to the spirit of Satan’s wicked world, and they must contend with “the desires incidental to youth.” (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 John 5:19) Moreover, because they strive to ‘remember their Grand Creator,’ they have to cope with ridicule—even harassment—from those who oppose their beliefs. (Eccl. 12:1) Looking back to the time when he was growing up, a brother named Vincent says: “Somebody was always harassing me, bullying me, or picking a fight with me because I was a Witness. Many times it would get so bad that I did not want to go to school.”a

In addition to pressures from the world, our sons or daughters may also have to fight against their own desire to be like their peers. “It is not easy being viewed as different,” says Cathleen, a sister in her late teens. A young brother named Alan admits, “I was often invited to go out with my schoolmates on the weekends, and I really wanted to go.” Further, the desire of young people to participate in school sports events, which can easily lead to bad association, can be strong. “I love sports,” says a young sister named Tanya. “The coaches in school were always trying to get me to play on the team. It was hard to refuse.”

How can you help your children to meet their many challenges? Jehovah commissioned parents to provide guidance for their offspring. (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4) The goal of God-fearing parents is to develop in their children’s hearts a desire to obey Jehovah. (Prov. 6:20-23) In that way, children will be motivated to resist the world’s pressures even when their parents are not watching.

For parents, it is a challenge to make a living, raise a family, and care for congregation activities—all at the same time. Some have to do so as a single parent or while facing opposition from an unbelieving mate. Still, Jehovah requires that parents set aside time to provide support for their offspring. Hence, what can you do to help your children to build a bulwark against the peer pressure, temptations, and harassment they face from day to day?

A Personal Relationship With Jehovah

First of all, our young people need to know Jehovah as a real Person. They need to be helped to ‘see the One who is invisible.’ (Heb. 11:27) Vincent, mentioned earlier, recalls how his parents helped him to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah. He says: “They taught me the importance of prayer. I can remember that from a very young age, I prayed to Jehovah every night before going to bed. Jehovah was real to me.” Do you pray with your children? Why not listen to what they say to Jehovah in their personal prayers? Do they just repeat a set pattern of words? Or do they express in their prayers how they really feel about Jehovah? By listening to their prayers, you may be able to discern their spiritual progress.

Personally reading the Word of God is another important way that young people draw closer to Jehovah. Cathleen, mentioned earlier, states: “Reading the Bible all the way through at a young age helped me. It gave me confidence that even if people were against me, I had Jehovah’s support.” Do your children have their own Bible-reading program?—Ps. 1:1-3; 77:12.

True, children differ in the way they react to parental guidance. Also, their spiritual progress may depend on their age. Yet, without guidance, it will be hard for young ones to come to know Jehovah as a real Person. Parents have to inculcate in their children God’s words so that the children can hear Jehovah speaking, as it were, wherever they may be. (Deut. 6:6-9) Your children have to believe that Jehovah personally cares about them.

Communication—How to Make It Meaningful

Communication is another vital way to help your children. Of course, good communication involves more than talking to your children. It includes asking questions and patiently listening to their answers—even if those answers prove to be different from what you would like to hear. “I ask questions until I feel that I understand what they are thinking and what they are dealing with in their life,” says Anne, a mother of two boys. Do your children feel that they are being heard? Tanya, quoted earlier, says: “My parents really listened to me and remembered our conversations. They knew the names of my classmates. They would ask about them and about other situations we had discussed in the past.” Listening and remembering are vital for successful communication.

Many families have found that mealtimes afford good opportunities for meaningful communication. “Eating together was important in our family,” explains Vincent. “We were expected to be at the table with the family whenever possible. Watching television, listening to the radio, or reading during the meal was not allowed. Since most of the time the conversation was light, it provided a calm moment each day that helped me to deal with the chaos and pressures I faced at school.” He adds: “Being accustomed to talking with my parents at mealtimes also helped me to feel comfortable talking with them when I needed help with more serious matters.”

Ask yourself, ‘How often each week do we eat together as a family?’ Would adjustments in this area give you an opportunity for more and better communication with your children?

Why Practice Sessions Are So Valuable

A weekly Family Worship evening also encourages meaningful conversation and helps young ones to deal with specific problems. Alan, mentioned earlier, states: “My parents used the family study period to draw us out. They considered topics that were relevant to what we were dealing with.” Alan’s mother says: “We used some of the study time to have practice sessions. These sessions helped our children to learn how to defend their faith and to prove that what they believe is true. This gave them the confidence they needed to handle the challenges that came their way.”

Indeed, when confronted with peer pressure, children often need to do more than just say no and walk away. They have to be able to answer such questions as why and why not. They also need to feel confident about what to do when being ridiculed because of their faith. If they cannot defend their beliefs, it will be hard for them to take a bold stand for true worship. Practice sessions can help build that confidence.

The box on page 18 lists some scenarios that could be acted out during your Family Worship evening. Make these sessions realistic by challenging the answers your children give. Along with such practice sessions, consider some of the practical lessons taught by Bible examples. Such training at home will no doubt equip your children to meet challenges at school and elsewhere.

Home—A Safe Haven?

Is your home the kind of place your children look forward to returning to at the end of each school day? If it is a safe haven, it will help your children to face their daily challenges. A sister who is now a member of a Bethel family states: “When I was growing up, one of the most important things for me was that our home was a safe haven. No matter how bad the situation was at school, I knew that when I came home, everything would be all right.” What characterizes the atmosphere in your home? Is it a place where “fits of anger, contentions, [and] divisions” are common, or is it known for “love, joy, [and] peace”? (Gal. 5:19-23) If peace is often missing, do you try hard to find out what changes are needed in order to make your home a safe haven for your children?

Another way to help your children meet challenges is by taking the initiative in providing upbuilding association for them. For instance, could you include some spiritually-minded brothers and sisters from the congregation in your family’s recreational activities? Or could you arrange for a simple meal in your home with the traveling overseer or others engaged in full-time service? Do you know any missionaries or Bethelites with whom your children could develop a friendship, even if just by letters, e-mail, or periodic phone calls? Such relationships can help your children to set straight paths for their feet and develop spiritual goals. Think of the good effect that the apostle Paul had on young Timothy. (2 Tim. 1:13; 3:10) Paul’s close association with him helped Timothy to keep his mind focused on spiritual goals.—1 Cor. 4:17.

Commend Your Children

Jehovah is pleased to see young people take their stand for what is right in spite of the pressures from Satan’s world. (Ps. 147:11; Prov. 27:11) No doubt, you too rejoice at seeing our young people choose the wise course. (Prov. 10:1) Let your children know how you feel about them, and be generous with loving commendation. Jehovah set a fine example for parents. At the time of Jesus’ baptism, Jehovah said: “You are my Son, the beloved; I have approved you.” (Mark 1:11) How his Father’s assurance must have strengthened Jesus to deal with the many challenges he was about to face! Likewise, let your children know that you love them, and acknowledge what they are accomplishing.

Granted, you cannot completely shield your children from pressures, harassment, and ridicule. Still, you can do much to help them. In what ways? Assist them to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah. Create an atmosphere that stimulates meaningful conversations. Make the Family Worship evening practical, and make your home a safe haven. Doing so will no doubt equip your children to meet their many challenges.

[Footnote]

a Some names in this article have been changed.

[Box/Picture on page 18]

PRACTICE SESSIONS CAN HELP

Here are some examples of situations that our young people encounter. Why not practice some of these scenarios during your Family Worship evenings?

▸ A coach asks your daughter to join the school team.

▸ Your son is offered a cigarette on the way home from school.

▸ Some boys threaten to beat up your son if they see him preaching again.

▸ While your daughter is working from door to door in field service, she encounters a schoolmate.

▸ In front of the class, your daughter is asked why she does not salute the flag.

▸ A boy constantly ridicules your son for being a Witness.

[Picture on page 17]

Do your children have their own Bible-reading program?

[Picture on page 19]

Do you include spiritually-minded ones in your recreational activities?

Use Each Day of Your Life for God’s Glory

pp. 21–23

Use Each Day of Your Life for God’s Glory

“IN THE morning cause me to hear your loving-kindness,” prayed the psalmist David to Jehovah. “Make known to me the way in which I should walk.” (Ps. 143:8) When you wake up and thank Jehovah for a new day of life, do you, like David, entreat Jehovah to guide you in making decisions and taking the best course of action? No doubt you do.

As dedicated servants of Jehovah, “whether [we] are eating or drinking or doing anything else,” we strive to “do all things for God’s glory.” (1 Cor. 10:31) We realize that the way we live our daily life will either honor or dishonor Jehovah. We also remember that God’s Word states that Satan is accusing Christ’s brothers—and, in fact, all of God’s servants on earth—“day and night.” (Rev. 12:10) Therefore, we are determined to give a reply to Satan’s false accusations and to make Jehovah’s heart rejoice by rendering sacred service to our heavenly Father “day and night.”—Rev. 7:15; Prov. 27:11.

Let us briefly consider two important ways in which we can use each day of our life for God’s glory. The first involves getting our priorities right and the second, showing consideration for others.

Living Up to Our Promise

By dedicating ourselves to Jehovah, we expressed our heartfelt desire to serve him. We also promised Jehovah that we would walk in his ways “day after day”—yes, forever. (Ps. 61:5, 8) How, then, do we live up to that promise? How do we demonstrate our wholehearted love for Jehovah each day?

God’s Word clearly identifies the responsibilities that Jehovah expects us to fulfill. (Deut. 10:12, 13) Several are listed in the box entitled “God-Given Responsibilities,” on page 22. All these assignments are God-given and thus important. How do we decide which one takes priority when two or more require our attention at the same time?

We give priority to our sacred service, which includes Bible study, prayer, Christian meetings, and the ministry. (Matt. 6:33; John 4:34; 1 Pet. 2:9) Yet, spiritual activities cannot occupy our whole day. Employment, school, and numerous household duties need to be fitted in. Even so, we do our utmost to arrange secular work and other activities in such a way that they do not interfere with our sacred service, such as attending Christian meetings. For example, when planning for a vacation, we make sure that we will not miss the circuit overseer’s visit, a special assembly day, a circuit assembly, or a district convention. At times, we may be able to combine some of our responsibilities. For instance, we could make cleaning the Kingdom Hall a family project or use lunchtime at work or at school to give a witness to colleagues or fellow students. Indeed, whenever we need to make a choice in our life—such as finding employment, selecting schooling, or choosing friends—we want to let our decisions be influenced by our greatest priority in life—the worship of Jehovah, our loving Father.—Eccl. 12:13.

Show Consideration for Others

Jehovah wants us to show concern for others and do good to them. Satan, on the other hand, promotes selfishness. His world is full of people who are “lovers of themselves” and “lovers of pleasures” as well as those who are “sowing with a view to [the] flesh.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Gal. 6:8) Many think little about the effects of their actions on others. “The works of the flesh” are evident everywhere.—Gal. 5:19-21.

How different the attitude is of those who, prompted by Jehovah’s holy spirit, display love, kindness, and goodness in their dealings with others! (Gal. 5:22) God’s Word tells us to focus on the needs of others ahead of our own. Therefore, we take an active interest in one another, though we are careful not to interfere in personal matters. (1 Cor. 10:24, 33; Phil. 2:3, 4; 1 Pet. 4:15) We show particular consideration for fellow believers. Still, we also strive to be helpful to unbelievers. (Gal. 6:10) Can you look for an opportunity today to demonstrate kindness to someone you meet?—See the box “Show Them Consideration,” on page 23.

Showing consideration is not limited to some special time or particular situation. (Gal. 6:2; Eph. 5:2; 1 Thess. 4:9, 10) Instead, every day we try to be aware of the circumstances of others and readily respond to a need, even when doing so may be inconvenient for us. We want to be generous with whatever we have at our disposal—our time, material possessions, experience, and wisdom. We have Jehovah’s assurance that when we are generous toward others, he will be generous toward us.—Prov. 11:25; Luke 6:38.

Sacred Service “Day and Night”

Is it really possible to render sacred service to Jehovah “day and night”? Yes, by being regular and diligent in all aspects of our worship. (Acts 20:31) We can fill our lives with sacred service by reading and meditating on God’s Word every day, by praying incessantly, by striving to be at all the meetings, and by taking every opportunity to give a witness.—Ps. 1:2; Luke 2:37; Acts 4:20; 1 Thess. 3:10; 5:17.

Are we personally rendering such sacred service to Jehovah? If so, our desire to please him and provide an answer to Satan’s accusations will be reflected in all aspects of our daily lives. We strive to give Jehovah glory in everything we do and in whatever situation we find ourselves. We allow his principles to govern our speech and conduct and to guide us in the decisions we make. We show our appreciation for his loving care and support by putting our full confidence in him and using what strength we have in his service. And we welcome his counsel and discipline when because of our imperfections we fall short of his standards.—Ps. 32:5; 119:97; Prov. 3:25, 26; Col. 3:17; Heb. 6:11, 12.

Let us continue to live each day for the glory of God. By doing so, we will find refreshment for our souls and will enjoy the loving care of our heavenly Father forever.—Matt. 11:29; Rev. 7:16, 17.

[Box/Pictures on page 22]

God-Given Responsibilities

• Pray frequently.—Rom. 12:12.

• Read and study the Bible, making personal application.—Ps. 1:2; 1 Tim. 4:15.

• Worship Jehovah in the congregation.—Ps. 35:18; Heb. 10:24, 25.

• Provide materially, spiritually, and emotionally for our family members.—1 Tim. 5:8.

• Preach the good news of the Kingdom, and make disciples.—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.

• Care for our physical, spiritual, and emotional health, which includes arranging for wholesome recreation.—Mark 6:31; 2 Cor. 7:1; 1 Tim. 4:8, 16.

• Care for congregation responsibilities.—Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:1.

• Care for the appearance of our home and Kingdom Hall.—1 Cor. 10:32.

[Box/Picture on page 23]

Show Them Consideration

• An elderly brother or sister.—Lev. 19:32.

• Someone suffering from a physical or an emotional illness.—Prov. 14:21.

• A congregation member in urgent need of something you can provide.—Rom. 12:13.

• A member of your immediate family.—1 Tim. 5:4, 8.

• A fellow believer whose spouse has died.—1 Tim. 5:9.

• A hardworking elder in your congregation.—1 Thess. 5:12, 13; 1 Tim. 5:17.

Satan’s Way of Ruling Sure to Fail

pp. 24–28

Satan’s Way of Ruling Sure to Fail

“It will not turn out well at all with the wicked one.”—ECCL. 8:13.

1. Why is the coming judgment of the wicked comforting news?

SOONER or later the wicked will have to be brought to justice. They will have to answer for what they have done. (Prov. 5:22; Eccl. 8:12, 13) That is comforting news, especially for those who love righteousness and who have suffered injustice and mistreatment at the hands of the wicked. Foremost among the wicked who will be brought to justice is the father of wickedness, Satan the Devil.—John 8:44.

2. Why was time needed to settle the issue raised in Eden?

² Back in Eden, Satan, consumed by feelings of self-importance, caused humans to reject Jehovah’s way of governing. As a result, our first parents joined Satan in challenging Jehovah’s rightful authority and became sinners in His sight. (Rom. 5:12-14) Of course, Jehovah knew how their disrespectful and rebellious course would turn out for them. However, that inevitable outcome had to be made obvious to all intelligent creatures. Hence, time was needed to settle the issue and to demonstrate convincingly that the rebels were utterly wrong.

3. What is our position toward human governments?

³ Since humans rejected Jehovah’s oversight, they had to set up their own forms of government. The apostle Paul, writing to fellow believers in Rome, spoke of such human governments as “the superior authorities.” In Paul’s day, the superior authorities were primarily the government of Rome under Emperor Nero, who ruled from 54-68 C.E. Paul said that such superior authorities “stand placed in their relative positions by God.” (Read Romans 13:1, 2.) Does that mean that Paul was advocating human rule as superior to God’s way of governing? By no means. Rather, he was simply saying that as long as Jehovah allows human rulership to exist, Christians should respect “the arrangement of God” and accept such rulers.

A Path Leading to Disaster

4. Explain why human rule is bound to fail.

⁴ Still, human rule influenced by Satan is certain to fail. Why? For one thing, because it is not based on divine wisdom. Only Jehovah possesses perfect wisdom. Thus, he is the only reliable guide as to what constitutes successful rulership. (Jer. 8:9; Rom. 16:27) Unlike humans, who often learn by trial and error, Jehovah always knows the best possible way to act. Any governmental arrangement that does not follow his guidance is bound to be inferior. For that reason alone—not to mention the wicked motive involved—Satan’s alternative way of governing by means of human rule was sure to fail from the start.

5, 6. What apparently led Satan into his course of opposition to Jehovah?

⁵ A sensible person generally refrains from embarking on an endeavor that is doomed to fail. If he insists on going ahead with his endeavor, he will be forced to recognize his error. History has proved many times over that it is useless to stand in opposition to the almighty Creator. (Read Proverbs 21:30.) Satan, however, blinded by feelings of self-importance and pride, turned his back on Jehovah. Thus the Devil plunged headlong onto a path that could end only in disaster.

⁶ Satan’s presumptuous attitude was later reflected by a Babylonian ruler who is recorded as boasting: “To the heavens I shall go up. Above the stars of God I shall lift up my throne, and I shall sit down upon the mountain of meeting, in the remotest parts of the north. I shall go up above the high places of the clouds; I shall make myself resemble the Most High.” (Isa. 14:13-15) That ruler’s senseless undertaking failed, and the Babylonian dynasty came to an inglorious end. Similarly, Satan and his world will soon go down in total defeat.

Why Permitted?

7, 8. What are some benefits from Jehovah’s allowing wickedness to exist for some time?

⁷ Some may wonder why Jehovah did not prevent humans from taking sides with Satan and from following an alternative plan for governing that was certain to fail. As God Almighty, he could surely have done so. (Ex. 6:3) Nevertheless, he held back. His wisdom dictated that temporarily refraining from interfering in man’s rebellion would in the long run work out for the best. Eventually, Jehovah would be vindicated as being a righteous and loving Ruler, and faithful humans would benefit from God’s decision.

⁸ What misery could have been spared the human family if humans had rejected Satan’s advances and refused to strike out for independence from God’s rule! Still, Jehovah’s decision to allow humans to rule themselves for a time has had benefits. It has deeply impressed on righthearted individuals the wisdom of listening to God and of trusting in him. Over the centuries, humans have experimented with numerous kinds of governments, but not one of them has proved to be ideal. That fact has served to strengthen worshippers of God in their conviction that Jehovah’s way of governing is indeed best. Granted, Jehovah’s permission of Satan’s wicked rulership has resulted in hardships for mankind, including for those who faithfully worship God. Still, the temporary permission of wickedness has also resulted in benefits for these faithful worshippers.

A Rebellion That Has Served to Glorify Jehovah

9, 10. Explain how Satan’s rule results in Jehovah’s glory.

⁹ Allowing humans to be influenced by Satan and to rule themselves has in no way discredited Jehovah’s way of governing. On the contrary! History proves that Jeremiah’s statement, uttered under inspiration, about the inability of humans to govern themselves is correct. (Read Jeremiah 10:23.) In addition, Satan’s rebellion has given Jehovah an opportunity to demonstrate His fine qualities in a more pronounced way. How so?

¹⁰ Against the backdrop of Satan’s disastrous rule, Jehovah’s perfect qualities are even more obvious than they otherwise might have been. In this way, he has been magnified in the eyes of those who love him. Yes, paradoxical as it may sound, Satan’s way of governing has in reality served to glorify God. It has highlighted the superlative way in which Jehovah has dealt with this challenge to his sovereignty. To illustrate that truth, let us briefly consider some of Jehovah’s qualities and see how Satan’s wicked rule has moved Jehovah to show these qualities in additional ways.

11. How has Jehovah’s love been manifested?

¹¹ Love. The Scriptures tell us that “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) The creation of humans was, in the first place, an expression of God’s love. Furthermore, the fear-inspiring and wonderful way in which we are made bears witness to God’s love. Jehovah also lovingly provided humans with a beautiful home containing everything necessary for their happiness. (Gen. 1:29-31; 2:8, 9; Ps. 139:14-16) But once wickedness was introduced into the human family, Jehovah expressed his love in new ways. How? The apostle John quotes Jesus as saying: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Could God have shown his love for mankind in a more remarkable way than by sending his only-begotten Son to earth in order to ransom sinners? (John 15:13) This great demonstration of love also served as a pattern for humans, giving them the opportunity to reflect God’s self-sacrificing love in everyday life, even as Jesus did.—John 17:25, 26.

12. In what way is Jehovah’s power demonstrated?

¹² Power. Only “God, the Almighty,” has the power to create life. (Rev. 11:17; Ps. 36:9) At birth, a human starts out like a blank sheet of paper, as it were. At death, he has filled that blank sheet with the decisions, actions, and experiences of a lifetime that shaped his individuality and personality. That information can be filed away in Jehovah’s memory. In due time, Jehovah can restore the individual to life again, complete with his unique life pattern. (John 5:28, 29) Thus, although not God’s original purpose for humans, death has given Jehovah the opportunity to show that his power reaches even beyond the grave. Indeed, Jehovah is “God, the Almighty.”

13. How was Jesus’ sacrifice a demonstration of Jehovah’s perfect justice?

¹³ Justice. Jehovah does not lie; neither does he act unjustly. (Deut. 32:4; Titus 1:2) He always holds to the highest standards of truth and of justice, even when doing so appears to be to his own disadvantage. (Rom. 8:32) How painful it must have been for Jehovah to see his beloved Son die on a torture stake as if Jesus were an unfaithful blasphemer! Yet, out of love for imperfect humans, Jehovah was willing to permit this painful event to take place in order to uphold his own perfect standard of justice. (Read Romans 5:18-21.) A world full of injustice gave Jehovah the opportunity of demonstrating himself to be the pinnacle of justice.

14, 15. What are some of the ways that Jehovah’s superlative wisdom and patience have been manifested?

¹⁴ Wisdom. Immediately after Adam and Eve sinned, Jehovah revealed the way that he would undo all the bad effects caused by their rebellion. (Gen. 3:15) Such immediate action, as well as his progressively revealing details of this purpose to his servants, brought Jehovah’s wisdom into sharp focus. (Rom. 11:33) Nothing can impede God’s ability to handle matters successfully. In a world marked by immorality, war, unreasonableness, disobedience, mercilessness, partiality, and hypocrisy, Jehovah has had ample opportunity to demonstrate to his creatures what real wisdom is. The disciple James said: “The wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then peaceable, reasonable, ready to obey, full of mercy and good fruits, not making partial distinctions, not hypocritical.”—Jas. 3:17.

¹⁵ Patience and Long-Suffering. Jehovah’s qualities of patience and long-suffering would scarcely have come so prominently to the fore had it not become necessary for him to deal with human imperfections, sins, and shortcomings. Jehovah’s willingness to do so for thousands of years demonstrates that he possesses these marvelous qualities to a perfect degree, and for that we should be most grateful. The apostle Peter rightly stated that we should “consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.”—2 Pet. 3:9, 15.

16. Why is Jehovah’s willingness to forgive a cause for great joy?

¹⁶ Willingness to Forgive. We are all sinners, and we all stumble many times. (Jas. 3:2; 1 John 1:8, 9) How grateful we should be that Jehovah is willing to forgive “in a large way”! (Isa. 55:7) Consider also this fact: Having been born as imperfect sinners, we are in a position to experience the profound joy we feel when God forgives us our errors. (Ps. 51:5, 9, 17) Personally experiencing that heartwarming characteristic of Jehovah strengthens our love for him and encourages us to follow his example in our dealings with others.—Read Colossians 3:13.

Why the World Is Sick

17, 18. In what ways has Satan’s way of ruling failed?

¹⁷ Satan’s entire world system—a product of his way of governing—has repeatedly and consistently failed over the centuries. In 1991, the newspaper The European noted: “Is the world sick? Yes, indeed, but . . . not by [an] act of God—the world’s illness was inflicted by its peoples.” How true! Influenced by Satan, our first parents chose human rule over rule by Jehovah. They thereby set in motion a way of governing that was bound to fail. The pain and misery experienced by people worldwide are signs that human rule is afflicted by a dreadful illness.

¹⁸ Satan’s way of governing appeals to selfishness. However, selfishness can never conquer love, which is the basis of Jehovah’s way of governing. Satan’s way of governing has failed to deliver stability, happiness, or security. Jehovah’s way of ruling stands vindicated! Do we have modern-day evidence of that? Yes, as we will see in the next article.

What Did We Learn About Rulership From Reading . . .

• Romans 13:1, 2?

• Proverbs 21:30?

• Jeremiah 10:23?

• Colossians 3:13?

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Satan’s rule has never benefited mankind

[Credit Lines]

U.S. Army photo

WHO photo by P. Almasy

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Jehovah’s power reaches even beyond the grave

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Jehovah’s love and justice were manifested in the sacrifice of his Son

Jehovah’s Way of Ruling Vindicated!

pp. 28–32

Jehovah’s Way of Ruling Vindicated!

“The Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.”—DAN. 4:17.

1, 2. What are some reasons why human rule has failed?

HUMAN rule has failed! Of that there is no doubt. A major reason for that failure is that humans lack the wisdom to rule successfully. The failure of man’s rule is especially evident today when so many rulers have shown themselves to be ‘lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, disloyal, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, and puffed up with pride.’—2 Tim. 3:2-4.

² Long ago, our first parents rejected God’s way of ruling. In doing so, they may have thought that they were choosing independence. In reality, though, they were submitting to Satan’s way of ruling. Six millenniums of human mismanagement—powerfully influenced by “the ruler of this world,” Satan—have brought us to the current low point in human history. (John 12:31) Commenting on the state of mankind today, The Oxford History of the Twentieth Century states that it is useless “looking for a perfect world.” It explains: “Not only can it not be found, but the attempt to create it leads to disaster, totalitarianism, and war at its worst.” What a frank admission that human rule is a failure!

3. What can we say about the way God would have ruled if Adam and Eve had not sinned?

³ How tragic, then, that our first parents rejected the only kind of rule that does work—rule by God! Of course, we do not know precisely how Jehovah would have structured his way of governing the earth if Adam and Eve had remained faithful to him. However, we can be certain that divine rulership accepted by all mankind would have been marked by love and impartiality. (Acts 10:34; 1 John 4:8) In view of God’s matchless wisdom, we can also be sure that if mankind had remained under Jehovah’s rule, all the mistakes made by proponents of human rule would have been avoided. God-rule, theocracy, would have been successful in “satisfying the desire of every living thing.” (Ps. 145:16) In short, it would have been a perfect rulership. (Deut. 32:4) How tragic that humans rejected it!

4. To what extent has Satan been permitted to govern?

⁴ Still, it is good to remember that even though Jehovah permitted humans to exercise self-rule, he at no time relinquished his right to rule over his creatures. Even the powerful king of Babylon was forced to realize that ultimately “the Most High is Ruler in the kingdom of mankind.” (Dan. 4:17) In the long run, God’s Kingdom will cause his will to be done. (Matt. 6:10) True, in the short term, Jehovah has allowed Satan to act as “the god of this system of things” in order to provide a convincing answer to the issues that were raised by that opposer. (2 Cor. 4:4; 1 John 5:19) Nevertheless, Satan has never been able to go beyond what Jehovah permits. (2 Chron. 20:6; compare Job 1:11, 12; 2:3-6.) And there have always been some individuals who chose to subject themselves to God, even though they were living in a world ruled by God’s great Adversary.

God’s Rulership Over Israel

5. What commitment did Israel make to God?

⁵ From the time of Abel up to the time of the patriarchs, a number of faithful individuals worshipped Jehovah and obeyed his commands. (Heb. 11:4-22) In Moses’ day, Jehovah entered into a covenant with the offspring of the patriarch Jacob, and these became the nation of Israel. In 1513 B.C.E., the Israelites committed themselves and their descendants to accept Jehovah as Ruler, saying: “All that Jehovah has spoken we are willing to do.”—Ex. 19:8.

6, 7. How was God’s rule of Israel characterized?

⁶ Jehovah had a purpose in choosing the Israelites to be his people. (Read Deuteronomy 7:7, 8.) This choice involved more than just the welfare of the Israelites. God’s name and sovereignty were also involved, and they were of greater significance. Israel was to serve as a witness to the fact that Jehovah is the only true God. (Isa. 43:10; 44:6-8) Hence, Jehovah said to that nation: “You are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah has chosen you to become his people, a special property, out of all the peoples who are on the surface of the ground.”—Deut. 14:2.

⁷ God’s way of governing the Israelites took into account that they were imperfect. At the same time, his laws were perfect and reflected the qualities of their Giver. Jehovah’s commandments given through Moses clearly highlighted God’s holiness, his love of justice, his willingness to forgive, and his patience. Later, in the day of Joshua and his generation, the nation obeyed Jehovah’s commandments and enjoyed peace and spiritual blessings. (Josh. 24:21, 22, 31) That period of Israel’s history demonstrated the success of Jehovah’s way of ruling.

Human Rulership Comes at a Price

8, 9. What unwise request did Israel make, and with what results?

⁸ Over time, though, the Israelites frequently turned away from God’s rule and suffered the loss of his protection. Eventually, through the prophet Samuel, Israel demanded a visible, human king. Jehovah told Samuel to grant their request. However, Jehovah added: “It is not you whom they have rejected, but it is I whom they have rejected from being king over them.” (1 Sam. 8:7) Although Jehovah permitted Israel to have a visible king, he warned them that rule by a human king would come at a price.—Read 1 Samuel 8:9-18.

⁹ History demonstrated the truth of Jehovah’s warning. Being ruled by a human king led to serious problems for Israel, especially when that king proved unfaithful. With that example of Israel in mind, it is not surprising that throughout the ages, government in the hands of humans who do not know Jehovah has failed to bring permanent good results. True, some politicians invoke God’s blessing on their efforts to achieve peace and security, but how can God bless those who do not submit to his way of ruling?—Ps. 2:10-12.

A New Nation Under God’s Rule

10. Why was Israel replaced as God’s chosen nation?

¹⁰ The nation of Israel proved unwilling to serve Jehovah faithfully. Eventually, they rejected God’s appointed Messiah, and Jehovah rejected them and purposed to replace them with a group of people who formed a new nation. As a consequence, the year 33 C.E. saw the birth of the Christian congregation of anointed worshippers of Jehovah. That congregation was, in effect, a new nation under Jehovah’s governing authority. Paul spoke of it as “the Israel of God.”—Gal. 6:16.

11, 12. What similarities as to oversight are there between Israel and “the Israel of God”?

¹¹ Between the original nation of Israel and the new “Israel of God” there are both differences and similarities. Unlike ancient Israel, the Christian congregation has no human king and it has no need for offering animal sacrifices in behalf of sinners. One similarity between the nation of Israel and the Christian congregation is the arrangement of older men, or elders. (Ex. 19:3-8) Such Christian elders do not rule over the flock. Rather, they shepherd the congregation and unstintingly take the lead in Christian activities. They deal lovingly with each individual in the congregation, according honor and dignity to all.—2 Cor. 1:24; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

¹² By meditating on God’s dealings with Israel, members of “the Israel of God” and their “other sheep” companions develop greater appreciation for Jehovah and his way of governing. (John 10:16) For example, history shows that the human rulers of Israel greatly influenced their subjects, either for good or for bad. That fact impresses upon those taking the lead among Christians that, although they are not rulers like those ancient kings, they must always set a good example of faith.—Heb. 13:7.

How Jehovah Rules Today

13. What important milestone was reached in 1914?

¹³ Christians today proclaim to the world that human rule over mankind is nearing its end. In 1914, Jehovah established his Kingdom in the heavens under his appointed King, Jesus Christ. At that time, he granted Jesus authority to go forth “conquering and to complete his conquest.” (Rev. 6:2) The newly enthroned King was told: “Go subduing in the midst of your enemies.” (Ps. 110:2) Sadly, the nations have consistently refused to submit to Jehovah’s rule. They have continued to act as if “there is no Jehovah.”—Ps. 14:1.

14, 15. (a) How are we ruled by God’s Kingdom today, and in view of this, what questions should we ask ourselves? (b) How is the superiority of God’s rule seen even today?

¹⁴ A few anointed members of “the Israel of God” still remain, and as Jesus’ brothers, they continue to act as “ambassadors substituting for Christ.” (2 Cor. 5:20) They have been appointed as a faithful and discreet slave class to care for and provide spiritual food for anointed ones and a growing crowd of Christians, who now include millions having the hope of living on earth forever. (Matt. 24:45-47; Rev. 7:9-15) Jehovah’s blessing on that arrangement is evident in the spiritual prosperity enjoyed by true worshippers today.

¹⁵ Each of us would do well to ask himself: ‘Do I fully recognize the responsibilities that I should shoulder within the Christian congregation? Am I properly supporting Jehovah’s way of governing? Am I proud to be a subject of Jehovah’s ruling Kingdom? Am I determined to continue telling others about God’s Kingdom to the extent that I reasonably can?’ As a group, we willingly submit ourselves to the direction given by the Governing Body and cooperate with the appointed elders in the congregations. In such ways, we demonstrate our acceptance of God’s way of ruling. (Read Hebrews 13:17.) Willing submission results in a worldwide unity that is unique in this divided world. It also produces peace and righteousness and brings glory to Jehovah, demonstrating that his way of ruling is by far the best.

Jehovah’s Rule Triumphant

16. What decision faces everyone today?

¹⁶ The time is fast approaching when the issues raised in Eden will be resolved. Hence, now is the time for people to make a decision. Each individual must decide whether he will accept Jehovah’s way of governing or he will cling to human rule. It is our privilege to help meek ones to make the right decision. Soon, at Armageddon, Jehovah’s way of governing will permanently replace human-based governments under Satan’s influence. (Dan. 2:44; Rev. 16:16) Human rule will end, and God’s Kingdom will hold sway over the entire earth. In the fullest sense of the word, Jehovah’s way of governing will stand vindicated.—Read Revelation 21:3-5.

17. What facts help meek individuals to make a good decision regarding rulership?

¹⁷ Those who have not as yet made a definite decision in favor of Jehovah should prayerfully consider the benefits that God’s way of ruling will bring to mankind. Human rule has been unable to solve the problem of crime, including terrorism. God’s rule will remove all the wicked from the earthly scene. (Ps. 37:1, 2, 9) Man’s rule has led to incessant warfare, but God’s rule will make “wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.” (Ps. 46:9) Why, God’s rule will even restore peace between humans and animals! (Isa. 11:6-9) Poverty and hunger have been constant features under human rule, but God’s rule will eliminate them. (Isa. 65:21) Even human rulers having the best of intentions have been unable to remove sickness and death, but under God’s rule, the old and the sick will delight in a return to youthful vigor. (Job 33:25; Isa. 35:5, 6) Indeed, the earth will become a paradise in which there will even be a resurrection of the dead.—Luke 23:43; Acts 24:15.

18. How can we demonstrate that we believe that God’s way of ruling is best?

¹⁸ Yes, God’s rule will undo all the harm that Satan caused when he influenced our first parents to turn away from their Creator. And consider, Satan has been causing harm for some 6,000 years, but God, through Christ, will undo all that harm within 1,000 years! What a crowning proof of the superiority of God’s way of governing! As Witnesses for our God, we accept him as our Ruler. Hence, let us demonstrate each day, indeed each hour, of our lives that we are worshippers of Jehovah, subjects of his Kingdom, and proud to be his Witnesses. And let us use every opportunity to tell whoever will listen that Jehovah’s way of ruling is the very best.

As Regards God’s Rulership, What Did We Learn From Reading . . .

• Deuteronomy 7:7, 8?

• 1 Samuel 8:9-18?

• Hebrews 13:17?

• Revelation 21:3-5?

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Jehovah has always maintained his rulership

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Willing submission to Jehovah’s way of governing results in worldwide unity