[Watchtower study for the week of March 24, 2014 – w14 1/15 p.22]
This is a good Watchtower study which encourages all to reach out in any way they can and to use the gift God has given each one to help others. — 1 Peter 4:10
It speaks of those older ones who have acquired wisdom and knowledge following years of faithful service and encourages them to use whatever power and capability they possess to continue to help others, possibly serving in a foreign land, or a foreign language congregation in their home country.
Many of the frequent, thoughtful contributors to this site are such ones. Men and women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who have progressed in spiritual knowledge and discernment and who are willing and able to help younger ones to come to a greater knowledge of the truth. The irony is that if they were to follow this article’s counsel to the letter, these ones would get tossed out of the very Organization they are serving. The reason is, of course, that with growing knowledge from careful and honest Bible study, such ones have come to a greater knowledge of the truth from God’s word and in some important ways this truth varies from what our publications would have us teach.
How can you go to a foreign land to teach interested ones about the Bible, while knowingly teaching some things which are contrary to Bible truth? An honest person cannot do this. What options are there? How did sincere Christians in centuries past teach Bible truth that conflicted with Church doctrine? In those days, they were not only in danger of being disfellowshipped, but of being imprisoned by the Church authority; or worse, executed. They had to pursue the course of truth by acting courageously, but cautiously. The truth was taught in an underground manner.
We will explore this theme in an upcoming post, since many have asked about this.
I am very much looking forward to your thoughts on this Meleti, and everyone else. As many have already commented, I would like to add my voice. Folk are doing something for Jehovah and not a man made organisation/committee. How many times I have heard that Jehovah does not expect any more from you than what He knows you can give. So, to Jehovah, we will have different ways to show we can serve Him – I have been told this quite regularly by the sister I have Bible Study with. However, it is so different when you get really… Read more »
Yes in an underground manner . Im very much looking forward to hearing your reasoning on this one meleti .kev . Also some nice comments here about having the right motive . Despite having it wrong . Paul was like that . Thats why he was taken from the pharisaical religion of his day by jesus i think theres a paralell here .kev
I love your comments Kev 🙂
Thanks sister it was your comments that brought my response. And your labour was not in vain even though we now know that we didnt have thing quite right. The main thing is that we love our brothers and sisters when we have the chance . 1 john 4 v 7. Beloved ones let us continue loving one another. Because love is from god and everyone who loves has been born from god AND. Gains the knowledge of god. Your comments are very much appreciated. And encouraging. Kev
Meleti:
I look forward to your thoughts also. Thanks in advance for your efforts.
I read a comment recently from a former elder, who over the course of his many years in serice to the organization, was responsible for a total of 52, including family members, now being in the “truth”, which he now deeply regrets. He said it had taken him time, but he had come to terms with the guilt he has had to over-come. His comment caught me unawares. He also said that though he studied with them, he now realizes that they chose to believe and are perhaps choosing to stay in the organization (or leave) and are thus responsible… Read more »
“An underground manner”. Intriguing. I look forward to your post.
Matthew 10:16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves” NIT
Do not put faith in your companion Or trust a close friend. Guard what you say to the one who lies in your embrace. For a son despises his father, A daughter rises up against her mother, And a daughter-in-law is against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his household. But as for me, I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah. I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Although I have fallen, I will rise up;… Read more »
well that is the point “Jehovah will not forget the love that YOU showed for him” One was doing this for Jehovah, not men! And yes it is hard once one come to the knowledge that the very ones that they trusted as the FDS has made so many mistakes, back peddling all to keep this operation of error going, the 1914 false doctrine. But one can look back and say yes, I did this because I loved Jehovah, and as hard as it has been on many b/s myself included, YOU know that YOU did this work for the… Read more »
My in law’s retired early and forsook everything to finally go into the pioneer work as a couple may feel a little down after this WT. They are now forced to go back into the work force in their late 50’s and 60’s after 3 years in the regular pioneer work .They prepared as well as anyone could and yet ” time and unforeseen occurrence befalls us all “. They simply cannot afford to any longer because they literally have one foot out in the street. Par.6 “If you are an experienced Christian, you have great potential. Consider what you… Read more »