Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-23-11 WT Study (AUGUST 15, 2011, pages 27-31)(PURSUE PEACE)
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PURSUE PEACE
“Let us pursue the things making for peace.”—ROM. 14:19.
OPENING COMMENTS
Are jws peaceful between families and individuals in their own congregations; between congregations?
If love is being shown (the signal quality Jesus said his followers would show), would not peace follow?
START OF ARTICLE
1, 2. Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses enjoy peace
among themselves?
TRUE peace is hard to find in today’s
world. Even people belonging to the
same national group and speaking the same
language are often divided religiously, politically,
and socially. By contrast, Jehovah’s
people are united despite the fact that they
have come out of “all nations and tribes and
peoples and tongues.”—Rev. 7:9.
COMMENTS
The WTS makes it clear that they alone are united and peaceful—Jehovah’s people but no mention of Christians which is what first century followers of Jesus were called.
Yet, jws are taught to hate non-jws and ex-jws.
2 The peaceful condition that generally exists
among us is no accident. It has come
about primarily because we “enjoy peace
with God” through our faith in his Son,
whose shed blood covers our sins. (Rom. 5:1;
Eph. 1:7) Moreover, the true God gives holy
spirit to his loyal servants, and the fruitage of
that spirit includes peace. (Gal. 5:22) Another
reason for our peaceful unity is that we are
“no part of the world.” (John 15:19) Rather
than taking sides in political issues, we remain
neutral. Having ‘beaten our swords
into plowshares,’ we do not get involved in
civil or international wars.—Isa. 2:4.
COMMENTS
“his loyal servants” = only jws (all other people are disloyal to God)
God only gives holy spirit to jws, but only certain jws, anointed, but not all anointed
Peace with God = what about peace with Jesus?
Are only jws neutral? Amish, Mennonite, Quaker, Buddhists…
Are jws politically neutral---NGO UN
What is your opinion of this political involvement?
Click on the link provided below and scroll down to numbers 102, 103, 248, and 314 in the blue boxes to the left of the organization's name. http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2006…
What does the Watchtower say about "political" involvement?
Watchtower-1985-March-1st-pg.13-pr.5
"False religion’s involvement in the affairs of the political nations will lead ultimately to her own devastation." Revelation 17:16, 17
Here is a link that shows the activities of the OSCE: http://www.osce.org/odihr/13421.html
3. What does the peace we can enjoy make possible,
and what will be discussed in this article?
3 The peace we can enjoy with one another
goes deeper than merely refraining from
doing harm to our brothers. Although the
congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses that
we belong to may be made up of individuals
from many different ethnic groups and cultures,
we “love one another.” (John 15:17)
Our peace allows us to “work what is good
toward all, but especially toward those related
to us in the faith.” (Gal. 6:10) Our peaceful
spiritual paradise is something to be treasured
and safeguarded. Let us, therefore,
examine how we may pursue peace within
the congregation.
COMMENTS
Refraining from doing harm to our brothers (but you can harm sisters)
Jws but no mention of Christ(ians)
How do they love one another?
Peace inside and outside congregations—no fights, no arguments between elders, no arguments between congregations, judging each other, as deserving
When We Stumble
4. What can we do to pursue peace when we have offended someone?
4 “We all stumble many times,” wrote the
disciple James. “If anyone does not stumble
in word, this one is a perfect man.” (Jas. 3:2)
Hence, differences and misunderstandings
between fellow believers are bound to arise.
(Phil. 4:2, 3) However, problems between individuals
can be solved without disturbing
the peace of the congregation. For example,
consider the counsel we should apply if we
realize that we may have offended someone.
—Read Matthew 5:23, 24.
COMMENTS
Not perfect, stumble many times….accidentally or purposely?
Jws are told to ignore problems to make “peace”
How to handle fraud, sexual abuse, etc.
What if someone comes and tells you that you did something serious but not a df offense, is it just hurt feelings
For example, consider the counsel we should apply if we
realize that we may have offended someone.
—Read Matthew 5:23, 24.
Why is this “suggestion” not given here? Who apologizes, the one who is seen as offended, or the one who was offended?
***w06 6/1 p. 11 ***
For us to keep peace, it may sometimes be wise to “give back” by apologizing, even if we are not convinced that we are in the wrong.
*** w02 11/1 p.6***
Peace among fellow believers is more important than proving who is right and who is wrong. Keeping this principle in mind makes it easier to apologize for a wrong that someone thinks we have committed against him or her.
***w96 9/15 p. 22 ***
Though we may not feel that we have done anything wrong , an apology may resolve a misunderstanding.
5. How may we pursue peace when we have been
wronged?
5 What if we have been wronged in some
small way? Should we expect the offender to
come to us and apologize? “[Love] does not
keep account of the injury,” states
1 Corinthians 13:5. When offended, we pursue
peace by forgiving and forgetting, that is, by
‘not keeping account of the injury.’ (Read
Colossians 3:13.) Minor transgressions in
day-to-day life are best handled in this way,
for this contributes to a peaceful relationship
with fellow worshippers and gives us peace
of mind. A wise proverb states: “It is beauty
. . . to pass over transgression.”—Prov.19:11.
COMMENTS
Fellow worshippers = only jws
“wronged in some SMALL way”
“MINOR transgressions”
What is small, what is minor? Who decides, the elders, the one hurt, the one supposedly doing the hurt?
Yet elders will come to the one who did not offend at all, sent by someone who has an easily hurt ego, and have them apologize because the elders lack the courage to counsel the one who takes offense easily. I found in many cases it was the elder’s wife who was “offended” who could or would not approach the person as in Matthew 18.
***w02 11/1 p. 6 Apologizing—A Key to Making Peace ***
The issue is, not so much who is right and who is wrong, but who will take the initiative to make peace… .he corrected them: “Why do you not rather let yourselves be wronged? Why do you not rather let yourselves be defrauded?” (1 Corinthians 6:7) Although Paul said this to discourage fellow Christians from airing their personal differences in secular courts, the principle is clear: Peace among fellow believers is more important than proving who is right and who is wrong.
Does this mean that elders are not concerned about founding out who is right or wrong? Or that God is not interested is seeing the person in the wrong, confess and turn around? Why then are individual Christians not afforded the same?
Was Paul talking about disagreements within the congregation or outside? He wanted them to maintain an appearance of getting along to non-believers? But inside the congregation, were the elders to allow other members to rip off the other?
Did Paul avoid a public confrontation with Peter when he was shunning Gentile Christians? Was he worried about the peace in the congregation?
(Galatians 2:11-14) . . .However, when Ce′phas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Bar′na·bas was led along with them in their pretense. 14 But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Ce′phas before them all: “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?”
6. What should we do if it is too difficult for us to
overlook an offense committed against us?
6 What if we find that a certain offense is
too difficult for us to overlook? Spreading the
matter to as many ears as are willing to hear is
certainly not the course of wisdom. Such
gossip serves only to disrupt the peace of the
congregation. What should be done to resolve
the matter peacefully? Matthew 18:15
states: “If your brother commits a sin, go lay
bare his fault between you and him alone. If
he listens to you, you have gained your
brother.” While Matthew 18:15-17 applies to
sin of a serious nature, in the spirit of the
principle stated in verse 15, we should kindly
approach the offender privately and try to restore
a peaceful relationship with him.*
* For Scriptural guidance in dealing with such serious
sins as slander and fraud, see The Watchtower, October
15, 1999, pages 17-22.
COMMENTS
I found that those who “spread the matter” were elders and their wives who had first hand knowledge and many times were one of the parties in the dispute. The elders would discuss it with other elders leaving out the “names” doing so even with elders in other congregations. Wives would share it with their “best friend” of which they had several and to entertain, perhaps hurt someone they didn’t life anyway, and to show the other sisters how special this elder’s wife was.
How many times were you approached by an elder telling you that someone had a problem with something the other person said you did. An elder who had not even heard what you had to say about the matter but had already found you guilty. And then when you said you would talk to the person as Matthew 18 recommends, the elder would not tell you who the person was and would not even hear what you had to say? What kind of peace would that develop between you, the elder, and the third party?
7. Why should we be quick to settle disputes?
7 The apostle Paul wrote: “Be wrathful, and
yet do not sin; let the sun not set with you in
a provoked state, neither allow place for the
Devil.” (Eph. 4:26, 27) “Be about settling
matters quickly with the one complaining
against you at law,” said Jesus. (Matt. 5:25)
Pursuing peace, then, calls for settling difficulties
quickly. Why? Because doing so prevents
differences from festering like an untreated,
infected wound. Let us not allow
pride, envy, or the attaching of too much importance
to material things prevent us from resolving disputes soon after
they arise.—Jas. 4:1-6.
COMMENTS
I can remember learning secondhand that someone was upset with me and had stopped talking to me. When I approached them, they refused to discuss it with me but had no problem spreading it through the congregation. When I involved the elders, the person said I was mistaken, there was no problem as they continued their hateful lies. Did this fester; not in me. I figured that my actions would speak louder than their lies. This person went on to treat others the same way and finally the culprit was identified. But not until much hurt was caused for many.
When I was younger, there were 2 elder families that sat on opposite sides of the hall. I went to that congregation for 10 years and never saw the wives ever talk to each other or even look at each other. Imagine the energy that took, wasted energy.
When a Controversy Involves Many
8, 9. (a) What differences of viewpoint existed in
the first-century congregation in Rome? (b) What
counsel did Paul give Roman Christians regarding
their dispute?
8 Sometimes differences in the congregation
involve not just two people but many
individuals. That was the case with Christians
in Rome to whom the apostle Paul
wrote an inspired letter. There was a dispute
among Jewish and Gentile Christians. Certain
ones in that congregation were evidently
looking down on those whose consciences
were weak, or overly restrictive.
Such individuals were improperly judging
others on purely personal matters. What advice
did Paul give the congregation?—Rom.
14:1-6.
COMMENTS
I can remember 2 congregations that shared a building. For whatever reason, the second one always had the Watchtower study Sunday afternoon, breaking up their day considerably. The first congregation had been formed first and felt they had first dibs every year rather than rotating every year or letting a vote be taken. As I would leave the meeting (and others) the jws coming in for the afternoon meeting would snipe at us and frown. That lasted for 10 years until a new CO came in and asked why they weren’t rotating. He put the elders in the first congregation in their place and we found ourselves going to afternoon meetings (with quite a few complaining jws from the 1 st congregation).
Isn’t the phrase “whose consciences were weak, or overly restrictive” improperly judging others? Is there such thing as a “purely personal matter” in the WTS where people tell you no beards, white shirts only allowed, determine whether your hair is too short or too long, etc.?
http://thejehovahswitnesses.org/things-jehovahs-witnesses-cant-do.php
9 Paul counseled individuals on both sides
of the dispute. He told those who understood
that they were not under the Mosaic
Law not to look down on their brothers.
(Rom.14:2, 10) Such an attitude could stumble
believers who still found it repulsive to
eat things that were not permitted under the
Law. “Stop tearing down the work of God
just for the sake of food,” Paul admonished
them. “It is well not to eat flesh or to drink
wine or do anything over which your brother
stumbles.” (Rom.14:14, 15, 20, 21) On the
other hand, Paul counseled Christians who
had more restrictive consciences not to be
judging as unfaithful those who held a
broader viewpoint. (Rom. 14:13) He told
‘everyone there among them not to think
more of himself than it was necessary to
think.’ (Rom. 12:3) Having counseled both
sides in this dispute, Paul wrote: “So, then,
let us pursue the things making for peace
and the things that are upbuilding to one
another.”—Rom.14:19.
COMMENTS
If jws are not under the Mosaic law, why does the WTS refer more often to people like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Jehu, Isaiah, etc., than people in the first century? How many times are WT doctrines based on the Law than on what Jesus said and did?
Paul counseled Christians not to live their lives based on the Law that Jesus’ words were sufficient. How often have you or were you told to follow a rule made by the elder body? And found that the congregation across town did not? In this area, one congregation made it a rule that all elders and MS could not have mustaches. Another one realize there was not scriptural reason for that and allowed the brothers to wear mustaches. Several elders/MS in the first congregation changed congregations and kept their mustaches. The elder bodies had a feud going for years and the first congregation was one that demanded white shirts on speakers until just 8 years ago…the last one in the circuit to end it.
Were they pursuing the things making for peace?
10. As with the first-century congregation in Rome,
what is needed to resolve differences today?
10 We can be sure that the congregation in
Rome responded well to Paul’s counsel and
made the necessary adjustments. When differences
among fellow Christians occur today,
should we not likewise settle disputes
graciously by humbly seeking and applying
Scriptural counsel? As was the case with the
Romans, today those on both sides of the
controversy may need to make adjustments
in order to “keep peace between one another.”—
Mark 9:50.
COMMENTS
Did disputes end? What about Euodia and Syntyche; what about Paul and Barnabas; what about Paul and Peter, or the ones preaching there had been no resurrection (1 Cor. 5:12),
The worst examples of not humbly seeking and applying Scriptural counsel are the elders, the COs, the DOs.
I never once heard an elder sincerely apologize for something hurtful he said or did, never. I have heard elders apologize for other elders…………
Jehovah loves those who freely forgive others
When Called Upon to Help
11. What care should an elder exercise if a Christian
wants to talk to him about a dispute with a fellow
believer?
11 What if a Christian wants to talk to an elder
about a problem he or she is having with
a relative or with a fellow believer? Proverbs
21:13 states: “Anyone stopping up his ear
from the complaining cry of the lowly one,
he himself also will call and not be answered.”
An elder would certainly not ‘stop
up his ear.’ However, another proverb warns:
“The first to state his case seems right, until
his opponent begins to cross-examine him.”
(Prov. 18:17, New English Translation) An elder
should listen kindly, but he needs to be
careful not to take sides with the one reporting
the offense. After listening to the matter,
he would likely ask whether the offended
party has spoken to the one who caused the
upset. The elder may also review Scriptural
steps that the offended one can take to pursue
peace.
COMMENTS
Can a sister go directly to an elder if her husband is a baptized jw or must she go through her husband? What about a relative who is not a jw; can an elder insert himself into that? What if she has a non-jw husband; does that elder have any authority over that non-jw husband?
An elder SHOULD NOT stop up his ear; but many do; or they stick a new elder with the joyful job.
Notice the WTS has no problem here using a scripture from the New English Translation rather than the NWT.
Would the elder likely ask if they have spoken to the other person….more likely the elder will do it and refused to tell that person the name of the complainant.
How could the first person follow Matthew 18 if the elder will not reveal who has the complaint?
12. Cite examples showing the danger of acting
hastily after hearing a complaint.
12 Three Biblical examples underscore the
danger of acting hastily after hearing only
one side of a controversy. Potiphar believed
his wife’s story that Joseph had tried to
rape her. With unjustified anger, Potiphar
had Joseph thrown into prison. (Gen. 39:
19, 20) King David believed Ziba, who said
that his master, Mephibosheth, had sided
with David’s enemies. “Look! Yours is everything
that belongs to Mephibosheth” was
David’s hasty response. (2 Sam. 16:4; 19:25-
27) King Artaxerxes was told that the Jews
were rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and were
about to rebel against the Persian Empire.
The king believed the false report and ordered
that all rebuilding in Jerusalem cease.
As a result, the Jews stopped work on God’s
temple. (Ezra 4:11-13, 23, 24) Christian elders
wisely follow Paul’s counsel to Timothy
to avoid making premature judgments.
—Read 1 Timothy 5:21.
COMMENTS
Three Biblical examples—ALL OT examples (of course jws are not under the Law, right?)
So David had holy spirit, why did he judge so quickly? Potiphar and Artaxerxes were not Jews so had no holy spirit to guide them, right? In all 3 cases, the one judged unfairly were at risk of losing their lives or livelihood.
Were you ever prematurely judged by the elders who refused to even listen to you because the other person was viewed as strong spiritually, or their good friend, or someone they were financially dependent on? Did the elders apologize when they found out the facts?
13, 14. (a) All of us have what limitations respecting
the disputes of others? (b) What help do elders
have in making correct judgments respecting fellow
believers?
13 Even when it seems that both sides of a
dispute have come to light, it is important to
realize that “if anyone thinks he has acquired
knowledge of something, he does not yet
know it just as he ought to know it.” (1 Cor. 8:2)
Do we really know all the details that
led up to the dispute? Can we fully understand
the backgrounds of the individuals involved?
When called upon to judge, how vital
it is that elders not let themselves be
deceived by falsehood, clever tactics, or rumors!
God’s appointed Judge, Jesus Christ,
judges righteously. He does not “judge by
any mere appearance to his eyes, nor reprove
simply according to the thing heard by his
ears.” (Isa. 11:3, 4) Rather, Jesus is guided
by Jehovah’s spirit. Christian elders likewise
have the benefit of being guided by God’s
holy spirit.
COMMENTS
Do the elders even want all the details, except for the sexual ones, of course. Where is the holy spirit if the elders can so easily be fooled by falsehood, clever tactics, or rumors?
If elders already have judged someone unworthy spiritually, that long hair proves guilt and short hair innocence, what justice is there? Under the Law, people who judged wrongly, they were subject to the same punishment or the person who stood before them in judgment.
According to the WTS, how are elders guided by holy spirit, remember that the WTS frequently excuses the elders for their errors in judging as being “imperfect men.”
14 Before they make judgments respecting
fellow believers, elders need to pray for the
help of Jehovah’s spirit and depend on its
guidance by consulting God’s Word and the
publications of the faithful and discreet slave
class.—Matt. 24:45.
COMMENTS
This is the most important scripture for the WTS because when there is no scriptural support otherwise, this general scripture and unproven if there is an FDS is the base of all other things.
"The faithful and discreet slave is not a legal entity."
Vincent Toole Solicitors then went on to present arguments that the "faithful and discreet slave" do not exist as a "person" nor do they exist as an "unincorporated body" and nor do they exist as a "body" of Christians.
Literally Vincent Toole Solicitors were arguing that the "faithful and discreet slave" should be struck off the charge list because they simply do not exist. In one broad sweeping statement the Watchtower Society and their in-house legal team completely destroyed the entire fabric and structure of the faith of some 7 million Jehovah's Witnesses. What next happened goes beyond the wildest imaginings that any Jehovah's Witness could ever believe was possible.
Steven Unthank stood up, looked around the courtroom, and then actually defended the "faithful and discreet slave" and the beliefs and doctrinal teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses. No one else came to the defense of the FDS. Steven Unthank, as the current acting prosecutor, was the only person who defended them. Unthank then presented argument that the FDS was real and was that body of Jehovah's Witness Christians that had religious responsibility over the entire Christian congregation.
The Watchtower Society and Vincent Toole Solicitors then presented rebuttal argument that the "faithful and discreet slave" did not exist but were nothing more than a:-
"theological arrangement"
A massive gasp could be heard emanating from the gallery from amongst a group of Jehovah's Witnesses who had attended to watch the hearing. It is worth noting that Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that to deny the "faithful and discreet slave" is to deny the Christ and that those who deny the Christ are the antichrist.
The Watchtower Society and Vincent Toole Solicitors then turned on the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and denied that they existed or operated within Victoria and Australia. The magistrate did not accept this argument and, after seeking approval from Steven Unthank, adjourned all the court hearings for four weeks.
Simply put, the Watchtower Society and Vincent Toole Solicitors denied the existence of the "faithful and discreet slave" and denied the existence of the Christian congregation arrangement. What is also interesting in the entire court case to date is that it was the Watchtower Society and their in-house lawyers that brought theology and religion into the court room.
It is possible that sometime in the future there could be a very serious courtroom hearing in which the whole existence of the "faithful and discreet slave" is argued but not in the way any Jehovah's Witness could imagine. Unless the WTS backs down, or the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses step in and defend their faith, then we could see Steven Unthank actually defending the existence of the FDS and the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses in open public court while the WTS and their lawyers, with the backing of the Governing Body, deny the existence of the FDS and maybe even the Christian congregation. And if such a courtroom drama ever unfolds, then at any given time Steven Unthank could back down and the FDS become no more than a never existing group of imaginary Christians who are really nothing more than a convenient "theological arrangement" whom Jehovah's Witnesses mistakenly believe exist and are their spiritual leaders who care about them.
The only party not represented was the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is logical from a self-preserving religious point of view, as to defend the charges would be to acknowledge each single charge as being a "valid charge of improper conduct." This would then disqualify each member from being an elder until the case was sorted out.
This failure on the part of the Governing Body to appear or to be represented was noticed by the Magistrate who took the unusual step of suggesting and recommending to Steven Unthank that criminal charges be brought against every single member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses as opposed to the unincorporated body known as the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. The only thing that may actually prevent this from really happening is that Steven Unthank lacks the financial resources. Good thing the Crown stated in court its intention to take over the prosecution.
Peace at Any Price?
15. When should we report a serious sin that we
have become aware of?
15 As Christians, we are exhorted to pursue
peace. However, the Bible also states: “The
wisdom from above is first of all chaste, then
peaceable.” (Jas. 3:17) Being peaceable is
secondary to chasteness, that is, upholding
God’s clean moral standards and meeting his
righteous requirements. If a Christian becomes
aware of a serious sin on the part of a
fellow believer, he should encourage that
one to confess the sin to the elders. (1 Cor. 6:
9, 10; Jas. 5:14-16) If the wrongdoer does not
do so, the Christian who has come to know
about the sin should report it. Failure to
do this in a mistaken effort to maintain
peace with the sinner makes one a party to
the wrongdoing.—Lev. 5:1; read Proverbs 29:24.
COMMENTS
Christians—only jws
Actually, the WTS says if a jw does not report this sin, they will be held liable and possibly df’d themselves. Is this the case when a member has committed pedophilia?
When elders do not report the pedophile to the secular authorities, are the party to the wrongdoing? Only if Caesar’s law in that area require it…
Note that Lev. 5:1 is part of the Mosaic law that Christians are not under. Shouldn’t confession to God be more important since elders cannot forgive sins?
16. What can we learn from Jehu’s encounter with
King Jehoram?
16 One account involving Jehu shows that
God’s righteousness takes priority over
peaceableness. God sent Jehu to execute His
judgment on the house of King Ahab. Wicked
King Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel,
rode in his chariot to meet Jehu and said:
“Is there peace, Jehu?” How did Jehu respond?
He replied: “What peace could there
be as long as there are the fornications of Jezebel
your mother and her many sorceries?”
(2 Ki. 9:22)With that, Jehu drew his bow and
shot Jehoram through the heart. Just as Jehu
took action, elders must not compromise
with willful, unrepentant practicers of sin
for the sake of keeping peace. They expel
unrepentant sinners so that the congregation
can continue to enjoy peace with God.
—1 Cor. 5:1, 2, 11-13.
COMMENTS
Jehu—king over the 10-tribe kingdom eventually. God must not been able to destroy the wrongdoers because he was forced to use Jehu to do it. Was Jehu interested in God’s righteousness or obtaining a kingship for himself and his descendants?
How righteous was Jehu? While he eradicated Baalism, what about the worship of the golden calves? Did God approve of that? Why wasn’t Jehu held accountable for false worship like the Baal worshippers? Is Jehu really a good example for elders today?
*** it-2 p.24 Jehu***
Rather, the key to the matter seems to lie in the statement that Jehu let calf worship continue in Israel and did not walk in the law of Jehovah with all his heart. Probably Jehu came to believe that independence from Judah could be maintained only through religious separation. Like other kings of Israel, he sought to secure his position by perpetuating calf worship. This was really an expression of lack of faith in Jehovah, who had made it possible for Jehu to become king.
(2 Kings 10:28-31) 28 Thus Je′hu annihilated Ba′al out of Israel. 29 It was only the sins of Jer·o·bo′am the son of Ne′bat, with which he caused Israel to sin, that Je′hu did not turn aside from following them, [that is,] the golden calves of which one was in Beth′el and one in Dan. 30 Consequently Jehovah said to Je′hu: “For the reason that you have acted well in doing what is right in my eyes, [and] according to all that was in my heart you have done to the house of A′hab, sons themselves to the fourth generation will sit for you upon the throne of Israel.” 31 And Je′hu himself did not take care to walk in the law of Jehovah the God of Israel with all his heart. He did not turn aside from the sins of Jer·o·bo′am with which he caused Israel to sin.
17. All Christians play what part in pursuing peace?
17 Most disputes between brothers do not
involve serious wrongdoing that requires judicial
action. How good it is, therefore, lovingly
to cover over the mistakes of others.
“The one covering over transgression is seeking
love,” says God’s Word, “and he that
keeps talking about a matter is separating
those familiar with one another.” (Prov. 17:9)
Complying with those words will help all of
us to preserve peace in the congregation and
maintain a good relationship with Jehovah.
—Matt. 6:14, 15.
COMMENTS
Most…but not all…even then what does it mean to “cover over the mistakes of others”? Is that what the elders do when another of their group does something “wrong” because they have to keep their authority intact? Do elders show the same to the rank and file or does a brother and sister find they spend years to be counted “worthy”? As to gossip, the worse are the elders, then their wives. I knew of elders’ children who listened in on an extension and told their friends. Peace in the congregation is not the important thing if one says they are a Christian (only a jw), but peace with God. Can one say he loves God whom he can’t see, and does not love humans he does see?
Pursuing Peace Brings Blessings
18, 19. What benefits result from pursuing peace?
18 Our pursuing “the things making for
peace” brings us rich blessings. We enjoy a
close personal relationship with Jehovah as
we imitate his ways, and we contribute to the
peaceful unity of our spiritual paradise. Pursuing
peace inside the congregation also
helps us to see ways in which we can pursue
peace with those to whom we preach “the
good news of peace.” (Eph. 6:15) We are better
prepared ‘to be gentle toward all, keeping
ourselves restrained under evil.’—2 Tim.
2:24.
COMMENTS
Did you know how rarely the WTS talks about a close, personal relationship with Jesus? Why is that?
(John 14:6) Jesus said to him: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Do jws pursue peace with the people they talk to? Do they call them “goats”? Do they pick out a nice house in the neighborhood they can call they own after these people are destroyed at Armaggeddon (all 7 billion non-jws, men, women, and children with no hope of a resurrection). Do they lament their difficult life and hope for a quick end to all these sinners?
I remember the sister who got into a screaming match with a man about the flag salute; or the regular pioneer that yelled at the apartment manager who would not let them on the property. It took about 20 years before the people in those neighborhoods to let jws back.
19 Remember, too, that there will be “a resurrection
of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”
(Acts 24:15) When that hope becomes
a reality here on earth, millions of
people with varying backgrounds, temperaments,
and personalities will be brought
back to life—and that from times stretching
all the way back to “the founding of the
world”! (Luke 11:50, 51) Teaching resurrected
ones the ways of peace will indeed be a
great privilege. What a tremendous help the
training we now receive as peacemakers will
be to us at that time!
COMMENTS
But remember the WTS teaches that the “unrighteous” are people who are already dead and will be resurrected AFTER Armaggeddon. Will jws today have the skills to teach others peace or will they have to learn it now, soon.
*** w89 9/1 p.19 par.7***
Only Jehovah’s Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the “great crowd ,” as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil. (Revelation 7:9-17; 2 Corinthians 4:4) They will make up the “flesh” that Jesus Christ said would be saved through the worst tribulation of all human history.
What Did You Learn?
How may we pursue peace if we have offended someone?
What should be done to pursue peace when we have been wronged?
Why is it unwise to take sides in the disputes of others?
Explain why peace should not be pursued at any price.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
Next week, JEHOVAH IS MY SHARE.
Now where is Jesus is this scenario? Oh, that’s right, this is based on the OT, no Jesus yet.
Love, Blondie