by TimothyT 40 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
This keeps JW's away from using their time, money and energy doing charitable work for the weak and instead directs those efforts toward the GB. It's genius really. By setting themselves up as the least that were helped they get to benefit from all the christian good will. Otherwise, JW's may actually feel moved to relieve suffering---instead of preaching that suffering will only be relieved by armegeddon.
NC
Sometimes my heart just overflows. The greatest of love... and peace... to you all!
YOUR servant, as I am servant to ALL those of the Household of God, Israel... and those who go with... and a slave of Christ,
SA
Wow... great posts people! This is a highly interesting part of the bible in my opinion, and is also within the few chapters which the JW's take HEAVILY out of context.
I think too, it reminds me of the scriptures in Matthew 7:21-23.
21 “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. 22 Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ 23 And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness.
What i find fascinating about this scripture is that although many did good works in Jesus name, he proclaimed that only those doing the will of God would be saved.
I did some research on what the will of God is. Here are my findings (This list is obviously not complete):
1 Thessalonians 5:12 Now we request YOU, brothers, to have regard for those who are working hard among YOU and presiding over YOU in [the] Lord and admonishing YOU; 13 and to give them more than extraordinary consideration in love because of their work. Be peaceable with one another. 14 On the other hand, we exhort YOU, brothers, admonish the disorderly, speak consolingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. 15 See that no one renders injury for injury to anyone else, but always pursue what is good toward one another and to all others.
16 Always be rejoicing. 17 Pray incessantly. 18 In connection with everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in union with Christ Jesus respecting YOU. 19 Do not put out the fire of the spirit. 20 Do not treat prophesyings with contempt. 21 Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine. 22 Abstain from every form of wickedness.
1 Timothy 2:2 I therefore exhort, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, offerings of thanks, be made concerning all sorts of men, 2 concerning kings and all those who are in high station; in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness. 3 This is fine and acceptable in the sight of our Savior, God, 4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth.
1 Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king as being superior 14 or to governors as being sent by him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good. 15 For so the will of God is, that by doing good YOU may muzzle the ignorant talk of the unreasonable men. 16 Be as free people, and yet holding YOUR freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God. 17 Honor [men] of all sorts, have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God, have honor for the king.
Interestingly, i pulled an article from the Watchtower, 1 March 1994, and it spoke SOLELY about the second point here quoting 1 Timothy 2:2. True, helping others to learn about the knowledge of truth may be the will of God, but it isnt the only one. From what i read in the bible, the will of God involves things such as being peaceable, kind, supportive, good towards others, happy, prayerful, thankful, thoughtfull, subjective, honourable, fearful of God, and in my opinion MOST IMPORTANTLY, have love for your brothers. It appears to me, there is more emphasis on the qualities that Jesus spoke about in his parable of the sheep and goats than on ANYTHING else.
Its clear that the will of God is to be a good, LOVING person and to treat each kindly and helpfully. If you do this to the least of Christs brothers, you are doing it to Christ and will inherit his kingdom.
Thanks for your contribution prodigal son. Some good scriptures there. The bible is full of them.
Timmy x
Its clear that the will of God is to be a good, LOVING person and to treat each kindly and helpfully. If you do this to the least of Christs brothers, you are doing it to Christ and will inherit his kingdom.
Amen. A little reminder:
Luke 13:23-25 A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you'll sit down to God's salvation banquet just because you've been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you're going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you'll find the door locked and the Master saying, 'Sorry, you're not on my guest list.'
26-27 "You'll protest, 'But we've known you all our lives!' only to be interrupted with his abrupt, 'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.' The Message Bible
Tee hee hee.
The Message Bible breaks it down, no?
Syl
'Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don't know the first thing about me.'
Okaaaay, dear Miz Sibbie (peace to you, chile!)?? Like, I mean, I'm SAYIN'... it's what ah bin SAYIN'! Nahmsayin'?
THANK you for that, dear one!
Your servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,
Miz Shebbie
LOL.
Shelby, you are a hot mess!
LOL.
Again.
Syl
An ancient sister told me that when they used to visit people "on the doors" if someone argued with them they used to just close the Bible and say "You're a gost" before walking away!
The last 3 posts realy confused me!
Awww ... Timmy.
Shelby just talked the "talk" of The Ancestors, and Char left the h out of ghost.
It's all good.
Syl
Char left the h out of ghost.or the s was supposed to be an a....goat
