Comments You Will Not Hear at the 11-12-06 WT Study (October 1, 2006, pages 21-25)(COURAGE/LOVE)
Review comments will be in red
WT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible (various Bible translations online)
www.reexamine.org (WT publications online)
www.silentlambs.org (child abuse)
www.ajwrb.org (blood issue)
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm (United Nations issue)
COURAGE STRENGTHENED BY LOVE
"God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind.'-2 TIMOTHY 1:7.
OPENING COMMENTS
This is the second article of a serious of 3 on courage. It starts with an extreme example of courage in paragraph one. How can you expect a fellow JW to do the same when they don’t call if you miss a meeting, help you out when you are sick, and ignore you totally if you have missed meetings for 6 months? How many JWs say they would DIE for another member but won’t LIVE for them?
Also, Jesus died for all mankind, not just his followers. Will JWs die for non-JWs?
START OF ARTICLE
Q1, 2) (a) What can love impel a person to do? (b) Why was Jesus' courage exceptional?
1) A newly married couple were scuba diving near a town on the east coast of Australia. They were about to surface when a great white shark rushed at the woman. In a heroic act, the man pushed his wife aside and let the shark take him. "He gave his own life for me," said the widow at the funeral service.
How many JWs do you know that would let a great white shark eat them instead of you?
How many JWs would sacrifice a little time to help you move, drive out of their way to pick you up for a meeting, give you $100 to repair your car so you can get to your job?
2) Yes, love can impel humans to show outstanding courage. Jesus Christ himself stated: "No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends." (John 15:13) Less than 24 hours after Jesus said these words, he gave his own life, not for just one person, but for mankind. (Matthew 20:28) Moreover, Jesus did not offer up his life in a spur-of-the-moment act of bravery. He knew in advance that he would be ridiculed and abused, unjustly sentenced, and put to death on a torture stake. He even prepared his disciples for this outcome, saying: "Here we are, advancing up to Jerusalem, and the Son of man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and will deliver him to men of the nations, and they will make fun of him and will spit upon him and scourge him and kill him."-Mark 10:33, 34.
Surrender his soul in behalf of his friends
Who are Christ’s friends? Did he just give up his life for his followers or for all humankind?
Not…spur-of-the-moment act of bravery…knew in advance
Are JWs really prepared to lose their lives for their friends but not have a minute to talk them at
the KH?(Matthew 5:44-47) 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing?
Q3) What contributed to Jesus' great courage?
3) What contributed to Jesus' extraordinary courage? Faith and godly fear played a major role. (Hebrews 5:7; 12:2) Above all, however, Jesus' courage stemmed from his love, both for God and for his fellow humans. (1 John 3:16) If we cultivate such love in addition to faith and godly fear, we too will be able to display Christlike courage. (Ephesians 5:2) How can we develop such love? We need to recognize its Source.
Faith (in the WTS)
Godly fear (as defined by the WTS)
His fellow humans
— all of them not just his followers
"Love Is From God"
Q4) Why can it be said that Jehovah is the Source of love?
4) Jehovah is both the personification of love and the Source of it. "Beloved ones," wrote the apostle John, "let us continue loving one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born from God and gains the knowledge of God. He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:7, 8) Godlike love, therefore, can develop in a person only when he draws close to Jehovah through accurate knowledge and acts on that knowledge in heartfelt obedience.-Philippians 1:9; James 4:8; 1 John 5:3.
John also said:
(1 John 4:20-21) 20 If anyone makes the statement: "I love God," and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.21 And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also.
I have seen many cases of deliberate, unloving behavior by the so-called spiritual examples in the WTS over the last 40 years, that I cannot believe they love God.
Is hiding pedophiles in the congregation loving?
Is telling people for 13 years that having an organ transplant was a sin worthy of df’ing and then reversing that decree? How many died believing that decree?
Q5, 6) What helped Jesus' early followers to develop Christlike love?
5) In his final prayer with his 11 faithful apostles, Jesus showed the connection between knowing God and growing in love, saying: "I have made your name known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them." (John 17: 26) Jesus helped his disciples to develop the kind of love that existed between him and his Father, revealing both by word and by example what God's name represents-God's wonderful qualities. Hence, Jesus could say: "He that has seen me has seen the Father also." John 14:9, 10; 17:8.
Revealing both by word and by example
If Jesus was so concerned about making God’s name known, why did he not use it in this prayer? Why did he not use it in the Lord’s prayer? Where did he address God as anything except "Father"?
6) Christlike love is a product of God's holy spirit. (Galatians 5:22) When the early Christians received the promised holy spirit at Pentecost 33 C.E., they not only recalled the many things Jesus had taught them but also grasped more fully the meaning of the Scriptures. This deeper insight evidently built up their love for God. (John 4:26; 15:26) The result? Even at the risk of their own life, they boldly and zealously preached the good news.-Acts 5:28, 29.
Received the promised holy spirit at Pentecost 33 C.E.
The WTS fails to mention that only anointed JWs supposedly receive holy spirit in this same way.
Did the anointed in the WTS from 1879 to the present "grasp(ed) more fully the meaning of the Scriptures"?
Deeper insight
— all the anointed or only the FDS or only the GB?
Courage and Love in Action
Q7) What did Paul and Barnabas have to endure on their missionary tour together?
7) The apostle Paul wrote: "God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Paul was speaking from personal experience. Consider what he and Barnabas went through on their missionary tour together. They preached in a number of cities, including Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. In each city, some people became believers, but others turned out to be hostile opposers. (Acts 13:2, 14, 45, 50; 14:1, 5) In Lystra an enraged mob even stoned Paul, leaving him for dead! "However, when the disciples surrounded him, he rose up and entered into the city. And on the next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe."-Acts 14:6,19, 20.
NT
— Paul and BarnabasStoned Paul, leaving him for dead
Do you think many JWs are expecting they will be stoned and left for dead? Could you depend on the loyalty of people on your KH to die rather than give your name to the authorities? Would they take a whipping for you?
Are these the same people that gossip about you and lie to others to drag your reputation through the mud?
Q8) How did the courage shown by Paul and Barnabas reflect their deep love for people?
8) Did this attempt on Paul's life frighten him and Barnabas into giving up? On the contrary! After "making quite a few disciples" in Derbe, the two men "returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch." Why? In order to encourage the new ones to remain strong in the faith. "We must enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations," said Paul and Barnabas. Clearly, their courage came from their deep love for Christ's "little sheep." (Acts 14:21-23; John 21:15-17) After appointing elders in each of the fledgling congregations, the two brothers offered prayer and "committed them to Jehovah in whom they had become believers."
Paul and Barnabas went back.
The elders don’t have to worry about being beaten up in order to visit those who are discouraged in their congregations. Why do so many JWs then never see them except to ask if they turned in their time?
Q9) In what way did the elders from Ephesus respond to Paul's love for them?
9) Paul was such a caring and courageous person that many early Christians grew to love him deeply. Recall what took place at a meeting that Paul held with the elders from Ephesus, where he had spent three years and experienced much opposition. (Acts 20:1731) After encouraging them to shepherd the flock of God entrusted to them, Paul kneeled down with them and prayed. Then, "quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they fell upon Paul's neck and tenderly kissed him, because they were especially pained at the word he had spoken that they were going to behold his face no more." What love these brothers had for Paul! Indeed, when the time came to part, Paul and his traveling companions had to `tear themselves away,' so reluctant were the local elders to let them go.-Acts 20:36-21:1.
When has an elder sincerely prayed with you? Not one of those stale prayers you hear at every meeting, but one that acknowledges they know your name, know your circumstances, and know your pain?
When was the last time an elder could not tear himself away, or just a rank and file JW?
Q10) How have Jehovah's modern-day Witnesses displayed courageous love for one another?
10) Today, traveling overseers, congregation elders, and many others are deeply loved because of the courage they show in behalf of Jehovah's sheep. For example, in countries racked by civil war or where the preaching work is banned, traveling overseers and their wives have risked their life and freedom in order to visit congregations. Likewise, many Witnesses have suffered at the hands of hostile rulers and their minions because of not betraying their fellow Witnesses nor revealing from where they obtained spiritual food. Thousands of others have been persecuted, tortured, and even killed because they would not stop preaching the good news or cease associating with fellow believers at Christian meetings. (Acts 5:28, 29; Hebrews 10:24, 25) May we imitate the faith and love of such courageous brothers and sisters!-1 Thessalonians 1:6.
Some COs and elders care, but not enough. Sheep are battered and tired; but instead the elders focus on talks, meetings, and "privileges." Visiting the sheep is not a privilege for a punishment for the new and disobedient elders.
I wonder how many JWs are going d2d in Muslim countries where it is just as against the law as it was in Communist countries? Are they afraid of being "persecuted, tortured, and even killed because they would not stop preaching the good news"?
Imitate…such courageous brothers and sisters
I know JWs who will not go in economically deficient neighborhoods or ones where most of the people are darker than they are, don’t you know that there is more crime there?
Do Not Let Your Love Cool Off
Q11) In what ways does Satan wage spiritual warfare against Jehovah's servants, calling for what on their part?
11) When Satan was cast down to the earth, he was intent on venting his anger on Jehovah's servants because they "observe the commandments of God and [bear] witness to Jesus." (Revelation 12:9,17) One of the Devil's tactics is persecution. Often, however, this strategy backfires because it draws God's people even closer together in the bonds of Christian love and moves many of them to greater zeal. Another tactic of Satan is to appeal to sinful human inclinations. Resisting this ploy calls for courage in a different way because the fight is an internal one, against improper desires within our own `treacherous and desperate' heart. Jeremiah 17:9; James 1:14, 15.
Devil’s tactics is persecution
Draw’s God’s people even closer together….greater zeal
Currently we have an example of this, the WTS trying to draw persecution with a tract entitled, The End of False Religion is Near. Hoping that this will make JWs have greater zeal. I don’t think it is working, but if it is, it won’t last when the end doesn’t come in the next year.
Q12) How does Satan use "the spirit of the world" in his attempt to weaken our love for God?
12) In Satan's arsenal is another powerful weapon-"the spirit of the world," that is, its dominant inclination or motivation, which is in direct opposition to God's holy spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:12) The spirit of the world promotes greed and materialism-"the desire of the eyes." (1 John 2:16; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10) Even though material things and money are not harmful in themselves, if our love for them supplants our love for God, then Satan has gained a victory. The power, or "authority," of the world's spirit lies in its appeal to the sinful flesh, its subtlety, its relentlessness and, like air, its pervasiveness. Do not let the spirit of the world infect your heart!-Ephesians 2:2, 3; Proverbs 4:23.
[Picture on page 22] Paul's love for people gave him the courage to persevere
spirit of the world…greed and materialism…money…sinful flesh…infect your heart
Give all your money to the WTS and it won’t be a snare…right.
Sinful flesh…online pornography, evidently an epidemic among JW men and rendering them useless as MS and elders.
Q13) How may our moral courage be put to the test?
13) To resist and repudiate the evil spirit of the world, however, takes moral courage. For example, it takes courage to get up and walk out of a theater or to turn off the computer or the TV when indecent images appear. It calls for courage to stand up against negative peer pressure and to cut off bad associations. Likewise, it requires courage to uphold God's laws and principles in the face of ridicule, whether from schoolmates, workmates, neighbors, or relatives.-1 Corinthians 15: 33; 1 John 5:19.
Get up and walk out of a theater
Does that mean only R-rated movies (unofficially elder bodies were told by some COs that they could risk removal as an elder if found going to R movies
)Turn off the computer or the TV when indecent images appear
What is indecent? Any swear word, the intimation that some of the characters are having sex with someone other than their spouse (no more Desperate Housewives), no more Medium, Lost, CSI, Law and Order, that even the Teletubbies?
[Picture on page 24] It takes courage to uphold God's standards
[Picture on page 24] Namangolwa Sututu
Q14) What should we do if we are infected by the spirit of the world?
14) How important it is, then, that we strengthen our love for God and for our spiritual brothers and sisters! Take time to examine your goals and way of life to see whether the world's spirit has infected you in any way. If it has -even slightly-then pray to Jehovah for the courage to root it out and keep it out. Jehovah will not ignore such sincere petitions. (Psalm 51:17) Moreover, his spirit is far more powerful than that of the world. -1 John 4:4.
How do JWs "strengthen" their "love…for" their "spiritual brothers and sisters"?
Gossip about them behind their back
Avoid talking to them at the meetings
Maneuver it so you never go in the same car group in field service
Never invite them to your home
Refuse their invitations to their home
Do you think they go home and pray to God for the courage to root these behaviors out?
Facing Personal Trials With Courage
Q15, 16) How can Christlike love help us to cope with personal trials? Give an example.
15) Other challenges that Jehovah's servants have to contend with include the effects of imperfection and old age, often resulting in disease, disability, depression, and many
other problems. (Romans 8:22) Christlike love can help us cope with these trials. Consider the example of Namangolwa, who was raised in a Christian family in Zambia. When she was two years old, Namangolwa became disabled. "I was self-conscious," she says, "thinking that people would be appalled by my appearance. But my spiritual brothers helped me to view things differently. As a result, I overcame my self-consciousness, and in time I was baptized."
Jehovah’s servants
— only JWsDisease, disability, depression
Disabled woman…worried others would be appalled by her appearance…wheelchair
Over the years, several people in wheelchairs have attended the meetings…only a few ever talked to them. Two stopped coming because of the lack of friendliness. Another dwindled in attendance when she realized that few talked to her after her baptism.
16) Although Namangolwa owns a wheelchair, she often has to walk on her hands and knees when on a sandy dirt road. Yet, she shares in the ministry as an auxiliary pioneer at least two months each year. One householder wept when Namangolwa witnessed to her. Why? Because she was deeply moved by our sister's faith and courage. As evidence of Jehovah's rich blessing, five of Namangolwa's Bible students have been baptized, and one serves as a congregation elder. "My legs often ache terribly," she says, "but I do not let that stop me." This sister is just one of many Witnesses worldwide who are frail in body but mighty in spirit because of their love for God and neighbor. How desirable all such ones are in Jehovah's eyes! -Haggai 2:7.
She often has to walk on her hands and knees when on a sandy dirt road
So how many wheelchair people have you seen walking on their hands and knees in your area?
This is just a guilt-shame story. After all if "she" can auxiliary pioneer 2 months a year…have at least 5 bible studies…WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE!
"My legs often ache terribly" And what about your legs? How much time are you getting in every month? 50 hours like this woman, walking on her hands and kness on a sandy dirt word?
Shame on you!
Q17, 18) What helps many to endure sickness and other trials? Give some local examples.
17) Chronic illness can also be discouraging, even depressing. "In the book study group I attend," says a congregation elder, "one sister suffers from diabetes and kidney failure, one has cancer, two have severe arthritis, and one has both lupus and fibromyalgia. Sometimes they feel down. Yet, they miss meetings only when they are very ill or in the hospital. All are regular in the field service. They remind me of Paul, who said: `When I am weak, then I am powerful.' I admire their love and their courage. Perhaps their situation gives them a clearer focus on life and on what really matters."-2 Corinthians 12:10.
Chronic illness…diabetes, kidney failure, cancer, severe arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia (all women)
They miss meetings only when they are VERY ILL or in the HOSPITAL.
All are regular
(does that mean 1 hour/month or are the 15 minute/month publishers)Who judges that they are "very ill"? The elders, the "mature ones" in the congregation?
18) If you battle with infirmity, sickness, or some other problem, "pray incessantly" for help so that you do not become a victim of discouragement. (1 Thessalonians 5:14, 17) Of course, you are likely to have emotional ups and downs, but try to focus on positive, spiritual things, especially our precious Kingdom hope. "For me, the field ministry is therapy," said one sister. Sharing the good news with others helps her to maintain a positive outlook.
Pray incessantly for help—pray by yourself
Emotional ups and downs…focus on the positive….Kingdom hope
(everlasting life on a Paradise earth)FOR ME, THE FIELD MINISTRY IS THERAPY
I guess all those JWs on medications should toss them in the trash at the KH before they go home!
Love Helps Wrongdoers Return to Jehovah
Q19, 20) (a) What may help those who have fallen into sin to muster up the courage to return to Jehovah? (b) What will be considered in the following article?
19) Many who have grown weak spiritually or who have been overtaken by sin do not find it easy to return to Jehovah. But the needed courage will come if such ones truly repent and rekindle their love for God. Consider Mario,* (Footnote: * The name has been changed.) who lives in the United States. Mario left the Christian congregation, became an alcoholic and a drug addict and, after 20 years, landed in prison. "I began to think deeply about my future and to read the Bible again," says Mario. "In time, I came to appreciate Jehovah's qualities, especially his mercy, for which I often prayed. After I was released from prison, I avoided my old associates, went to Christian meetings, and was eventually reinstated. In my body, I am reaping what I sowed, but now I at least have a wonderful hope. I cannot thank Jehovah enough for his compassion and forgiveness." -Psalm 103:9-13; 130:3, 4; Galatians 6:7, 8.
Many who have grown weak spiritually
— TRANSLATION: if you don’t go to meetings you have to be weak spirituallyHave been overtaken by sin
— this is why elders ask what sin you have committed if you are not coming to the meetingsReturn to Jehovah
— If you don’t go to the KH have you left God…is God found only between the walls of the KH building?Rekindle their love for God
— If you don’t go to the KH does that mean you don’t love God?Eventually reinstated
— how many years? Was it only 8 months that was required for a pedophile brother?Thank Jehovah…for his…forgiveness
— isn’t it the elders that determine repentance and forgive?20) To be sure, those in situations similar to Mario's have to work hard to return to Jehovah. But their rekindled love-a result of Bible study, prayer, and meditation-will give them the needed courage and resolve. Mario was also strengthened by the Kingdom hope. Yes, along with love, faith, and godly fear, hope can be a powerful force for good in our life. In the following article, we will take a closer look at this precious spiritual gift.
Have to work hard to return to Jehovah
How long did Peter have to work hard to return after denying Christ three times?
How long did Paul have to work hard to return after persecuting and killing Christians?
How long did the man in the Corinthian congregation have to work hard to return?
How long did David have to work hard to return after committing murder and adultery?
Can You Answer?
- How did love contribute to Jesus' outstanding courage?
- How did love for the brothers give Paul and Barnabas exceptional courage?
- By what means does Satan try to erode Christian love?
- Love for Jehovah can give us the courage to endure what trials?
Concluding Comments
I always wondered why JWs could be so dumb not to read the reviews that are abundant on the internet and in newspapers that they would pick a movie that they would have to leave.
Do you trust the people at your KH with your life? Are they faithful in what is least, demonstrating that they would be faithful in what is much?
If there are few that you feel that way about, why not all or almost all?
I would like to say that next week will have a bigger punch, but it is mostly another jab at materialism and "soon, starting with the destruction of false religion, Satan’s world will experience a tribulation such as it has never experienced before."
Yes, JWs are hoping for that day when all 6.5 billion non-JWs will die forever, men, women and children.
On a different note, we had snow today, winter is here, for today anyway. It will be gone tomorrow…but it will be back.
The United Way campaign is in swing right now. Do you donate at work? Hubbie and I do. We sit down and pick out the programs we want to support. We have been doing this even when we were die-hard JWs. Tax time is coming soon.
Pumpkin bars, first of the season. Do you have a fall favorite?
Love, Blondie