(Cont. from Page 791). |
792.
"DO NOT HANDLE, NOR TASTE,
NOR TOUCH." (COL 2:21-23).
.
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x
x
x
x
x
Ministers who
prepare converts for everlasting death. ►
x
x
x
x
Self-willed. ►
x
Having a specious
appearance.
► |
There were during Jesus presence on earth
men of a certain kind that still exist among society today. Manifest by
their works, they are the sort that traverse land and sea to make a
convert like themselves, but have lost sight of true love, justice, mercy
and faithfulness. Once they have made a convert, they proceed to make them
fit only for everlasting death.
(Matt
23:15). This obviously takes time. Firstly, to persuade a new
convert that their apostate teachings and examples are entirely
acceptable, and then to induce them to implement these apostate teachings
and examples in their own lives to make them "a subject for
Ge.hen'na". This slow process of deviation from the true faith is
according to the operation of satan, taking great pains to achieve the
utmost
deception. (2 Thess 2:9). What evidence should we look for so that this
kind can be identified? In Colossians 2:21-23 it says they promote
the "commands and teachings of men" with an
"appearance of wisdom in a self-imposed form of worship and mock
humility". Men of this sort like to delegate responsibility to
others, to display mock humility by overtly greeting people publicly
at congregation meetings, or carry out some public duty so as to appear
righteous before men and exude an air of wisdom. (See Matt 6:1 & 23:5-8). |
x
Serving satan
not Jehovah. ► |
Sadly, to obey the "commands and
teachings of (these) men" removes from
congregation members the
opportunity to develop spiritually and show true love voluntarily.
Instead, they are enslaved to the ones delegating these
so-called 'righteous works'. (2 Peter 2:19). |
Love is shown in
deed and truth. ► |
True Christians must be living examples of
Christ-like conduct, performing helpful loving deeds voluntarily from
their hearts, not performing public duties with a view to acquiring
authority over others to "shut up the Kingdom of the heavens before
men".
(Matt 23:13). The JW
teaching that calling from house to house with the "good news"
is in itself showing love is untrue, for this is a command
from Jesus to his disciples for our salvation. (Matt 28:19,20)
(Rom 10:10). |
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
Lacking loving
Christian
unity. ► |
1 John
3:17,18 makes this abundantly clear, for it teaches that "love
must not be a matter of words or talk; it must be genuine, and show itself
in action" (NEB)
"in deed and truth". (NWT).
We cannot love merely with the tongue (preaching). The Word of God gives
many examples of how we may show love, but having this knowledge and
merely passing it on to others is not of itself
showing love. Verse 17 teaches that the love of God is not in us if we see
a brother or sister in need but shut up our hearts against them. If you
say, ""Go in peace, keep warm and well fed," but you do not give
them the necessities for their body, of what benefit is it? Thus, too,
faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." (From James 2:15 17). |
(Cont. on Page 793).
14/1/77.
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