Comments You Will Not Hear at the 01-14-07 WT Study (December 1, 2006, pages 25-29)(LOVE NEIGHBOR)
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)
WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR
"You must love your neighbor as yourself "-MATTHEW 22:39.
Opening Comments
Who is my neighbor? If you changed the identities of the people in Jesus’ parable to reflect the WT community:
Priest—JW elder
Levite—JW ministerial servant
Man attacked—rank and file JW
Samaritan—all non-JWs
The elder and the MS saw the man needed practical help yet they went by on the other side of the road. Now remember this man was another JW.
The elder was saying to himself, "that man should not have been on this road. It is his fault he was attacked. If he had been out in field service and going to all the meetings this would not have happened. I have to work on my talk for Sunday. Someone else will come along and help him."
The MS was saying to himself, "I have many serious responsibilities serving in the KH (holy place) and assisting the elders (priests). I don’t have time to get involved in this man’s problems. If he had been at the KH (synagogue), this would not have happened."
The non-JW sees the man and recognizes that he is a JW, the ones that are always telling him that only JWs have God’s blessing. Looking at him now, it doesn’t seem that God has blessed him. But he remembers that God works through people on earth and proceeds to help him.
START OF ARTICLE
Q1) How do we show that we love God?
1) What does Jehovah require of those who worship him? In a few simple and profound words, Jesus summarized the answer. The greatest commandment, he said, is to love Jehovah with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30) As we have seen in the preceding article, love of God involves obeying him and keeping his commandments in response to the love he has shown us. For those who love God, doing his will is not a burden; it brings them delight.-Psalm 40:8; 1 John 5:2, 3.
Once again it comes to mind, when Jesus gave his answer, he was talking to a Jew whose religious life revolved around over 600 laws or commandments. Does love of God come naturally based on our relationship with him or must it be commanded?
Are God’s commandments found in the Bible by our personal reading of it or do we have to have the WTS explain them to us?
*** w87 7/15 p. 19 Prayers Require Works ***
Because Jehovah God does not give his holy spirit apart from his Word, and we cannot hope to receive holy spirit if we ignore the earthly channel Jehovah is using today, "the faithful and discreet slave," represented by the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Without help from this "slave," we would neither be able to understand the full import of what we read nor know how to apply what we learn.—Matthew 24:45-47.
And as I asked last week, can a person love God apart from the WTS?
Q2, 3) Why should we give attention to the commandment to love our neighbor, and what questions arise?
2) The second greatest commandment, Jesus said, is linked to the first: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39) It is to this commandment that we now give attention, and for good reason. The times in which we live are marked by a selfish, distorted form of love. In his inspired description of "the last days," the apostle Paul wrote that people would love, not one another, but themselves, money, and pleasures. Many would have "no natural affection," or as one Bible translation puts it, they would "lack normal affection for their families." (2 Timothy 3:1-4) Jesus Christ foretold: "Many... will betray one another and will hate one another.... The love of the greater number will cool off."-Matthew 24:10,12.
The WTS many times says that the vast majority of people are selfish, distorted, lovers of money and pleasures, have no natural affection for family, betray one another and hate another and that the only people not like this are JWs. Can you think of non-JW family, neighbors, workmates that are kind, helpful, love their families, donate to charities of their time and money, etc.? I can.
BTW, while some individual JWs might apply Matthew 24:12 to the WTS, the WTS never does that in print and has a Question for Readers on it (see end of review).
3) Notice, however, that Jesus did not say that the love of everyone would cool off.
There have always been and will always be those who display the sort of love that Jehovah both requires and deserves. Those who truly love Jehovah will strive to view others as he does. Who, though, is our neighbor whom we must love? How should we show love toward our neighbor? The Scriptures can help us to answer these important questions.
So who was displaying the sort of love that God requires between 100 C.E. and 1879 C.E.?
***
kachap.17p.344par.29The"Slave"WhoLivedtoSeethe"Sign"***As to just how the "faithful and discreet slave" class existed and served down through the centuries after the death of the apostles of the Master Jesus Christ, we do not have a distinct historical picture.Apparently one generation of the "slave" class fed the next succeeding generation thereof. (2 Timothy 2:2)
Who Is My Neighbor?
Q4) According to Leviticus chapter 19, to whom were the Jews to show love?
4) When telling the Pharisee that the second greatest commandment was to love one's neighbor as oneself, Jesus was referring to a specific law given to Israel. It is recorded at Leviticus 19:18. In that same chapter, the Jews were told that they should view others besides fellow Israelites as their neighbors. Verse 34 states: "The alien resident who resides as an alien with you should become to you like a native of yours; and you must love him as yourself, for you became alien residents in the land of Egypt." Thus, even nonJews, especially the proselytes, were to be treated with love.
What were the requirements of an alien resident?
***
it-1p.72AlienResident***When the Bible refers to a person of non-Israelite origin in relation to the Israelite commonwealth, the designation "alien resident" sometimes applies to one of these who had become a proselyte or a full worshiper of Jehovah.At times it refers to a settler in the land of Palestine who was content to live among the Israelites, obeying the fundamental laws of the land but not fully accepting the worship of Jehovah. The context determines to which class the term applies.
The alien resident who had become a circumcised worshiper was bound to one law with the Israelites, that is, to obey all the terms of the Law covenant. (Le 24:22)
What were the requirements of a proselyte?
***
it-2p.699Proselyte***A convert, that is, one who embraced Judaism, getting circumcised, if a male.
In the WTS who represent the alien residents and proselytes?
Would you think that they represent spiritual Israelites? Ask yourself if Gentiles could become spiritual Israelites in the first century, why do alien residents and proselytes represent:
***
w957/1p.17pars.12-14"TheIsraelofGod"andthe"GreatCrowd"***Since a number of these faithful foreigners, or alien residents, are viewed as foreshadowing the great crowd today, their situation is of interest to us.
. (Leviticus 24:22) They offered sacrifices, kept clear of false worship, and abstained from blood, just as the Israelites did. (Leviticus 17:10-14; 20:2) They helped in the construction of Solomon’s temple and joined in the restoration of true worship under King Asa and King Hezekiah. (1 Chronicles 22:2; 2 Chronicles 15:8-14; 30:25) When Peter used the first key of the Kingdom at Pentecost 33 C.E., his words were heard by "Jews and [non-Jewish] proselytes." Possibly, some of the three thousand baptized that day were proselytes. (Acts 2:10, 41) Shortly after, an Ethiopian proselyte was baptized by Philip—before Peter used the final key of the Kingdom with Cornelius and his family. (Matthew 16:19; Acts 8:26-40; 10:30-48) Clearly, proselytes were not viewed as Gentiles.Such ones were proselytes, dedicated worshipers of Jehovah under the Mosaic Law who were separated from the nations along with the Israelites
Nevertheless, the position of proselytes in the land was not like that of native-born Israelites. Proselytes did not serve as priests, and their firstborn were not represented in the Levitical priesthood. And proselytes had no land inheritance in Israel. Still, Israelites were commanded to be considerate of faithful proselytes and to view them as brothers.—Leviticus 19:33, 34.
But then that was true of all Israelite women.
Q5) How did the Jews understand love of neighbor?
5) The Jewish leaders of Jesus' day, however, saw the matter differently. Some taught that the terms "friend" and "neighbor" applied only to Jews.Non Jews were to be hated. Such teachers reasoned that the godly must despise the godless. "In such an atmosphere," says one reference work, "it was impossible for hatred to starve. It had plenty to feed on."
So does the WTS teach its members to view non-JWs as "friends" and "true neighbors"?
*** w91 1/15 p. 27 The Pure Language Unites a Great Crowd of Worshipers ***
Worldly acquaintances are not friends of God, and we cannot socialize with them without harm to ourselves.
Our friends should be Christians who have put on the Christlike personality and are zealous in the preaching work.
***
w938/1p.19par.17LetNoOneSpoilYourUsefulHabits***Some worldly neighbors and relatives may be friendly and helpful, though they have consistently shown neither interest in spiritual things nor love for righteousness.(Mark 10:21, 22; 2 Corinthians 6:14) Our becoming Christians should not mean that we become unfriendly, unneighborly. Jesus counseled us to manifest genuine interest in others. (Luke 10:29-37) But equally inspired and necessary is Paul’s counsel to be careful about our associations. As we apply the former counsel, we must not forget the latter. If we do not keep both principles in mind, our habits can be affected. How do your habits compare with those of your neighbors or relatives as respects honesty or obeying Caesar’s law? For instance, they may feel that at tax time, underreporting income or business profits is justified, even necessary for survival. They might speak persuasively about their views over a casual cup of coffee or during a brief visit. How could that affect your thinking and honest habits? (Mark 12:17; Romans 12:2) "Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits."
Remember when we were taught that only JWs could be real friends and everyone else was to be considered an acquaintance even to the point of correcting your speech if you referred to a non-JW as a friend?
Aren’t non-JWs supposed to be hated?
***
w927/15p.12par.19ChristHatedLawlessness—DoYou?***The obligation to hate lawlessness also applies to all activity by apostates. Our attitude toward apostates should be that of David, who declared: "Do I not hate those who are intensely hating you, O Jehovah, and do I not feel a loathing for those revolting against you? With a complete hatred I do hate them. They have become to me real enemies." (Psalm 139:21, 22)
Q6) What two points did Jesus make when talking about love of neighbor?
6) In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed this issue, shedding light on who should be treated with love. He said: "You heard that it was said, `You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; 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." (Matthew 5:43-45) Here Jesus made two points. First, Jehovah is generous and kind to both the good and the bad. Second, we should follow his example.
First, Jehovah is generous and kind to both the good and the bad. Second, we should follow his example.
God is qualified to judge who is good and who is bad since he can read hearts and minds. Are humans so qualified?
The WTS likes to overlook the rest of the scripture.
(Matthew 5:46-47) 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?
Yet JWs are taught to greet their brothers only to shun those they have judged unworthy of Christian fellowship, the OT equivalent of stoning to death.
So if JWs love only other JWs (and even some of those are judged unworthy although not df’d or da’d), who is their neighbor, only other JWs?
Q7) What lesson do we learn from the parable of the neighborly Samaritan?
7) On another occasion, a Jew well-versed in the Law asked Jesus: "Who really is my neighbor?" Jesus responded by relating a parable that described a Samaritan who came across a man, a Jew, who had been assaulted by robbers and stripped of his possessions. Even though Jews in general despised Samaritans, the Samaritan dressed the man's wounds and brought him to the safety of an inn, where he could recover. The lesson? Our love of neighbor should extend to people other than those of our own race, nationality, or religion.-Luke 10:25, 29, 30, 33-37.
Our love of neighbor should extend to people other than those of our own race, nationality, or religion
Do JWs love those of other religions? What do they consider love? Apply James 2:15,16.
(James 2:15-16) 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: "Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it?
[Picture on page 26] "Who really is my neighbor?"
What It Means to Love Our Neighbor
Q8) What does Leviticus chapter 19 say about how love was to be shown?
8) Love of neighbor, like love of God, is not merely a feeling; it involves action. It is helpful to consider further the context of the command recorded in Leviticus 19 that exhorts God's people to love their neighbor as themselves. There we read that the Israelites were to allow afflicted ones and alien residents to share in the harvest. There was no room for stealing, deceiving, or dealing falsely. In judicial matters the Israelites should show no partiality. Though they were to give reproof when needed, they were specifically told: "You must not hate your brother in your heart." These and many other commands were summed up in the words: "You must love your fellow as yourself."-Leviticus 19:9-11,15,17,18.
Love of neighbor, like love of God, is not merely a feeling; it involves action.
Remember that "alien residents" are just other JWs (other sheep) not non-JWs. So do JWs view non-JWs as their neighbors based on this informaton?
Q9) Why did Jehovah command the Israelites to keep separate from other nations?
9) While the Israelites were to show love to others, they were also to keep separate from those who worshipped false gods. Jehovah warned of the dangers and consequences of bad associations. For example, concerning the nations that the Israelites were to dispossess, Jehovah commanded: "You must form no marriage alliance with them. Your daughter you must not give to his son, and his daughter you must not take for your son. For he will turn your son from following me, and they will certainly serve other gods; and Jehovah's anger will indeed blaze against you." -Deuteronomy 7:3, 4.
While the Israelites were to show love to others, they were also to keep separate from those who worshipped false gods.
So all non-JWs are considered to be worshipping false Gods even if they claim to be Christian.
Compare this scripture with Deuteronomy 7:3,4. Were Israelites commanded not to marry any non-Israelites?
(Deuteronomy 21:10-13) 10 "In case you go out to the battle against your enemies and Jehovah your God has given them into your hand and you have carried them away captive; 11 and you have seen among the captives a woman beautiful in form, and you have got attached to her and taken her for your wife,12 you must then bring her into the midst of your house. She must now shave her head and attend to her nails, 13 and remove the mantle of her captivity from off her and dwell in your house and weep for her father and her mother a whole lunar month; and after that you should have relations with her, and you must take possession of her as your bride, and she must become your wife.
Q10) Against what do we need to be on guard?
10) Similarly, Christians guard against forming relationships with those who might weaken their faith. (1 Corinthians 15:33) We are admonished: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers," those who are no part of the Christian congregation. (2 Corinthians 6:14) Further, Christians are counseled to marry "only in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 7:39) Yet, never should we be disdainful of those who do not share our belief in Jehovah. Christ died for sinners, and many who once practiced vile things changed their ways and became reconciled to God.-Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
In view of Deuteronomy 21:10-13 allowing Israelites to marry non-Israelites, how does that affect how the WTS applies the scriptures above?
Christians guard against forming relationships with those who might weaken their faith. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Christians— only JWs Unbelievers— everyone but JWs Marry "only in the Lord"— only JWs (despite Deut. 21:10-13)—a district overseer said that people married to non-believers were kissing corpses.Yet, never should we be disdainful of those who do not share our belief in Jehovah.
Would calling them a corpse be disdainful?
Q11) What is the best way to show love to those who do not serve Jehovah, and why?
11) In showing love to those who do not serve God, we can do no better than to imitate Jehovah himself. Though he is no lover of wickedness, he shows loving-kindness to all by extending to them the opportunity to turn back from their bad ways and receive everlasting life. (Ezekiel 18:23) Jehovah "desires all to attain to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) It is his will that "all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) That is why Jesus commissioned his followers to preach and to teach and to "make disciples of people of all the nations." (Matthew 28:19, 20) By our participation in this work, we show love for both God and neighbor, yes, including even our enemies!
In showing love to those who do not serve God
Only JWs serve God
Opportunity is only available within the WTS
Preach and teach— do JWs "preach" and "teach" if they almost never mention "kingdom" "Jesus" and "Jehovah" in their door to door sermons and never conduct a bible study with anyone, including their own children? I have heard this talk several times over the years; an elder has taken out all the bible study slips, taken out those with children, and then compared that to the number of "publishers" in the congregation. The last one was in a congregation of 100 and only 15 bible studies were being held and after subtracting out the return visits connected with the bible studies, only 30 return visits had been made. That meant that 85 publishers were not conducting studies and 70 were not making return visits. How much teaching was going on? Was it surprising that in the last 8 years this congregation had not had a new convert that was not some JW’s child?Actually, anyone who is not a JW is "our enemy."
Love for Our Christian Brothers
Q12) What did the apostle John write about loving our brother?
12) The apostle Paul wrote: "Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galatians 6: 10) As Christians, we have an obligation to show love for those who are related to us in the faith--our spiritual brothers and sisters. How important is this love? Making this powerful point, the apostle John wrote: "Everyone who hates his brother is a manslayer ... 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." (1 John 3:15; 4:20) These are strong words. Jesus Christ applied the words "manslayer" and "liar" to Satan the Devil. (John 8:44) Never would we want those terms applied to us!
"Let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith."
Did the Samaritan work good "especially toward those related" to him "in the faith"?
As Christians— only JWs are ChristiansHates his brother is a manslayer
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."Have you seen JWs put "spiritual" administrative assignments ahead of visiting the sick, the depressed, the poor, providing food and shelter if need be?
Or do you see them dedicating their time to the "temple" rather than looking after the "parents" or older JWs in the congregation?
Q13) In what ways can we show love for fellow believers?
13) True Christians are "taught by God to love one another." (1 Thessalonians 4:9) We are to love "neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18) Our love should be "without hypocrisy." (Romans 12:9) Love moves us to be kind, compassionate, forgiving, long-suffering and not jealous, boastful, arrogant, or selfish. (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5; Ephesians 4:32) It impels us to "slave for one another." (Galatians 5:13) Jesus told his disciples to love one another just as he loved them. (John 13:34) A Christian should therefore be willing to give even his life in behalf of fellow believers when necessary.
True Christians—only JWs Love in deed and truth— See James 2:15,16 Without hypocrisy— have you had people suddenly be your friend during a CO’s visit or the memorial who drop you again after the CO drives away?
How many people at the KH would be willing to given their life for you or say they would but cannot find 5 minutes to talk with you before the meeting?
Q14) How can we manifest love within the family?
14) Especially should love be manifested within a Christian family and particularly between husband and wife. So close is the marriage bond that Paul said: "Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies." He added: "He who loves his wife loves himself." (Ephesians 5:28) We find Paul repeating this admonition five verses later. A husband who loves his wife will not imitate the Israelites of Malachi's day who dealt treacherously with their mates. (Malachi 2:14) He will cherish her. He will love her as Christ loved the congregation. Love will likewise move a wife to respect her husband.-Ephesians 5:25, 29-33.
Christian— only JWs Dealt treacherously with their mates— only if of the same religion
Does this mean that if a JW man is married to a non-JW woman and they have children he should send them away?
Should a husband respect his wife?
*** w03 7/1 p. 4 How to Develop Genuine Love ***
If you are a husband, do you esteem, or set a high value on, your wife and treat her with honor and respect?
*** w86 1/15 p. 9 Jehovah Fulfills His Promises! ***
Read9:1–10:44. Ezra soon learns that many "have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands as regards their detestable things." The Jews, including priests and Levites, have intermarried with the pagan Canaanites. Ezra is stunned. He prayerfully lays the matter before Jehovah, contritely confessing the nation’s errors. Under his leadership, the people repent and resolve to dismiss their foreign wives. The uncleanness is cleared out within about three months.
9:2—Why was such intermarriage a sin?
It posed a threat to the restoration of true worship. (Deuteronomy 7:3, 4) These were unbelieving, idol-worshiping women. Intermarriage with them could eventually have resulted in assimilation into the surrounding pagan nations, and pure worship might have vanished from the earth.
10:3, 44—Why were the children dismissed as well?
Young children usually need their mothers. Moreover, through the influence of the children, the dismissed wives may have returned in time. Pure worship of Jehovah had to take precedence.
Q15) What did observing brotherly love in action move some to say and do?
15) Clearly, this kind of love is the identifying mark of true Christians. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13: 35) Our love for one another draws people to the God whom we love and represent. For example, from Mozambique comes this report about a Witness family. "We had never seen anything like it. In the afternoon, a fierce wind began to blow, followed by heavy rain and hailstones. The strong winds destroyed our reed house, and the zinc roofing sheets blew away. When our brothers from neighboring congregations came and helped to rebuild our house, our astonished neighbors said: 'Your religion is very good. We have never received help like this from our church.' We opened the Bible and showed them John 13:34, 35. Many of our neighbors are now studying the Bible."
True Christians— only JWs
All religions can point to examples of where they have helped members. Matthew 5:44,45 says there has to be more than that.
Love for Individuals
Q16) What is the difference between loving a group and loving individuals?
16) It is not difficult to love our neighbors collectively, as a group. Love for individuals, however, can prove to be a different matter. For example, some people's love for neighbor goes no further than a donation to some charitable organization. Indeed, it is far easier to say that we love our neighbor than it is to love a coworker who seems not to care for us, an obnoxious person who lives next door, or a friend who disappoints us.
Who are a JW’s neighbors? Other JWs. As pointed out earlier in this review, non-JWs as seen as bad association.
Charity is more than donating money...Habitat for Humanity or working in a soup kitchen or a food pantry.
Were the "unlovable" loved at your congregation? Were you one of the "unlovable" that were avoided as bad association?
Love = preaching about the WTS doctrine and placing and studing WTS literature.
Q17, 18) How did Jesus show love to individuals, and with what motive did he do so?
17) In this matter of love for individuals, we learn from Jesus, who perfectly reflected God's qualities. Though he came to earth to take away the sin of the world, he showed love for individuals-a sickly woman, a leper, a child. (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 1:40-42; 7: 26, 29, 30; John 1:29) Similarly, we show love for our neighbor by the way we deal with the individuals with whom we come in contact day by day.
Love for individuals— do you think an elder or any JW would touch a leper? How do they treat people with AIDS or HIV? I can remember JWs would would not shake hands with a man with AIDS, even not touching the door where they had touched it.
But then JWs don’t help the poor, heal the sick, or feed the hungry; they leave that to other religions.
18) Never should we forget, however, that love of neighbor is linked to love of God. Though Jesus helped the poor, healed the sick, and fed the hungry, his motive for doing all these things as well as for teaching the crowds was to help people become reconciled to Jehovah. (2 Corinthians 5:19) Jesus did all things for God's glory, never forgetting that he represented and reflected the God whom he loved. (1 Corinthians 10:31) By imitating Jesus' example, we too can show genuine love of neighbor and at the same time remain no part of the world of wicked mankind.
*** g98 11/8 p. 4 Aids—How to Fight It ***
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), present scientific evidence says that (1) you cannot catch AIDS as you would a cold or the flu, (2) you cannot get it from sitting next to someone who has AIDS or by touching or hugging a person who is infected, (3) you cannot get it by eating food handled, prepared, or served by an infected person, and (4) you cannot get it by sharing toilets, telephones, clothes, or eating and drinking utensils. Moreover, the CDC says that the virus is not transmitted by mosquitoes or any other insect.
*** g94 3/22 p. 15 Helping Those With AIDS ***
The prudent AIDS sufferer realizes that others are sensitive about this disease. Therefore, out of respect for the feelings of those who want to be of assistance, it would be better for the AIDS victim not to initiate public displays of affection such as hugging and kissing. Even if there is little or no possibility that such gestures could communicate the disease, this restraint will show that the victim is considerate of others, thus engendering similar consideration in return.
Realizing that many have fears of the unknown, the person with AIDS should not be quick to take offense if he or she is not invited to private homes right away or if it seems that a parent restricts a child from being in close contact with him or her. And if one of the Congregation Book Studies is held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, it may be wise for one with AIDS to choose to attend there, rather than in a private home, unless that one has discussed the situation with the householder.
What should a person who knows he or she has AIDS do when he or she wants to become one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and get baptized? Out of respect for the feelings of others, it may be wise for them to request a private baptism, although there is no evidence to suggest that AIDS has been transmitted in swimming pools. While many first-century Christians were baptized at large public gatherings, others were baptized in more private settings because of varying circumstances. (Acts 2:38-41; 8:34-38; 9:17, 18) Another alternative would be for the candidate with AIDS to be baptized last
[Picture on page 29] Jesus’ love extends to individuals
How Do We Love Our Neighbor as Ourselves?
Q19, 20) What does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?
19) Jesus said: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." It is normal to care about ourselves and to have a healthy measure of selfrespect. If that were not so, the commandment would have little meaning. This proper love of self is not to be confused with the egocentric love of self mentioned by the apostle Paul at 2 Timothy 3:2. Rather, it is a reasonable sense of self-worth. One Bible scholar described it as "a balanced self-love that is neither a narcissistic `I am divine' nor a masochistic `I am dirt."'
It is normal to care about ourselves and to have a healthy measure of self-respect...not to be confused with the egocentric love of self....divine...dirt.
One Bible scholar—who? (Can you find who it is?)
Don’t worry, the WTS has a weekly program of meetings designed to let you know when you think too highly of yourself.
Maybe not dirt, but a worm.
(Psalm 22:6) . . .But I am a worm, and not a man, A reproach to men and despicable to the people.
Or good for nothing.
(Luke 17:10) 10 So YOU, also, when YOU have done all the things assigned to YOU, say, ‘We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.’"
20) To love others as we love ourselves means that we view others as we want to be viewed and treat others as we would like to be treated. Jesus said: "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them." (Matthew 7:12) Notice that Jesus did not say to mull over what others have done to us in the past and then repay in kind. Instead, we are to think about how we would like to be treated and then act accordingly. Notice, too, that Jesus did not restrict his words to friends and brothers. He used the word "men," perhaps to indicate that we should act in this way toward all people, everyone we meet.
Can you think of some ways you were treated at the KH? Was that the way you wanted to be treated? Was that the way those JWs wanted to be treated?
Mull over...past...repay in kind
So how long does the congregation remember your sins? 1 year to be reinstated. 1 year more before you can pioneer; 5 years to be an MS and 10 to 20 years before you can be an elder.
Q21) By showing love to others, what do we demonstrate?
21) Loving our neighbor will protect us from doing what is bad. The apostle Paul wrote: "The law code, `You must not commit adultery, You must not murder, You must not steal, You must not covet,' and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, `You must love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does not work evil to one's neighbor." (Romans 13:9, 10) Love will move us to look for ways to work what is good toward others. By loving fellow humans, we demonstrate that we also love the one who created man in His image, Jehovah God.-Genesis 1:26.
Is love negative, only not doing something bad? Where is the proactive aspect, doing something good?
Loving fellow humans— only JWs. Created man— where’s Jesus?How Would You Answer?
- To whom should we show love, and why?
- How can we show love to those who do not serve Jehovah?
- How does the Bible describe the love we should have for our brothers?
- What does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?
Concluding Comments
I have to come back to who JWs view as their neighbors. Are JWs encouraged to be friends with their neighbors, to socialize with their neighbor, to let their neighbors’ problems interfere with door to door and meetings?
*** w94 2/15 pp. 24-25 Keep Your Distance When Danger Threatens ***
We must also be on guard against extended association with worldly people. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a school friend, a workmate, or a business associate. We may reason, ‘He respects the Witnesses, he leads a clean life, and we do talk about the truth occasionally.’ Yet, the experience of others proves that in time we may even find ourselves preferring such worldly company to that of a spiritual brother or sister. What are some of the dangers of such a friendship? We could begin to minimize the urgency of the times we live in or take a growing interest in material rather than spiritual things. Perhaps, because of a fear of displeasing our worldly friend, we would even desire to be accepted by the world. (Compare 1 Peter 4:3-7.)
*** w69 3/15 p. 169 par. 6 What Influences Decisions in Your Life? ***
Whoever we are and wherever we live, do we not see these godless qualities in the people about us? How then can we avoid the ungodly influence of the worldly people among whom we live? Paul’s answer is simple and to the point. He says, "From these turn away." (2 Tim. 3:5) In other words, though they may be our neighbors, they should not be our associates.
Ain’t the weather nuts? Snow, no snow, ice, warm, cold, and all in one day. We’ll be traveling but will try and keep in touch.
Love, Blondie
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*** w84 10/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Do Jesus’ words that "the love of the greater number will cool off" mean that this will occur among true worshipers now?
With good reason we believe that Jesus was not foretelling a large-scale loss of love among Jehovah’s people.
The apostles had asked for ‘the sign of Jesus’ presence and of the conclusion of the system of things.’ Jesus foretold wars, earthquakes, food shortages and persecution of Christians. He added: "Because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off."—Matthew 24:3-12.
Much of that prophecy found a fulfillment between then (33 C.E.) and the great tribulation on Jerusalem that the Romans caused in 70 C.E. (Compare Luke 19:41-44; 21:5-28.) During that interval, did the love of most anointed Christians cool off? No. Those who fell away from Christianity during that generation evidently were in the minority. Most Christians experiencing persecution from the Jews kept up "declaring the good news of the word," displaying love for God, for unbelievers and for fellow Christians. (Acts 8:1-25; 9:36-42) But love did cool off among the Jews, who claimed to be true worshipers. The greater number of them ignored Jesus’ warning, revolted against Rome and resorted to a violent defense of their nation.
Jesus’ prophecy extends beyond the first century and has its major fulfillment today. (Revelation 6:2-8) As with the Jews back then, people have less and less effective love. Millions have turned atheistic. Even in Christendom people tend to show less neighbor love, and church attendances and knowledge of the Bible generally are declining. Many who seem to be religious try to rectify human problems through political causes. So it apparently is among such claimed worshipers of God that love is cooling off.
True Christians, though, must not become complacent. Since some Christians in the first century lost their first love or were distracted from it by problems, we could find our love cooling off. (2 Timothy 2:16-19; Revelation 2:4) While, if that happened, we would be exceptions to most of Jehovah’s people, the fact that it could happen to us individually emphasizes our need to ‘endure to the end’ so as to be saved.—Matthew 24:13.