these visits to various homes. About twenty-five minutes later Brother Franz and another brother from the branch followed, visiting the same homes. Thus we were able to speak to many more brothers. In fact, by nine that evening 853 brothers had been met and spoken to. This indeed was a joyful day! On returning to the branch office that evening we found that many of the congregation servants from other parts of Greece had come to see the office and the printing plant, and there again I had opportunity to talk to them for about thirty minutes. The Society arranged for a little reception in the branch office, because it was a new structure and many of our brothers from other parts of Greece had never seen it.

To all of us privileged to enjoy this 7th day of December it will be unforgettable. While the brothers were very anxious and happy to see us, we were certainly joyful in meeting them. Next day, according to schedule, we had to start for Turkey. So the brothers took us to the airport. We were not sure whether we would return to Athens from Istanbul to go on to Cyprus. (This all depended upon our getting visas from Cyprus.) At 9:30 we left and by ten we were back, landing on the same airstrip from which we had taken off. When we had flown from Athens for about fifteen minutes some difficulties developed in one of the engines, so the pilot decided to return. An hour later we left Athens in another plane, to Istanbul.

Show Respect for Jehovah’s Organization

“My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”—Prov. 6:20, 23, RS.

1. Who are Christendom’s children, and what is their condition?

THE children of Christendom are children of this system of things, for Christendom is a dominant part of it. Christendom’s children have a lamp, the Bible, in hundreds of millions of copies in many languages; but to them it is as an unlighted lamp. Why? Because the father of this system of things and his slovenly offspring “Christendom” have blinded their minds to the light of the lamp. Worse than that, they have deliberately thrust their children out without due appreciation for their lamp and have allowed them to wander about in a bedarkened and almost destitute condition. Even the lamp that they carry, veiled as it is to them, would have been wrested away from them if a more powerful hand had not prevented it. That is the picture of the old world’s children in Christendom.—2 Cor. 3:15; 4:4, 6.

2. In what significant way do the New World society’s children differ from Christendom’s?

² What a contrast when we look at the children of the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses! They carry a lamp too, the same lamp in fact, God’s written Word. But as it is written in Psalm 119:105 (AS): “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path.” Why is it they have light whereas the children of Christendom do not? Both have the same lamp, God’s Word, the Bible. Where is the difference? The answer is that they looked with unveiled faces at the gleaming Word of the heavenly Father and they also accepted enlightening instruction through his motherly organization. As it is written at Proverbs 6:20, 23 (RS): “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”

3. What is required of those who would have light from the Bible?

³ Consider that for a moment. Two things are mentioned: the commandment of the father and the teaching or law of the mother. Then the proverb explains that the commandment of the father is a burning lamp but that there is light also from the teaching or law of the mother. The world is full of Bibles, which Book contains the commandments of God. Why, then, do the people not know which way to go? Because they do not also have the teaching or law of the mother, which is light. Jehovah God has provided his holy written Word for all mankind and it contains all the information that is needed for men in taking a course leading to life. But God has not arranged for that Word to speak independently or to shine forth life-giving truths by itself. His Word says: “Light is sown for the righteous.” (Ps. 97:11) It is through his organization that God provides this light that the proverb says is the teaching or law of the mother. If we are to walk in the light of truth we must recognize not only Jehovah God as our Father but his organization as our mother.

4. To what extent were the Israelites required to honor father and mother? and to what extent are Christians today?

⁴ Some who call themselves Christians and who claim God as their Father boast that they walk with God alone, that he directs their steps personally. Such persons not only forsake the teaching or law of the mother, but they literally throw God’s woman out into the streets. The light of God’s truth is not for them. In the nation of Israel Jehovah made obedience to parents mandatory. “Honor your father and your mother” was the fifth commandment of the Ten. (Ex. 20:2-17; Deut. 5:16, NW) The reward for obedience was long life; for disobedience, death. “In case a man should happen to have a son who is stubborn and rebellious, he not listening to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and they have corrected him but he will not listen to them, then . . . all the men of his city must stone him with stones and he must die.” (Deut. 21:18-21, NW) Such honor and obedience was required not only as due the immediate parents in the flesh but also as rightfully belonging to the older men of influence in Israel. Failure to render such proper respect to Elisha, the prophet of Jehovah, brought upon a gang of juvenile delinquents the just sentence of speedy execution. (2 Ki. 2:24) Today, also, God requires and exacts from his children obedience, honor and respect. These must be rendered not only to the living God himself, but to his wifely organization as well.

IDENTIFYING THE MOTHER ORGANIZATION

5. How does Paul identify the true mother of Christians?

⁵ The real mother of Christians is not and can not be an earthly organization. To show this fact Paul contrasts the position of fleshly Jews with that of spiritual Jews, or Christians, and then says: “The Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.” (Gal. 4:26, NW) Then he quotes part of a prophecy in Isaiah. Turning to this prophecy in the fifty-fourth chapter of Isaiah we learn from the context the identity of this one called “our mother.” Verses five and six (AS) read: “Thy Maker is thy husband; Jehovah of hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is thy Redeemer; . . . For Jehovah hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit.” In this way Paul identifies Jehovah’s wife as His invisible universal organization, the mother of Christ and of his joint heirs.

6. (a) What is the relationship existing between “Jerusalem above” and the New World society, as indicated in Isaiah 66:8? (b) Into what further relationship are they to be brought?

⁶ Then what is the relationship existing between this heavenly woman and the visible theocratic organization of the New World society? And to whom is our respect due? Again we turn to the prophecy of Isaiah for the answer. Isa Chapter sixty-six, verse seven, describes the birth of the man-child Kingdom government with Christ Jesus, the principal one of Zion’s children, as the King in heaven. That occurred in 1914. Then in the eighth verse Isa 66:8 (AS) it says: “Shall a land be born in one day? shall a nation be brought forth at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” This foretells the birth of more children, but this time on earth. This occurred in 1919. The land that is born is the restored condition on earth of Jehovah’s anointed remnant in a New World society, a condition free for Jehovah’s worship and for organized service theocratically. The new nation is the remnant of spiritual Israel delivered from Babylon and now under the established newborn Kingdom. Those of this nation inhabit the theocratic land on earth, the delivered, restored condition of the remnant of Christ’s joint heirs. But since these children of Zion above have a heavenly destiny to reign with Christ, they also become a part of the universal organization that is God’s wife, and will, with Christ, form the capital city of that organization. So God’s woman, Zion or Jerusalem above, is his universal organization, with one hundred forty-four thousand and one of her members or children eventually forming the capital city like a man-child government, yet all these being the principal part of the same universal organization. These children, Christ Jesus and the 144,000, are individuals making up the capital city, the royal organization, Christ’s “bride” being the New Jerusalem. However, the 144,000 spirit-begotten children of God, together with Christ Jesus their Head and all the invisible holy angelic spirit creatures, make up the universal organization of God, his wife. As children were born in ancient Jerusalem and became residents of that city, so Zion’s 144,000 spiritual children are brought forth to become a part of the universal organization and at the same time its capital with Jesus Christ.

7. How can the true daughter organization be identified, and what shows some are false in their claims?

⁷ Being so closely associated with the mother organization, Christ’s “bride” would certainly resemble her mother in all respects, as would even those Christians still on earth in the flesh who are engaged to be married to Christ. These would serve as her representatives and would therefore be easily recognizable by their conformity to God’s requirements for his visible channel of communication. It becomes very clear that the so-called church organizations of Christendom could not be Zion’s real daughter organization. They hold no resemblance to God’s woman organization in heaven. In their apostasy from true worship their “church” structures are not genuine nor apostolic, but are varied in form, some following the hierarchic structure, others being democratic or congregational and still others adopting the synodical type of church rule. All such forms are unauthorized and foster selfishness and self-centered ambition. Because they are not her children in fact, all of such counterfeit organizations wickedly oppose the “mother” of true Christians and thereby find themselves fighting against God and his King, Jesus Christ, who is the chief one in the universal organization of Jehovah.—Psalm 2.

8. How and by whom is the daughter organization brought forth as the church of God, and how does she become God’s channel?

⁸ The church of God, the daughter of Zion, is not designed or developed by men. Paul clearly stated: “But now God has set the members in the body, each one of them, just as he pleased. And God has set the respective ones in the congregation, first, apostles; second, prophets; third, teachers”; and so on throughout the entire visible arrangement. (1 Cor. 12:18, 28, NW) Then Paul shows in his letter to the Ephesians that the channel of God is strengthened and built up by those whom Christ gave as “gifts in men,” and Paul adds these words to clarify the matter and to show how it is accomplished: “And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as missionaries, some as shepherds and teachers, with a view to the training of the holy ones for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ.” (Eph. 4:8, 11, 12, NW) It is evident from these words that all in the congregation were to be ministers, and it was to this ministerial body as a “faithful and discreet slave” that Jesus said he would entrust all the interests of his kingdom. Such a structure corresponds to the theocratic organization in heaven; and today, since 1919 and the bringing forth of the remnant of Zion’s children, it realizes a fulfillment of Isaiah’s words: “Behold, a king [Jesus Christ] shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.”—Isa. 32:1, AS.

9. What promised restoration of God’s channel further rules out the false claims of Christendom to be God’s children?

⁹ Having been founded in righteousness this visible channel of God must be maintained according to the same high principles. A healing and restoration of this organization from the degrading apostasy into which professed Christians had sunk after the death of the apostles was foretold. “Instead of bronze will I bring gold, and instead of iron will I bring silver; and instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron; and Peace will I make your government, and Righteousness your ruler.” (Isa. 60:17, AT) This is the theocratic order that Jesus began among his disciples and that he demonstrated must be maintained regardless of individuals. His determination to keep the organization clean and devoted to right principles was manifested in the action he took in disfellowshiping one of the original twelve apostles. It is very clear, then, that one’s position in God’s organization is no safeguard, and this fact positively rules out the many false claims made by the spiritually adulterous and wicked leaders of the illegitimate “daughter” organizations of Christendom. They are outside God’s organization and there is no light in them at all.

APPRECIATING THE LIGHT

10. What is the source of true light on the Scriptures, and how are we shown to whom our respect is due?

¹⁰ The teaching or law of our mother, then, is not light from an earthly organization that comes forth as “infallible interpretation” like that claimed by the Roman Catholic Hierarchy. The source of that light must be the throne of the true God and the light is sent forth through his Son, the first-born of Zion’s children, the King of the capital city. And the true channel on earth would be the nation of his joint heirs, who today occupy the restored theocratic condition as the nucleus or core of that organizational land. This makes clear the import of Jesus’ statement regarding the “sheep” and the “goats” in his illustration at Matthew 25:31-46. Since these heaven-bound children of Zion are Christ’s brothers on earth, Jesus could well say to the sheep showing them favor: “Truly I say to you, To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (NW) With what deep respect, then, must we view not only God’s woman in heaven, but her children on earth as well, who represent her! Our fate is in our own hands. Whether we shall become “sheep” or “goats” is determined by our own course of action toward Jehovah’s organization.

11. What is demonstrated by ignoring some in the congregation who seem to lack certain qualities, but what is the proper attitude toward such ones?

¹¹ There are associated with God’s people today some who have little of the world’s material goods. There are some, too, who may lack fluency of speech or who may seem to be lacking in what this world often speaks of as the “social graces.” Ignoring such ones in the congregation or, worse, looking down on them is an evidence of disrespect for the entire organization. Paul asks: “Do you despise the congregation of God and make those who have nothing ashamed?” (1 Cor. 11:22, NW) How much more of a demonstration of the unity and love of the brothers in the New World society it would be if those who seem to have a surplus of these things would cultivate the friendship of those who seem to have a lack! This should not be done in a spirit of condescension, as though the giving would be all one way, because often those seemingly poor in material goods are wealthy in spiritual works of faith. Many of these have survived trials and testings that have really endeared them to the heart of Jehovah. Such ones indeed might be like the faithful Philippian of whom Paul wrote: “Give him the customary welcome in the Lord with all joy and keep holding men of such kind dear, because on account of the Lord’s work he came quite near to death, exposing his soul to danger.” (Phil. 2:29, 30, NW) Even if they have not had such experiences as this, all in Jehovah’s organization are dear to him and to slight one of these is to slight Jehovah himself or to question his wisdom in calling this servant to share in the blessings he pours out on all those whom he loves.

12. How is dissatisfaction with God’s channel shown by some who disrespect the organization?

¹² Some few who are associated with God’s visible organization are not satisfied with the light on God’s Word through his channel. These few lean toward private interpretation or even attempt to “read” into The Watchtower things never intended and then propagate these things as truth. Or they assume some conviction as based on the Scriptures, such as diet, ideas on chronology and the like, and then seek converts among Zion’s faithful children. Their course is like saying that Jehovah’s way is not right or sufficient and that The Watchtower is not complete for our time.

13. (a) How do some few attempt to “direct” the organization? (b) What should be the proper view toward servants, regardless of their age in years or in the truth?

¹³ Then there are some few who assume authority or endeavor to “direct” the organization. Some are very subtle in their schemes, seeking to influence the congregation’s service committee by working up a sort of “congregation opinion.” This they do by private little campaigns, advancing personal opinion until others become infected, and occasionally much difficulty is raised over trivial matters. Attempting to pressure those in responsible positions or attempting to advance personal interests or opinions is a political form of “lobbying,” which has no place among New-World-thinking servants of God. (Rom. 16:17, 18) A child who attempts to run a household is considered “unmanageable” and must be disciplined. So those who are inclined to prefer their own ideas to those advanced by the servants in the congregation, even though the complaining ones may be older in age and in years in God’s service, should humbly ask themselves: “How does the age of any of us compare with that of our ‘mother’ or to the eternalness of our Father?” Servants of the congregation, regardless of age, are there by theocratic appointment of Jehovah’s organization and in the discharge of their duties they are backed up by the experience and authority of the governing body and hence of Jehovah’s entire organization. While this should make the servant aware of the seriousness of his responsibility, at the same time it should make the complainer realize that it is this office representative of the “mother” organization that he is opposing. For this reason Peter admonishes us: “You younger men, be in subjection to the older men. But all of you gird yourselves with humility of mind toward one another.”—1 Pet. 5:5, NW.

14. Why is it not proper for each one in the congregation to be concerned with its problems of management?

¹⁴ Refusing to do so is the same as saying to the servants of the congregation: “That is enough of you, because the whole assembly are all of them holy and Jehovah is in their midst. Why, then, should you lift yourselves up above the congregation of Jehovah?” (Num. 16:3, NW) This was the course followed by Korah, Dathan and Abiram in opposition to Moses and Aaron, which led to disastrous results for them. True, Jehovah is in the midst of his people and pours out a rich blessing upon all for their faithful performance of their God-given commission. At the same time he has built up his theocratic organization and enthroned his King, who directs its affairs in an orderly way so that those assigned as “princes” to make decisions for the congregation will be able to shoulder that responsibility. Will Jehovah or his King be pressured into blessing a different arrangement? The congregation will not be left as it was in Israel when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” and the nation floundered into many fateful deflections. How thankful we can be that Jehovah has so protected us! Let each one of us, then, continue assuming his God-given commission to preach “this good news of the kingdom” and leave the management of congregational affairs to those assigned to that responsibility.

15. What example in respect for Jehovah’s organization is set by the branches throughout the world?

¹⁵ If the unity of the organization is to be maintained it is essential that the governing body be recognized and respected for the position that it occupies among God’s people today. This is the course followed by the branch organizations scattered throughout the world. Instead of maintaining independent little organizations of their own, they take important matters of policy to the governing body for decision, as did the apostle Paul in the important issue on circumcision and as did the various faithful assistants of Moses in the congregation of Israel.—Acts 15:2; Ex. 18:26.

16. In what way is proper respect for Jehovah’s organization not a matter of blindly following men?

¹⁶ This is not the blind following of men that Jesus warned about. When he said: “If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch,” he was referring to the unfaithful course of false religionists. (Matt. 15:14) He was referring to those gullible ones of Israel who accepted their leaders with no further recommendation than these blind guides’ own self-praise. At the same time he condemned the blind followers of those to come in Christendom who would not discern from God’s Word the requirements for men who lead and would not follow such for their works’ sake. This should emphasize the fact that all in Jehovah’s organization must be educated in theocratic activity and trained for positions of responsibility. That is because his organization is a theocratic society of ministers and not a hierarchy. When a vacancy occurs in one of the servant positions it is not filled by one brought in from outside the congregation, as one specially trained, but by one who has developed the necessary qualifications while serving as a regular part of the congregation and who has already demonstrated a faithfulness in discharging responsibility. For this reason each one in the organization learns theocratic procedure and seeks the position of an overseer, not by ambitiously endeavoring to secure the position of a brother faithfully performing that service, but by endeavoring to acquire through spiritual application those qualifications that would enable him to fulfill such a responsibility successfully if it fell to his lot.—Jas. 3:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13.

17. Why is proper subjection so important to the theocratic minister?

¹⁷ One of the outstanding requirements of true overseers is humility. So it is for our individual and combined theocratic advancement that Peter wrote: “For the Lord’s sake subject yourselves to every human creation: whether to a king [that is, Christ Jesus] as being superior or to governors [that is, his visible representatives, the “princes”] as being sent by him to inflict punishment on evildoers but to praise doers of good.”—1 Pet. 2:13, 14, NW.

Trust Your Proved, Faithful Brothers

“Be obedient to those who are governing you and be submissive.”—Heb. 13:17, NW.

1. Why does love for Jehovah’s organization not ensure against the possibility of showing disrespect?

A CHILD’S home training is evidenced by his behavior. The favorable record that has been established by the New World society, then, speaks well for the excellent instruction received from the great mother organization above. Outright opposition within the New World society is almost unknown. But that is no cause for complacency. Most children really love their parents, do they not? And yet does that mean they are never disrespectful? Even the best-trained and best-mannered children will offend in small ways once in a while, and children who disobey mother must be disciplined. Can you still hear mother say, “You just wait till your father gets home, young man!”? Well, remember our proverb: “Reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” So when we are disciplined by our heavenly Father through his wifely organization it is to instruct us and help us to grow up and become really mature Christians giving due honor to our Father and mother. Our Father holds mother responsible for our training and that is why Paul wrote: “Be obedient to those who are governing you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account, that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.”—Heb. 13:17, NW.

2. What effect on the organization does our conduct outside have?

² For this reason Paul admonished Titus, who had oversight of certain congregations: “Continue reminding them to be in subjection and be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, to be ready for every good work, to speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men.” (Titus 3:1, 2, NW) Certainly being “ready for every good work” would include conducting ourselves outside the organization in such a way that we would not bring reproach on our Father’s and our mother’s good name. We do not live our own lives any more. Our lives belong to God, who bought us with the blood of Jesus Christ. We are subject, therefore, to God through Christ, the chief one in God’s wifely organization, which is our mother. Hence, as parents are known by their children, to bring reproach on the visible New World society is to bring reproach on Jehovah God and Christ Jesus and on our mother.

3. How does gossip bring reproach upon the organization?

³ Then Paul says to “speak injuriously of no one.” Gossip puts our mother in a bad light. How is that? Because our brother is a part of God’s New World society, and if we speak of him injuriously it is the same as speaking against Christ, the chief member of the mother organization. Suppose our brother has really done something that is wrong. Will your exposing his nakedness and shame to others add to the respect due our mother? Into which of the two classes Jesus described at Matthew twenty-five do you think this action would fit—that of the “sheep” or that of the “goats,” those who fed and clothed him, or those who left him destitute? Gossip is even worse than just ignoring spiritual need, because to that need it adds reproach and shame. If you think one of mother’s children needs a spanking, do not try to do it behind his back with your own tongue. Take it in the right way to our Father through his organization and let Him administer what correction may be necessary. That is the respectful way. Besides, if you do not, you might even find yourself acting like the “goat” class!

4. Why is belligerence out of place in the New World society?

⁴ Paul says “not to be belligerent.” Have you ever noticed how some children are always ready for a fight? Nothing any of the other children do pleases them and everything they say is in a bossy, scolding tone of voice. Do you like such children? Certainly you do not. So why should we imitate such unruly adolescent traits as these? Why should we carry a chip around on our shoulder to fight if one knocks it off? Who really wants to be a juvenile delinquent in the New World society?

SUBJECTION IN A PRACTICAL WAY

5, 6. (a) How does criticism of servants demonstrate a lack of trust? (b) As to applying the Society’s counsel, how can making mental reservations be disastrous?

⁵ No, Paul urges “be reasonable,” that is, try to understand the theocratic way of doing things and get in harmony with it. There are some things that happen in the organization that we may not understand. The servants may take a course of action that we think is wrong. Now the unreasonable attitude would be to criticize. We may not, and most generally do not, know all the facts in the matter; but the unreasonable person will not consider that for a moment. He will immediately conclude that the course is all wrong just because he does not understand it. Well, few of us understand the facts of nuclear physics either, do we? But the hydrogen bomb certainly proves that the conclusions of its makers are real and substantial. So would we not be foolish to invite an explosion of a hydrogen bomb in our own back yard just because we do not understand it? Yet an unreasonable, disrespectful attitude within God’s family can be just as disastrous as setting off a hydrogen bomb.

⁶ Is it really as serious as that? Think for a moment. Consider what happened to Saul for disobedience. His neglect in discharging his theocratic assignment to vindicate Jehovah’s word and name brought him a just sentence at the hands of Jehovah’s representative, Samuel. (1 Sam. 15:1-3, 11, 22, 23) Ignoring counsel from headquarters or from the servants in the local congregation is negligence and a sign of disrespect for theocratic authorities. We may take the position that some instructions do not apply to us and may make some mental reservations as to the advisability of carrying them out, even though we might recognize that the suggestions embody sound Scriptural principles. In this way we give only partial support to the organization and the commission to preach “this good news of the kingdom.” We may assume that these instructions are only incidentals, that the important thing is ‘bringing the ark of Jehovah up into Jerusalem.’ David learned to his sorrow (and to Uzza’s death) that singing praise to Jehovah and good intentions are not enough to bring the full reward of Jehovah’s blessing. True worship must be performed according to the ordinance of Jehovah, and what might seem like minor details are important if they issue through the channel of God’s organization.—1 Chron. 13:6-10; 15:11-15.

7. (a) How can it be shown that trust in the governing body of God’s visible organization is not misplaced? (b) How is this trust demonstrated by all Kingdom publishers?

⁷ Respect for Jehovah’s organization means to trust our proved, faithful brothers. These are the ones who through much hardship and experience have demonstrated that the spirit of God is with them. The rich blessing that has been poured out upon the visible organization is evidence that the governing body and those who represent it are deserving of our full support and trust. This we can demonstrate only by accepting every provision as coming from the Lord through the “faithful and discreet slave.” It means that those who are selected as servants in the congregation should gladly accept their appointments as representatives of the Lord through the governing body and that they should faithfully discharge the obligations of their appointments as though it were the governing body itself acting. It means that all in the congregation should perform all their works with a recognition of theocratic counsel emanating from the true channel. It means engaging in the house-to-house work, making back-calls and conducting home Bible studies, and, particularly now, giving our full support to the magazine work. It means preparing ourselves thoroughly to participate in every special literature campaign that is arranged for by the Society. It means for those who are in position to do so to enroll as pioneers and for those who are already enrolled to consider seriously the special pioneer work if the opportunity is opened. It means supporting the Society with our material contributions as well. It means helping one another with a real spirit of brotherly love, constantly on the alert for an opportunity to show our appreciation to Jehovah and his motherly organization for their goodness to us. How better can this be done than by demonstrating our genuine affection for his children, our brothers?

8. How can disrespect for counsel through The Watchtower be shown, and what does it really amount to?

⁸ We all know we must always seek to advance in theocratic education and conduct. We constantly receive counsel from God’s organization through the columns of The Watchtower telling us how we should conduct ourselves in theocratic living. Now if we immediately forget these things and refuse to apply them in our daily lives—not even making the effort—how disrespectful that is of the teaching or law of our mother! It is not bringing the full tithe into Jehovah’s storehouse, and what rich blessings we miss thereby! (Mal. 3:10) Actually we are spurning Jehovah’s table, ignoring counsel, ‘forsaking our mother’s teaching.’ And while our course may not be sufficient for the visible organization to take action or perhaps even notice, still, our heavenly Father is not shortsighted and whatever action he takes is certain and sure.

UPBUILDING THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT

9. What significant part in helping along the work can each one in the organization play?

⁹ What an inspiration we have toward responsible ones in the house of God as expressed in the psalm of David: “Jehovah, I love the habitation of thy house, and the place where thy glory dwelleth.” (Ps. 26:8, AS) And when Jesus cleansed the temple of the money-changers “his disciples called to mind that it is written: ‘Zeal for your house will consume me.’” (John 2:17, NW) Some may feel they have an insignificant place in Jehovah’s house of worship, yet they can be reassured of the importance they play if they maintain a prayerful attitude. The words of Paul demonstrate this: “You also can help along by your supplication for us, in order that thanks may be given by many in our behalf for what is kindly given to us due to many upturned faces.” (2 Cor. 1:11, NW) Our trust of our proved, faithful brothers is not misplaced, as they echo the earnest petition of Paul: “Carry on prayer for us, for we trust we have an honest conscience, as we wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things.”—Heb. 13:18, NW.

10. How does being overly sensitive or easily offended manifest disrespect and lack of trust?

¹⁰ In the other direction, too, Paul says to be reasonable by “exhibiting all mildness toward all men,” or, as he puts it in his letter to the Ephesians (4:2, NW), “putting up with one another in love.” That includes not being touchy, overly sensitive or easily offended. But how would these reactions be disrespectful to the organization? Psalm 119:165 (AS) says: “Great peace have they that love thy law; and they have no occasion of stumbling.” Remember, when you are inclined to be upset by a brother, he may be entirely wrong in what he has done, but two wrongs do not make a right. If we become offended or are stumbled at what he has done, we become sharers in wrongdoing by showing disrespect for God’s law. On the other hand, we can show respect for God’s Word by taking the Scriptural course, going to him personally and straightening it out. If that does not succeed, then we can show confidence in the organization by enlisting the aid of mature brothers or even the congregation servants, if necessary, to clear up the matter.

11. How is the health and spirit of the congregation as a community maintained through proper subjection?

¹¹ Coming out of the old world with its contentions and self-interest we may sometimes be inclined to forget that we are now living as a New World society. That means we are a community to ourselves. We do not need the law courts and arbitration boards of this corrupt and dying world. We have God’s spirit and his love and that will be maintained only if we continue to uphold his arrangements for us. We must take an active interest in all the affairs of the Society, doing our utmost to uphold the community of the congregation by eagerly participating in every feature of its stimulating program of theocratic activity. We are keenly aware of all the factors that make for community health or that lead to a dampening of the community spirit, and we should all strive diligently to maintain the unity of the congregation in the bonds of peace. It is this same spirit of united interest that Paul spoke of when he wrote of the closeness of the anointed remnant: “If one member suffers, all the other members suffer with it; or if a member is glorified, all the other members rejoice with it.” (1 Cor. 12:26, NW) “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” was the song of David. (Ps. 133:1, AS) It was to maintain this spirit that Paul wrote further to the Ephesians (5:21, NW): “Be in subjection to one another in fear of Christ.” How much better to trust our brothers than to show disrespect for the organization by spurning its help and allowing seeds of discord to take root!

12. How is the community spirit built up by proper habits of cleanliness, and how can all share?

¹² Jehovah’s witnesses are noted for their cleanliness and orderliness. It has been a source of continual amazement to outsiders to see the way convention grounds are kept. Not only are crews organized to clean up the place, but all in attendance make a special effort to assist by not throwing wastepaper and other refuse around the grounds. Each one assumes a definite responsibility for the reputation of the organization and takes delight in a clean and wholesome atmosphere in which to hold the meetings of praise to Jehovah, recognizing that Jehovah himself is present representatively. This is true of the local Kingdom Halls as well. Sometimes, however, thoughtlessness on the part of some in their local congregation can be a sign of disrespect for the organization. How so? By neglecting to take a turn at regular and systematic cleaning of the hall, or by allowing children to clutter up the aisles with paper. Although such occurrences are rare, children have been seen to scribble on the walls or songbooks belonging to the congregation without interference from the parents, and some older members of the congregation have been known to write on the territory maps. All property of the congregation is Kingdom property and should be treated with the respect that is due all Kingdom interests. With few exceptions those of the New World society are as interested in keeping the Kingdom Hall as clean and neat as they are their own homes, which are always a representation of clean-minded, New-World-living people. Servants of the congregation are always ministering in our behalf; so when they approach us with an opportunity to assist the congregation in one of these additional ways we should do all in our power to co-operate with them. As Paul put it: “May you also keep submitting yourselves to persons of that kind and to everyone cooperating and laboring. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize men of that kind.”—1 Cor. 16:16, 18, NW.

13. Why is the habit of coming late to meetings or being inattentive a matter of disrespectful thoughtlessness?

¹³ Then, too, have you ever seriously considered the habit some have of coming late to meetings or being inattentive during the sessions? Take our example of the child again. Suppose, this time, that Junior made a habit of always coming to the dinner table after the meal was started and after thanks had been given for the food. Suppose he never bothered to wash his hands or comb his hair—was never really prepared for the meal—and then sat at the table and just pushed the food around his plate, food that you had worked so hard to prepare, even refusing to pass anything. Suppose you had a guest for dinner that night; would you feel proud of Junior? Would you not, rather, be mortified at his inconsiderate, disrespectful attitude? And yet, we have a guest, yes, more than a guest, at all our congregation’s spiritual feasts. Not just the stranger or newly interested person of good will who attends, but our Lord Jesus Christ, who said: “Where there are two or three met together in my name, there I am in their midst.” Not one of Jehovah’s witnesses would deliberately insult either our heavenly Father or his motherly organization, would he? Then why should we do it by our thoughtlessness? Our brothers have worked hard and spent many busy hours preparing the spiritual feasts our heavenly Father has provided for us. And they continue to do it gladly, too, because by far the majority of the New World society are heeding Paul’s counsel to the Thessalonians: “Now we request you, brothers, to have regard for those who are working hard among you and presiding over you in the Lord and admonishing you, and to give them more than extraordinary consideration in love because of their work.”—Matt. 18:20; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13, NW.

RELYING ON JEHOVAH’S DIRECTIVE POWER

14. Why is it safe to trust our proved, faithful brothers and what should be our attitude if we believe something has gone wrong?

¹⁴ Showing respect for Jehovah’s organization really resolves itself down to our attitude toward God’s visible channel and the trust that we place in our proved, faithful brothers. If we have become thoroughly convinced that this is Jehovah’s organization, that he is guiding and directing his people, then we shall not be unsettled by anything that happens. If something comes up that we do not understand we will wait patiently until it is made thoroughly clear to us. If we feel sure something is wrong we will ‘keep the commandment’ of our Father and take whatever theocratic steps are open to us and then wait on Jehovah. We will not ‘forsake our mother’s teaching’ by immediately beginning to criticize and find fault. We will realize that Jehovah knows what is going on in his organization, and if he is willing to permit it, who are we to insist it should be different? If we really have faith, we will know that if it is wrong he will straighten it out eventually, and we are far safer inside his organization even with these minor difficulties than we would be on the outside where only chaos and destruction await us.

15, 16. What reasons has Jehovah given us for praising him and our motherly organization?

¹⁵ When we consider the tender care of our heavenly Father as manifested through his loving, motherly organization, how can our hearts but be refreshed and warmed with an overflowing appreciation? When we taste the rich and sumptuous food he provides and observe the careful attention to detail with which our mother has served it, how can we speak anything but praise for such worthy parents? And when we truly see the great motherly organization of God arrayed with the heavenly light of truth and righteousness, walking in the pathway of divine light, with perfect organizational light brightening and adorning her mind, how happily we can exclaim: ‘This woman is the spouse of the universal King of whom it is written, “God is light,” and in her heavenly position she can worthily bring forth his royal heavenly creation.’ What a privilege to be her children and to share in the beautiful name she bears, “Jehovah our righteousness”! (Jer. 33:16, AS) And what a joy is ours in reflecting on high the divine light beaming down upon us from her royal person as we welcome all lowly-hearted ones from the dark corners of the world to come out into the brightness of Jehovah’s pleasure and bask in the warmth of his smiling approval!

¹⁶ With thankful hearts we acknowledge God’s mercy and gratefully and willingly show our respect for Jehovah’s organization, for she is our mother and the beloved wife of our heavenly Father, Jehovah God.

Use Theocratic War Strategy

A WITNESS of Jehovah was going from house to house in Eastern Germany when she met a violent opposer. Knowing at once what to expect she changed her red blouse for a green one in the very next hallway. No sooner had she appeared on the street than a Communist officer asked her if she had seen a woman with a red blouse. No, she replied, and went on her way. Did she tell a lie? No, she did not. She was not a liar. Rather, she was using theocratic war strategy, hiding the truth by action and word for the sake of the ministry.

In this she had good Scriptural precedent. Did not Rahab hide the Israelite spies by both action and word? Did not Abraham, Isaac, David and others likewise hide the truth at times when faced with a hostile enemy? They certainly did, and never do we read a word of censure for their doing so. Rather, we read of their being termed exemplary servants of Jehovah. Their actions were in line with Jesus’ wise counsel: “Look! I am sending you forth as sheep amidst wolves; therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.”—Matt. 10:16, NW.a

Perhaps some will wonder as to where the line is to be drawn between use of theocratic war strategy in hiding the truth and the telling of lies. First of all, let it be noted that whenever one takes an oath to tell the truth he is obligated to do so. By dedicating himself to do God’s will each Christian has taken a vow or made an oath to do God’s will and to be faithful to him. To this oath he certainly must be true. Likewise, when a Christian is placed on a witness stand he is obligated to speak the truth if he speaks at all. At times he may prefer to refuse to speak and suffer the consequences rather than betray his brothers or the interests of God’s work. And, of course, there is no occasion for use of war strategy when dealing with our Christian brothers. In dealing with them we tell the truth or tactfully remind them that what they seek to know does not concern them.

Lies are untruths told for selfish reasons and which work injury to others. Satan told a lie to Eve that worked great harm to her and all the human race. Ananias and Sapphira told lies for selfish reasons. But hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not harm him, especially when he would use such information to harm others who are innocent.

A great work is being done by the witnesses even in lands where their activity is banned. The only way they can fulfill the command to preach the good news of God’s kingdom is by use of theocratic war strategy. By underground methods the literature is brought into the country and distributed. Would it make sense to hide