Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-10-2013 WT Study (JANUARY 15, 2013, pages 17)(DISTANCE FROM JAH)
Review comments will be headed by COMMENTS
WT material from today's WT will be in black
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
EXCELLENT GENERAL WEBSITE : www.jwfacts.com
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications http://www.a2z.org/wtarchive/archive.htm (old)
www.jw.org (new)
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
http://marvinshilmer.blogspot.com
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
Also posted on
http://exjehovahswitnessforum.yuku.com
http://www.jehovahswitnessrecovery.com/
LET NOTHING DISTANCE YOU
FROM JEHOVAH
“Choose for yourselves
today whom you will
serve.”—JOSH. 24:15.
TRY TO ANSWER
How can you keep secular
employment in its proper place?
How can you show balance in
your approach to recreation and
entertainment?
If a family member leaves
Jehovah, how can you cope
with your grief?
OPENING COMMENTS
Once again the WTS uses mostly OT examples for Christians to follow…I wonder what Christians were doing that their examples were not adequate.
DISTANCE FROM JEHOVAH (NOT JESUS)
LEAVES JEHOVAH (NOT JESUS)
Where is being close to Jesus in the WTS equation…how to put him in when using OT examples, people who never knew him or followed him.
START OF ARTICLE
1-3. (a) Why is Joshua a good example of one who made the
right choice in life? (b) What should we keep in mind when
faced with decisions?
“CHOOSE” is a powerful word. A person with a
choice has options and a degree of control over the
direction his or her life will take. To illustrate: Imagine
that a man who is walking on a road suddenly
finds that it becomes two diverging paths. Which
will he choose to follow? If the man has a destination
in mind, then one path will likely bring him
closer to his goal while the other will take him farther
away from it.
COMMENTS
It is interesting that the WTS focuses on people having a choice. The WTS says that its members make a personal choice not to vote, not to join the military, not to have a blood transfusion. Yet those same members know that if they make a choice other than the approved WTS one, the WTS considers that these individual have “chosen” not to be part of the WTS organization and thus will be shunned by all jw family and friends. How then does that not influence their choice?
What happens when jws do not make the approved choice regarding employment, entertainment, or recreation? Or when the dreaded “stumbling” principle is applied? Can one person in the congregation hold all hostage to their personal choices? Yes.
*** w09 2/15 p. 19 Should You Insist on Your Personal Preferences? ***
Encouraging us to take into consideration the effect that our actions have on others, the apostle Paul wrote: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous. All things are lawful; but not all things build up.” Paul also said: “Keep from becoming causes for stumbling.” (1 Cor. 10:23, 32) In matters involving personal preferences, then, it is the course of wisdom to ask ourselves: ‘Am I willing to forgo certain rights when the peace of the congregation is threatened?
*** w62 7/1 pp. 413-414 How Should Christians View Dancing? ***
While one’s choice of entertainment is a personal matter, a mature Christian will never insist on his “rights” in this respect when it disturbs the conscience of a fellow Christian or when it may be a cause for stumbling new ones. “Let us not be judging one another any longer, but rather make this your decision, not to put before a brother a stumbling block or a cause for tripping.”
*** w08 3/15 pp. 3-4 par. 7 Be Yielding, Be Balanced ***
Neither our speech nor our actions should stumble others. (Eph. 4:29) Indeed, love will impel us to avoid doing anything that might hinder people of different backgrounds and cultures from progressing toward serving Jehovah. This often involves our being yielding. For example, missionary sisters accustomed to wearing cosmetics or nylons do not insist on using them in localities where that might call their morals into question and stumble others.—1 Cor. 10:31-33.
2 The Bible contains numerous examples of people
who faced a similar situation. For example, Cain
had to decide whether to act on his anger or to control
it. (Gen. 4:6, 7) Joshua had to choose between
serving the true God or worshipping false gods.
(Josh. 24:15) Joshua’s goal was to stay close to Jehovah;
hence, he chose a path that took him in that direction.
Cain had no such goal, and he chose the
path that took him farther away from Jehovah.
COMMENTS
OT examples: Cain and Joshua
Can you think of NT examples who made good and bad choices? Let’s help the WTS “improve.”
BAD: Judas, Ananias, Sapphira, Hymnaeus,
GOOD: Andrew, Peter, etc, Timothy, Titus, Apollo, Prisca, Tabitha (Dorcas)
Why did God not warn Abel or protect him? Why did Abel have to die? Didn’t God protect other people like Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Hezekiah?
But did Cain feel close to God after his sacrifice was rejected? If Adam and Eve and their children were vegetarians as the WTS says, why did Abel kill animals?
Remember Joshua was the one that had seen God’s power in a special way as attendant to Moses.
Very rarely does the WTS espouse being close to Jesus.
*** w04 9/1 Beware of “the Voice of Strangers” ***
What enables us to stay close to Jesus?
*** w86 6/1 p. 13 par. 14 Can Anything Separate You From God’s Love? ***
So it is imperative not only to avoid any separation from God’s love but also to remain in the love of Christ. The formula for remaining close to Jesus is the same as it is for drawing close to God.
3 At times, we may face a fork-in-the-road decision.
If that happens, keep in mind your destination,
or goal—to bring glory to Jehovah in all that you do
and to avoid anything that would cause you to draw
away from him. (Read Hebrews 3:12.) In this article
and in the next, we will examine seven areas of life
in which we should let nothing distance us from Jehovah.
COMMENTS
Narrow road, broad and spacious road
What are jws taught to hope for, their carrot on a stick, everlasting life in good health on a paradise earth surrounded by loved ones?
*** w99 7/15 p. 18 par. 9 Anchored by Hope, Impelled by Love ***
A few dedicated Christians in some parts of the world appear to have reefed the sails of their ship of faith. The ship is still afloat, but instead of forging ahead in full faith, they have adopted a cruising speed. Drawn by the hope of “Paradise soon,” some were prepared to spare no efforts to attain it—zealous in the preaching work and regular in attendance at all meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Now thinking that the realization of their hopes is farther off than they anticipated, they have lowered the price they are willing to pay. This is evident in reduced preaching activity, irregularity at meetings, and willingness to miss parts of assembly or convention programs. Others are devoting more time to recreation and to obtaining material comforts. These facts lead us to consider what should be the driving force in our lives in line with our dedication to Jehovah. Should our zeal in his service be dependent on the hope of “Paradise soon”?
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER
4. Why is making a living important?
4 Christians are obligated to support themselves
and their families. The Bible indicates that if anyone
does not want to provide for his household, he is
worse than an unbeliever. (2 Thess. 3:10;
1 Tim. 5:8, ftn.) Clearly, secular employment
is an important part of life, but
if you are not careful, employment and
career could distance you from Jehovah.
How?
COMMENTS
Christians = only jws
Are women obligated to support their families? Did you know jw families where healthy jw husbands had no job and the jw wife had to provide the support?
Secular employment may be important but the WTS will dictate how much, when, and what employment and use the “stumbling” principle where there is no exact scripture covering their “opinion.”
What is the difference between employment and career?
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Career_vs_Job
5. What factors are important when we consider
a job offer?
5 Suppose you are looking for a job. If
you live in a land where work is scarce,
you might be tempted to accept the first
job offer—any offer—that comes along.
What, though, if the nature of the work
conflicts with Bible principles? What if
the schedule or traveling involved will
impede your Christian activity or take
you away from your family? Should you
accept the offer anyway, thinking that an
unsuitable job is better than no job? Remember,
choosing the wrong path could
distance you from Jehovah. (Heb. 2:1)
Whether you are looking for work or
you are reevaluating your current employment,
how can you make wise decisions?
COMMENTS
Job (not career)
What jobs conflict with “bible” principles per the WTS? Not work for church even to paint one time job? Be in law enforcement if carry a gun (many prison guards don’t carry guns). Can jws own guns for hunting purposes? Do they? Work for the government…Daniel did, so did Nehemiah and Mordecai and the Ethiopian eunuch. Medical field…There is such a Talmud built up around this, and then the elders in your congregation can insist on something different than in another, and there is always the “stumbling” principle where one person can hold you and the congregation hostage.
6, 7. (a) What goals might a person have with
regard to secular work? (b) Which goal will
bring you closer to Jehovah, and why?
6 As stated earlier, keep in mind your
destination. Ask yourself, ‘Where do I
want a job or career to take me?’ If you
view secular work as a means to an end
—to support yourself and your family
in Jehovah’s service—Jehovah will bless
your efforts. (Matt. 6:33) Jehovah is not
stumped when you face a job loss or an
unexpected economic downturn. (Isa.
59:1) He “knows how to deliver people
of godly devotion out of trial.”—2 Pet.
2:9.
COMMENTS
So what does it mean not to view secular work as a means to an end?
How will God bless your efforts…provide food even for the day?
Bad jws….the economic downturn and wanting to eat, have a safe place to live is making them miss more important meetings, where the jws will see their plight and help them…..?
7 On the other hand, what if your aim
is merely to become wealthy? Perhaps
you will succeed. Even if you do, however,
remember that such “success” will
come at a price—one that you cannot afford.
(Read 1 Timothy 6:9, 10.) Overemphasis
on wealth and career will only
distance you from Jehovah.
COMMENTS
Aim to become wealthy….how many jws do you know that are wealthy, that weren’t wealthy when they became jws. How many of them are marked as spiritually weak? How many jws including Cos and Dos suck up to these “wealthy” jws?
What is wealth per the secular world outside of the jws? How many of them are wealthy?
What is wealth ? My personal definition: Wealth is the part of your net worth ( assets minus liabilities ) that generates capital gains , income, and dividends without your labor. If you are a Doctor or Lawyer, you need to put in long hours after years of specialty training and higher education to get a paycheck. On the other hand, if you have a portfolio of private businesses, car washes, parking garages, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, real estate, patents, trademarks, and other cash generators, you could sit by the pool. The real value, of course, is that you could maintain your lifestyle even if you were disabled or unable to continue working at your primary occupation. Better yet, unlike a salaried employee, wealth can't fire you - you have to squander it. It's far easier to lose a job that wipe out a well-constructed portfolio .
The level of your wealth should be measured by the length of time you could maintain your standard of living without an additional paycheck. In other words, if you had to stop working right now, how long could you keep up your purchasing pattern for cars, clothing, music lessons, college tuition, video games, etc.? The average person isn't educated in this truth, which is why the more and more they earn, they are left wondering why financial independence and security continue to allude them, always seemingly just out of grasp.
http://beginnersinvest.about.com/od/wealthmanagement1/ss/independence_2.htm
8, 9. What should parents consider when it
comes to their attitude toward secular work?
Explain.
8 If you are a parent, think about how
your example affects your children.
What do they see as being most important
to you—your career or your friendship
with Jehovah? If they see that status,
prestige, and wealth have first place
in your life, might they follow you on
such a disastrous path? Could they lose
a measure of respect for you as a parent?
One young Christian states: “As far
back as I can remember, my father has
been preoccupied with his job. At first,
it seemed that he worked so hard because
he wanted our family to have the
very best. He wanted us to be well cared
for. But in recent years, something has
changed. He works and works, and then
he brings home luxuries rather than necessities.
As a result, we’re known as
the family that has a lot of money rather
than as the family that encourages others
in spiritual pursuits. I would take my
father’s spiritual support over his money
any day.”
COMMENTS
Career or job…I’d be stunned that many people inside or outside the KH have wealth, prestige or status. At least what the WTS is mentioning. I know jws that have internal status in the WTS where people speak in hushed tones that they have met, know or are friends with such, elders & families, CO, DO, Bethelites, GB members. I remember one sister was asked how it felt to be an elder’s wife the night her husband was announced for the first time; I’m not an elder she said, I wasn’t appointed; I’m just not bad enough for him not to be appointed.
I’m sure this child eagerly accepted all the luxuries and perks that come with having a father with money. Do you think the child is supporting themselves, that they are beggaring themselves to serve God? Can you imagine that the congregation elders turn to this brother to bail them out financially, to help build or remodel the hall, to give to the worldwide work?
9 Parents, do not distance yourself
from Jehovah by putting too much emphasis
on your career. By your example,
show your children that you truly
believe that the greatest wealth we can
possess is spiritual, not material.—Matt.
5:3.
COMMENTS
Distance yourself from Jesus? Is it really a career as show above or just a job that pays more than some?
(Luke 16:9) . . .Also, I say to YOU, Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches, so that, when such fail, they may receive YOU into the everlasting dwelling places.
What did Jesus mean by this scripture per the WTS? Were David and Solomon bad because of their riches? Did they give out of their want or their surplus?
*** w01 6/15 p. 5 How Can You Keep a Balanced View of Money? ***
The proper use of money is approved by God. For example, Jesus said: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches.” (Luke 16:9) This includes contributing toward the advancement of the true worship of God, for we definitely should want God as our Friend. Solomon himself, following the example of his father, David, contributed large amounts of money and valuables toward the building of Jehovah’s temple.
10. What might a young person consider when
choosing a career?
10 If you are a young person who is
contemplating a career, how can you
choose the right path? As already discussed,
you need to know where your
life is headed. Would training and employment
in the field that you are
considering allow you to pursue Kingdom interests
more fully, or would it distance
you from Jehovah? (2 Tim. 4:10) Is
your goal to imitate the lifestyle of people
whose happiness rises and falls depending
on the size of their bank account
or stock portfolio? Or will you
choose to reflect the confidence of David,
who wrote: “A young man I used to
be, I have also grown old, and yet I have
not seen anyone righteous left entirely,
nor his offspring looking for bread”?
(Ps. 37:25) Remember, one path will distance
you from Jehovah, while the other
path will lead you to the best life
ever. (Read Proverbs 10:22; Malachi 3:
10.) Which path will you choose?*
*For more information on choosing a career, see
chapter 38 of the book Questions Young People Ask
—Answers That Work, Volume 2. (www.jw.org )
COMMENTS
Can jws choose a “career”?
So what careers = money? Who tells you want distances you?
I have know many elders who traveled for their work, many, many. They were still appointed and not asked to step aside if their work changed later…could not conduct book studies, participate in the school or service meeting, perhaps conduct the WT study and give a public talk. Salesmen, pilots, construction in other states, seasonal work across the Midwest, etc.
Of course, then there are the people at the KH who expect to be treated with love and respect but find neither. But watch those with stock portfolios and large bank accounts have their feet kissed.
RECREATION AND ENTERTAINMENT
11. What does the Bible acknowledge about
recreation and entertainment, but what should
we keep in mind?
11 The Bible is not anti-fun, nor does it
depict recreation and entertainment as
a waste of time. “Bodily training is beneficial
for a little,” wrote Paul to Timothy.
(1 Tim. 4:8) The Bible even says
that there is “a time to laugh” and “a
time to skip about,” and it encourages a
healthy amount of rest. (Eccl. 3:4; 4:6) If
you are not careful, however, recreation
and entertainment could distance you
from Jehovah. How? Much of the danger
centers on two aspects—what type you
choose and how much time you spend
on it.
COMMENTS
Bible is not anti-fun = but the WTS defines specifically what is appropriately fun
Bodily training = beneficial LITTLE
A time to laugh…skip about =
What TYPE….how much TIME
*** w11 10/15 p. 9 par. 8 Is Your Recreation Beneficial? ***
Sports can be fun and exciting. What, though, if you are attracted to certain sports because of their aggressive competitiveness, excessive risk taking, high rates of injury, riotous celebrations, nationalistic fervor, or similar “ingredients”? After examining what is involved, you would likely decide that it would be hard to harmonize your thinking with Jehovah’s way of thinking and with the message of peace and love that we preach to others. (Isa. 61:1; Gal. 5:19-21)
*** w11 10/15 p. 11 par. 12 Is Your Recreation Beneficial? ***
So, then, when it comes to spending time on recreation, we do well to count the cost in advance. (Luke 14:28) We need to determine how much of our time a certain leisure activity will cost. Next, we must decide how much of our time it is worth. If pursuing a form of recreation will mean neglecting such important activities as personal Bible study, family worship, attending Christian meetings, or sharing in Kingdom preaching, it is not worth the price. (Mark 8:36) But if an occasional leisure activity energizes us to keep on pursuing Kingdom interests, we may well decide that the time we spend on that type of recreation is worthwhile.
12. What factors should you consider with regard
to the type of recreation and entertainment
you choose?
12 First, consider the type. Be assured
that you can find healthy forms of recreation
and good entertainment. Admittedly,
though, much of what is available
glorifies things that God hates, including
violence, spiritism, and illicit sex.
Therefore, you need to scrutinize the
type of recreation and entertainment
that you engage in. What effect does it
have on you? Does it encourage in you a
spirit of violence, fierce competition, or
nationalism? (Prov. 3:31) Does it drain
your financial resources? Could it stumble
others? (Rom.14:21) What type of associates
does your choice of recreation
and entertainment bring you into contact
with? (Prov. 13:20) Does it stimulate
in you a desire to commit wrong acts?
—Jas. 1:14, 15.
COMMENTS
Do you see a basic cut and paste here from 2011?
And the “stumble” principle is added to cover all situations…can’t even stumble one person, who holds a whole congregation hostage.
PICTURE: Recreation of the right kind and in the right amount is refreshing (you can bet keeping score is not allowed; ever played cards not keeping score?)
*** g95 12/8 p. 15 Is Competition in Sports Wrong? ***
We would never measure the worth of others by their abilities in sports and games. Similarly, we would not want to think any less of ourselves because of lack of skill. Does that mean it would be wrong to keep score? Not necessarily. But we should remember how insignificant any game really is—people’s true worth does not depend on how well they perform. In team play some regularly change the mix of players on each team so that no one team always wins.
Christians should also keep in mind that while sports and games are mentioned in the Bible, they are mentioned only sparingly. It would be a mistake to conclude that the mere mention of sports in the Bible constitutes an outright endorsement of all sports. (Compare 1 Corinthians 9:26 with Psalm 11:5.) Also, Paul noted that “bodily training is beneficial for a little; but godly devotion is beneficial for all things.”—1 Timothy 4:8.
*** w02 11/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***
Christians who enjoy board or card games as recreation would be better advised to keep a penciled score or to play the game simply for fun without keeping score.
13, 14. What do you need to consider with regard
to how much time you spend in leisure activities?
13 Consider, too, the amount of time
you spend on recreation and entertainment.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I spend so much
time in leisure pursuits that I have little
time left for spiritual activities?’ If
you choose to spend excessive time on
recreation and entertainment, you will
find that your downtime is not as refreshing
as it could be. In fact, those
who keep relaxation in its place enjoy
it even more. Why? Because they know
that they first took care of “the more important
things,” so their period of relaxation
comes guilt free.—Read Philippians
1:10, 11.
COMMENTS
How much time does the WTS schedule for “spiritual” activities?
MEETINGS INCLUDING TRAVEL AND GETTING DRESSED TIME
3 hours Thursday
3 hours Sunday
4 hours PREPARATION FOR MEETINGS
1-4 hrs FAMILY WORSHIP
*** km 1/11 pp. 3-4 par. 4 Help for Families ***
In order to attend the Congregation Book Study, we needed time to dress, travel, and so forth. For many of us, attending this one-hour meeting took the better part of the evening. With the adjustment to our meeting schedule, we now have this evening to worship Jehovah as a family. Therefore, we need not limit our Family Worship evening to just one hour.
1 hour PREPARATION FOR FIELD SERVICE
3 hours Saturday Field Service (including travel and break)
15-18 hours/week
14 Although spending much time in
leisure activities may seem appealing,
taking that path could distance you from
Jehovah. A 20-year-old sister named
Kim learned that from experience. “I
used to be at all the parties,” she says.
“Every weekend something big was happening—
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Now, though, I see that there are just
so many more important things to do.
For example, as a pioneer, I wake up at
6:00 a.m. for field service, so I can’t be
socializing until one or two in the morning.
I know that social events are not all
bad, but they can be a huge distraction.
Like anything else, they have to be kept
in their place.”
COMMENTS
The WTS takes it to the extreme…parties 3 nights a week, up until one or two in the morning?????
With field service on Saturday and meetings Sunday mornings, can jws ever stay up past midnight? How many elders and their wives partied hearty?
15. How can parents help their children enjoy
refreshing recreation?
15 Parents are responsible for providing
materially, spiritually, and emotionally
for themselves and their children.
That includes making provision for refreshment.
If you are a parent, do not
be a killjoy who treats all leisure activity
as bad. At the same time, be on guard
against unsavory influences. (1 Cor. 5:6)
With adequate forethought, you can find
recreation and entertainment that is truly
refreshing for your family.* In that
way, you and your children will choose a
path that will bring you closer to Jehovah.
*For suggestions, see pages 17-19 of the November
2011 issue of Awake!
COMMENTS
Parents are responsible – so mothers are included
Are parents the killjoy in this picture or the WTS?
Unsavory influences – children with only one jw parent?
Closer to Jesus?
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
16, 17. What grievous situation has afflicted
many parents, and how do we know that Jehovah
understands their pain?
16 The bond between parent and child
is so strong that Jehovah used that relationship
to illustrate his own love for his
people. (Isa. 49:15) It is normal, therefore,
to be deeply grieved when a beloved
family member leaves Jehovah. “I
was devastated,” says one sister whose
daughter was disfellowshipped. “I wondered,
‘Why did she leave Jehovah?’ I
felt guilty, and I blamed myself.”
COMMENTS
Leaves “Jehovah” or the WTS organization?
17 Jehovah understands your pain. He
himself “felt hurt at his heart” when
the first member of his human family,
and later most people living before
the Flood, rebelled. (Gen. 6:5, 6)
It may be difficult for those who have
never experienced such a loss to appreciate
how devastating it can be. Nevertheless,
it would be unwise to let the
improper course of a disfellowshipped
family member distance you from Jehovah.
How, then, can you cope with the
profound grief that arises when a family
member leaves Jehovah?
COMMENTS
Remember this is the God that destroyed eternally the young children during the flood, at Sodom and Gomorrah, and “soon” at Armageddon for the sins of their parents.
(2 Chronicles 25:4) 4 And their sons he did not put to death, but [did] according to what is written in the law, in the book of Moses, that Jehovah commanded, saying: “Fathers should not die for sons, neither should sons themselves die for fathers; but it is each one for his own sin that they should die.”
Did God df the person or IMPERFECT men? Men who cannot read hearts and minds.
18. Why should parents not blame themselves
if a child leaves Jehovah?
18 Do not blame yourself for what
happened. Jehovah has put a choice before
humans, and each dedicated and
baptized family member must “carry his
own load” of responsibility. (Gal. 6:5)
Ultimately, Jehovah holds the sinner
—not you—responsible for his or her
choice. (Ezek. 18:20) Also, do not blame
others. Respect Jehovah’s arrangement
for discipline. Take your stand against
the Devil—not against shepherds who
act to protect the congregation.—1 Pet. 5:
8, 9.
COMMENTS
But the WTS does blame parents, especially fathers, when their children are df’d, having to step down as elders and ministerial servants.
Do not blame others…what if people lied, what if elders let off some people and df’d others for the same crime and attitude…like God let off David for murder and adultery?
19, 20. (a) What can parents of disfellowshipped
children do to cope with their grief?
(b) What hope do such parents rightly entertain?
19 On the other hand, if you choose
the path of resentment toward Jehovah,
you will distance yourself from him.
Really, what your beloved family member
needs to see is your resolute stance
to put Jehovah above everything else
—including the family bond. So to cope
with the situation, be sure to maintain
your own spirituality. Do not iso-
late yourself from your faithful Christian
brothers and sisters. (Prov. 18:1) Pour
out your feelings to Jehovah in prayer.
(Ps. 62:7, 8) Do not look for excuses to
associate with a disfellowshipped family
member, for example, through e-mail.
(1 Cor. 5:11) Stay absorbed in spiritual
activities. (1 Cor. 15:58) The sister quoted
above says, “I know that I must stay
busy in Jehovah’s service and keep myself
in a spiritually strong condition so
that when my daughter does come back
to Jehovah, I will be in a position to help
her.”
COMMENTS
If you had lived in the time when Israelites were sacrificing their children by tossing them in the fire, would you have refused to do so although the priests of Jehovah would have punished you for disobeying them?
Where is Jesus in this picture…
Can people be df’d for contacting df’d family through e-mail?
20 The Bible says that love “hopes all
things.” (1 Cor. 13:4, 7) It is not wrong
for you to entertain the hope that your
loved one will return. Each year, many
wrongdoers repent and come back to Jehovah’s
organization. Jehovah does not
begrudge their repentance. On the contrary,
he is “ready to forgive.”—Ps. 86:5.
COMMENTS
But can you pray for a df’d person?
*** w01 10/1 pp. 16-17 par. 15 How Can You Help a “Prodigal” Child? ***
In restoring one’s relationship with Jehovah, prayer is a must. Of course, no one should “make request” concerning blatant sin that is clearly being practiced unrepentantly by any individual once associated with the Christian congregation. (1 John 5:16, 17; Jeremiah 7:16-20; Hebrews 10:26, 27) Yet, parents can ask Jehovah to give them wisdom to deal with the situation. (James 1:5) If a disfellowshipped youth gives evidence of repentance but does not have “freeness of speech toward God,” the parents might pray that if God finds a basis for pardoning the child’s error, that His will be done. (1 John 3:21) Hearing these prayers should help the youth to see Jehovah as a merciful God.—Exodus 34:6, 7; James 5:16.
Come back to God or the organization?
Did the prodigal son need to request to come back by putting a letter in the box outside his father’s door…for a year or more as he sat outside the door as people passed in and out without saying a word?
PICTURE: It is not wrong to hope that a loved
one will return to Jehovah
MAKE WISE CHOICES
21, 22. What is your resolve when it comes to
your use of free will?
21 Jehovah has endowed his human
creation with free will. (Read Deuteronomy
30:19, 20.) But with that freedom
comes a sobering responsibility. Each
Christian should ask himself: ‘Which
path am I on? Have I allowed employment
and career, recreation and entertainment,
or family relationships to distance
me from Jehovah?’
COMMENTS
Free will = but the WTS will tell you what the best decision is to stay in their good graces
Distance from Jesus?
Each Christian = only jws
22 Jehovah’s love for his people never
wavers. The only way we could become
distanced from Jehovah is if we chose
to follow a wrong path. (Rom. 8:38, 39)
Yet, that does not have to happen! Make
it your determination to allow nothing
to distance you from Jehovah. The next
article will discuss four more areas in
which you can demonstrate that resolve.
COMMENTS
And if the WTS is wrong, you must follow that path until they wake up to their error. Notice the change about chess in just 6 years after the Bobby Fischer fascination.
*** g79 1/22 p. 10 Playing Indoor Games ***
And, of course, chess is another board game that has long provided many persons much pleasure.
*** g73 3/22 p. 14 Chess—What Kind of Game Is It? ***
The extreme fascination of chess can result in its consuming large amounts of one’s time and attention to the exclusion of more important matters, apparently a reason Huss regretted having played the game. Also, in playing it there is the danger of “stirring up competition with one another,” even developing hostility toward another, something the Bible warns Christians to avoid doing.
Then, too, grown-ups may not consider it proper for children to play with war toys, or at games of a military nature. Is it consistent, then, that they play a game noted to be, in the opinion of some, an “intellectualized equivalent of the maneuvers enacted by little boys with toy soldiers”? What effect does playing chess really have upon one? Is it a wholesome effect?
Surely chess is a fascinating game. But there are questions regarding it that are good for each one who plays chess to consider.
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
I read comments on this from posters who attended this meeting…few if any comments volunteered on disfellowshipping.
NEXT WEEK, KEEP DRAWING CLOSE TO JEHOVAH.
Love, Blondie