June15 WT contains some very helpful assistance in identifying those having Gods backing. Having read the article……I am no wiser! Well….no surprises there I guess! Feel free to answer up and make public declaration of your faith brothers! The section is scanned in for your additional enjoyment........it would be a shame to edit any out. I added some comments in bold at the end of each paragraph to help the study along. They are by no means meant to cover all points and you are free to bring out your own. I hope you can make this encouraging to all especially lurkers or those coming to our discussion for the first time by your joyful participation.
Identifying Marks of Those Having God's Backing
7 They base their teachings on the Bible. Jesus said: "What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me. If anyone desires to do His will, he will know concerning the teaching whether it is from God or I speak of my own originality." And also: "He that is from God listens to the sayings of God." (John 7:16, 17; 8:47) Logically, to enjoy God's backing, one must teach only what God reveals in his Word and reject teachings based on human wisdom or tradition.-Isaiah 29: 13; Matthew 15:3-9; Colossians 2:8.
Can't be the WTS. I guess they did finally reject the 'human wisdom' of 1925, Beth-Sarim, 1975, Generation, etc. but what else next? They are so fond of their 'human wisdom and traditions'.
8 They use and publicize God's name, Jehovah. Isaiah foretold: "In that day you will certainly say: 'Give thanks to Jehovah, you people! Call upon his name. Make known among the peoples his dealings. Make men-lion that his name is put on high. Make melody to Jehovah, for he has done surpassingly. This is made known in all the earth."' (Isaiah 12:4, 5) Jesus taught his followers to pray:
"Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." (Matthew 6:9) Therefore, whetherJew or non-Jew, Christians were to serve as "a people for [God's] name." (Acts 15:14) God is obviously pleased to back those who are proud to be "a people for his name.~~
This is wishful thinking. Because they claim the name as God's they assume God backs them without any objective evidence that God actually does so. Mere use of the name could never be enough and certainly there is no evidence that the WTS are blessed by God in anything they do.
9 They reflect God's joyful personality. As author of "good news," Jehovah is "the happy God." (1 Timothy 1:11) So how could his worshipers be unhappy or persistently pessimistic? Despite world distress and personal problems, true Christians maintain a joyful spirit because they regularly feast on rich spiritual food. Isaiah contrasts them with those practicing false religion: "This is what the Sovereign Lord Jehovah has said: 'Look! My own servants will eat, but you yourselves will go hungry. Look! My own servants will drink, but you yourselves will go thirsty. Look! My own servants will rejoice, but you yourselves will suffer shame. Look! My own servants will cry out joyfully because of the good condition of the heart, but you will make outcries because of the pain of heart and you will howl because of sheer breakdown of spirit.'"-Isaiah 65:13,14.
Funny how I know so many JW's who are depressed, stressed and are under medication including elders. I also know 2 that tragically took their own lives. Those who 'cry out joyfully' are those who are left, in my observation!.
10 They base their conduct and their decisions on Bible principles. "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding," the writer of Proverbs advises us, "in all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5, 6) God backs those who look to him for direction rather than to the contradictory theories of humans who ignore godly wisdom. To the extent that a person is willing to pattern his life after God's Word, he will avoid having to learn by trial and error.-Psalm 119:33; 1 Corinthians 1:19-21.
Another correct type statement-but one that the WTS could not honestly claim-and doesn't here!. The WTS have learnt 'by trial and error' but they say it is the light that gets brighter!
11 They are organized in the manner of the first-century Christian congregation. Jesus set out the principle: "Do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly One. Neither be called 'leaders,' for your Leader is one, the Christ. But the greatest one among you must be your minister." (Matthew 23:8-11) A congregation of brothers precludes having a proud clergy class that honors itself with high-sounding titles and elevates itself above a laity. (Job 32:21, 22) Those shepherding the flock of God are told to do so "not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; neither as lording it over those who are God's inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:2, 3) Genuine Christian shepherds refrain from trying to make themselves masters over the faith of others. As fellow workers in God's service, they simply strive to set a fine example.-2 Corinthians 1:24.
More garbage! The WTS has a host of 'high-sounding titles'i.e. circuit overseer, district overseer, etc that rank with the clergy's bishops etc. How helpful the elders are! 'They simply strive to set a fine example'……like they did with Ray Franz and local/recent example of Simon! Yeah right!
12 They are submissive to human governments and yet remain neutraL He who fails to be "in subjection to the superior authorities" cannot expect to have God's backing. Why? Because "the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God." (Romans 13:1, 2) However, Jesus recognized the possibility of a conflict of interests when he said: "Pay back Caesar's things to Caesar, but God's things to God." (Mark 12:17) Those desiring to have God's backing must "keep on.. . seeking first the kingdom [of God] and his righteousness," while at the same time obeying the laws of the land that are compatible with their higher responsibilities to God. (Matthew 6:33; Acts 5:29) Jesus stressed neutrality when he said of his disciples: "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." He later added: "My kingdom is no part of this world."-John 17:16; 18:36.
Can't be the WTS who didn't quite pay taxes to the French! Not quite like Jesus *** Rbi8 Matthew 17:24-27***24 After they arrived in Ca·per'na·um the men collecting the two drachmas [tax] approached Peter and said: "Does YOUR teacher not pay the two drachmas [tax]?" 25 He said: "Yes." However, when he entered the house Jesus got ahead of him by saying: "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive duties or head tax? From their sons or from the strangers?" 26 When he said: "From the strangers," Jesus said to him: "Really, then, the sons are tax-free. 27 But that we do not cause them to stumble, you go to the sea, cast a fishhook, and take the first fish coming up and, when you open its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that and give it to them for me and you."
There again the fish stocks in the North Atlantic are depleted enough!
The donation arrangement was a handy way of avoiding tax by getting the publishers to give 'donations' for the literature and also ask the public for a contribution also!
13 They are impartial in working ~what is good toward alL" (Galatians 6:10) Christian love knows no partiality; accepting all people regardless of their skin color, economic or educational status, nationality, or language. The working of what is good toward all and especially toward those related to them in the faith helps to identify those having God's backing. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves."-John 13:35; Acts 10:34, 35.
They have no humanitarian programs. They rely on a number of kind ones in the hall to show charity to others without ever put their hand in their corporate pocket.
14 They are willing to suffer persecution for doing God's will. Jesus forewarned his followers: "If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they have observed my word, they will observe yours also." (John 15:20; Matthew 5:11, 12; 2 Timothy 3:12) Those having God's backing have always been unpopular, as was Noah, who condemned the world through his faith. (Hebrews 11:7) Today, those desiring God's backing dare not water down God's word or compromise godly principles so as to avoid persecution. As long as they faithfully serve God, they know that people will be "puzzled and go on speaking abusively" of them.-1 Peter 2:12; 3:16; 4:4.
Excuse me weren't some 'godly principles' watered down in Mexico and Bulgaria so as to avoid persecution? People are generally 'puzzled' and go on 'speaking abusively' of them because of the utter crap they come out with, more than anything else!
ISP