(Cont. from Page 791).

792.

"DO NOT HANDLE, NOR TASTE,
NOR TOUCH."   (COL 2:21-23).
.

 

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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