Jesus Christ told us that we had to preach the Kingdom. (Matt. 10:7; 28:19-20) And, like a good leader, he did not make us do something that he himself would not do, unlike the hypocritical pharisees. (Luke 4:43; 8:1; Matt. 23:2, 4) In fact, he knew without a doubt that he could trust his followers to complete this work. - Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10
When we think about the seven million plus Christian's that undertake this monumental task, though, what do we think about? Well, the Governing Body tells us all of the time how enthusiastic Jehovah's Witnesses are when doing this work. Is this actually the case? Are you enthusiastic out in the field ministry? Do you want to do this work or do you feel like it is more of a burden?
While there are in fact many Christians who want to do the preaching-work, there are others who are less then enthusiastic or even downright don't like to participate. Is this an indication of spiritual weakness on their part?
We all know that the preaching-work is a command, really, and that no commandments of Jesus or Jehovah are burdensome. (Matt. 11:28-30; 1 John 5:3) So, then, why do so many Jehovah's Witnesses fell burdened with this work? Maybe the Bible can help us to figure this out.
Proclaiming messages from or for Jehovah is not new. The first person in the Bible to preach was fearless even unto death. That person was Enoch. Concerning him the Bible says, "Enoch prophesied...when he said: 'Look! Jehovah came with his holy myriads, to execute judgment against all, and to convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly deeds that they did in an ungodly way, and concerning all the shocking things that ungodly sinners spoke against him.' " (Jude 13-14; Gen. 5:21-24; Heb. 11:5) Then we have Noah who the Bible calls "a preacher of righteousness." (2 Pet. 2:5) He built an ark at Jehovah's command and did all that he could to help others see the need to come aboard with him. - Gen. 6:13-16, 22
Moses was someone else who had to speak for Jehovah. He was sent before the most powerful man in the world to tell him that he had to free the Israelites from bondage. (Ex. 3:10) He even had to go before the those same Israelites and convince them that he was indeed sent from Jehovah. (Ex. 3:13-18) This was not an easy task. Moses did it, though.
In the times of King Hezekiah of Judah, that righteous king made it his duty to hold a Passover to Jehovah and invite as many people as possible. He set up a campaign to do this. Regarding this the Bible says, "At the king's command, couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the king and from his officials...The couriers went from town to town in Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun, but the people scorned and ridiculed them. Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD." (2 Chron. 30:6, 10-12, New International Version) The joy that resulted from this Passover was tremendous.
Even when we look at the prophets of Israel, we can see how fearlessly they proclaimed Jehovah's messages. Jeremiah described his desire to do Jehovah's work as "a burning fire shut up in [his] bones." (Jer. 20:9) We can be sure that all of the prophets had that burning desire to do Jehovah's will and Jehovah blessed them for it. (Isa. 6:1, 8) Yes, even the angels wanted to do Jehovah's will. - 2 Chron. 18:19-21; Dan. 9:20-21
However, there were people who were less then enthusiastic about doing Jehovah's will. A good example of this was Jonah. He completely ran the other way when Jehovah told him to go to Nineveh and proclaim a judgment message. Despite Jonah's reluctance, Jehovah still used him and even when Jonah's preaching produced fine results, Jonah was still upset. Even though, the Bible does not speak negatively of Jonah. - Jon. 1:1-3; 3:4-7; 4:1-4
When Jesus formed the Christian Congregation in the first-century, the command to preach was not neglected. With the help of holy spirit, the Christians then were able to preach despite persecution. (Acts 2:14-42; 8:1, 4) Philip the Evangelist was such a zealous brother that Jehovah used him many times to speak to people about the good news. Each of these yielded fine results. - Acts 8:5-6, 12-13, 34-39
The Apostle Paul was someone who was someone set aside specifically for people of the nations, although he was not to neglect any Jews who showed interest in the good news. Indeed, he would "by any means incite those who are [his] own flesh and blood to jealousy and save some from among them." (Rom. 11:13-14) His main concern was the preaching work, saying the words that all of us should know and repeat daily: "Woe is me if I did not declare the good news." - 1 Cor. 9:16
Paul's knew that his preaching helped him be "clean from the blood of all man." (Acts 20:26) It also helped him to know that he was approved by God. Yes, not preaching would have incurred bloodguilt and Jehovah's disfavor. (1 Cor. 9:27) The one thing that we all neglect in reference to the Apostle Paul's preaching activity is that, while he did it freely, if he had done it "against [his] will" then he would still have had "a stewardship entrusted to him." - 1 Cor. 9:17
No matter the circumstances, not only Paul but all the Christian's preached the good news everywhere they went. The disciple Stephen preached to the entire Sanhedrin although he knew that it would probably mean his death. (Acts 6:8-13; 7:2-60) When faced with severe beatings, jail and death, the Christians remained faithful to their commission. - Acts 12:1-5; 14:19-21; 16:25-32
How did the early Christians manage to do this? Jesus Christ said, "You will receive power when the holy spirit arrives upon you, and you will be witnesses of me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the most distant part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) Yes, it was only by the power of the holy spirit that this work was able to be completed. In those days, the holy spirit was very active. - Acts 9:31; 13:2-4, 52; 15:28; 16:6; 19:6; 20:28; 21:10-11
Is the holy spirit active today?
How is the world-wide preaching work being done today? Is Jehovah's spirit active among us as Jehovah's Witnesses, declarers of the good news? That is a hard question. The visible evidence suggests that it is and who am I to declare otherwise? On the other hand, the dislike for the ministry on the part of some of our brothers - and believe me, many brothers do not like the ministry - leaves my mind somewhat confused on the matter.
If the ministry was loved as much as the Writing Department at Bethel would have us believe, why are there so many articles encouraging us to do more in the ministry? Is it perhaps that the number of irregular publishers is at an alarming high?
I have heard rumors of brothers (and when I say brothers I am referring to brothers and sisters) who have falsified their time reports. I know brothers who always quit service after only an hour in the ministry on a Saturday morning.
Back in the seventies, there was "new light" and it was taught that sacred service was more then just the preaching activity, like it has previously been thought. Now sacred service was anything that Jehovah required of you as brought out in the Bible. The Watchtower Aug. 1, 1977 said this:
"Sacred service also includes doing good to others, sharing things—how we live our lives each day. Our conduct at work, for example, reflects on our worship of God. As Colossians 3:23, 24 says: 'Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance. Slave for the Master, Christ.' This would include every facet of our lives—in our witnessing to others, at home, at work—it all reflects on how we respond to Jehovah’s direction.
"For example, both men and women have certain God-given responsibilities and assignments to perform within the family circle. Those who recognize Jehovah’s direction in their lives see the applying and the carrying out of such heavenly instruction as a part of their sacred service in the sight of God. Thus Colossians 3:18-22 (Good News for Modern Man) reminds us: 'Wives, be obedient to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God. Parents, do not irritate your children, or they might become discouraged. Slaves [today, employees], obey your human masters in all things, and do it not only when they are watching you, just to gain their approval, but do it with a sincere heart, because of your reverence for the Lord.'
"Thus a woman’s devoted care for her family is a part of her sacred service, since Jehovah has given her that assignment. And she should be whole-souled in carrying it out as befits an assignment from God. (Prov. 31:15, 27) The same is true of the husband, for he must carry out his assigned role to provide things needful and to give loving oversight to the family. So wives’ obedience to husbands, husbands’ love for wives, children’s obeying parents—all should be whole-souled to be pleasing to Jehovah."
When people found out that their sacred service to Jehovah involved all aspects of their life, being good employees, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, children, Christians, they reasoned that this meant they could spread their time evenly between these duties and their duties as a Christian, namely, the ministry. Hours spent preaching dropped. Although I was not in the Truth at this time, I have spoken to many who were.
In a few years, the Society realized this was a problem so in The Watchtower of Aug. 15, 1980 reneged on that previous understanding and went back to the original.
"When all Christian witnesses of Jehovah do what the apostle Paul instructs them to do in Romans 13:1-7, they are doing only what is required of all other citizens or alien residents of a country. Properly we do so as good and orderly persons, and this keeps us from getting into trouble with the “superior authorities.” We also do so with a higher motivation, that is, to keep a good conscience and an appreciation of what is right and fitting. But our now acting in this way under the name of Christian witnesses of Jehovah does not automatically change our proper conduct into the Scriptural 'sacred service.' All other law-abiding citizens do the same things, even without the same motivations that we have. So how do we differ in these respects?
"However, suppose the authorities of the land forbid us to carry on our worship as Christian witnesses of Jehovah? What now if we take up the words of the apostles of Christ: 'We must obey God as ruler rather than men'? (Acts 5:29) Our continuing to do what all other citizens do not do, in order to obey what God orders his dedicated, baptized witnesses to do keeps what we are doing a service sacred to him. This holds true even though the authorities and other citizens of the land may denounce it as illegal, lawless.
"For instance, God’s Word commands: 'Let us hold fast the public declaration of our hope without wavering, for he is faithful that promised. And let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom. but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.'—Heb. 10:23-25
"Undeniably our obedience to this inspired exhortation, even though we suffer for it at men’s hands, is a sacred service to the Supreme Being, Jehovah God. Let the displeased 'superior authorities' of the land brand it as they choose to do, legalistically.—2 Tim. 2:8-10"
This "new light" made sacred service only our preaching activity. The hours went up and the Governing Body was pleased.
Further back, when the preaching work "virtually stopped", as the Society says in our publications, it wasn't until Rutherford and his associates were released from prison that it started back up again. It seemed the brothers needed a visual figure leading the way. Even before that, when it was first becoming mandatory for brothers to preach to be considered in the truth, many left because they just didn't want to do it.
What a contrast between the first-century Christians and modern-day Christians. The holy spirit was working through those ones in an obvious way but, for us today, could it be said it is less obvious? And if the holy spirit isn't as active today is it was back then, the fault only lies with us and the Governing Body. How so?
Many of our brothers and sisters preach because it is required of them. They do the bare minimum to remain in the truth and keep their good standing in the congregation. Others who are pioneers go out to get their hours instead of to actually please Jehovah in the field ministry. How often do we hear such ones talk about needing a long day so they can get the required hours before the end of the month? I, for one, hear it quite often and am displeased whenever I hear it.
Also not uncommon, is to hear of people who pioneer because they feel pressured into it. About six years ago I read a few random pages from a book by an ex-Witness sister who was a stay-at-home mom. She had been pioneering for two or three years because other sisters would speak negatively of her, complaining that she was weak because she could spend her free time in the ministry as a pioneer but wasn't doing and and, oh, if only they had the time she had!
An experience closer to home was when a sister that I worked under lost her job, she told me that she didn't really have to work because her husband made enough money to support the family on his own but she worked because she liked it. When another sister in the congregation expressed worry over this first sister losing her job, I, not really thinking about it, repeated what I had been told. The demeanor of this second sister completely changed. She said, "I thought she was a good sister. If she doesn't have to work then she should be pioneering!"
People today feel forced to take part in an activity that they would rather not, even though it is a command, which they know. Why do they do it despite finding no joy in it? In short, fear of what their brothers and sisters in the Truth will think or say about them if they went out for five hours a month instead of ten. Can the holy spirit bless this situation with more of a burning zeal?
Another reason we may not have the holy spirit to the extent that the first-century Christians have is because, many times, our spirituality and, therefore, the amount of privileges we have is based entirely on how many hours we get in the ministry. If we get fewer hours, we're supposedly spiritually weak and less trustworthy for congregational privileges.
Where, though, is the command to report our time in the field ministry? The Society many times will allude to Mark 6:30 as "Scriptural" backup for reporting time. What they fail to remember though is this Scriptural counsel: "Take good care not to practice your righteousness in front of men in order to be observed by them; otherwise you will have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. Hence when you go making gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, just as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to you, They are having their reward in full. But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you." - Matt. 6:1-4
Doing the preaching work in this environment is not conducive to success. We are doing it, really, based on our own power and because of being leaned on by man. We can never succeed. The preaching work, and any form of service to Jehovah, is viewed as a necessary burden that has to be shouldered.
That is exactly what the Israelites felt about the Law. They viewed it as 600+ rules that had to followed rigidly. They would tell themselves, "Okay, I can do this, I can't do this. I can do that, I can't do that." That is how they saw Jehovah's Law and that is how they followed Jehovah's Law.
In actuality, the Israelite's should have known all along that they couldn't follow Jehovah's Law. It was impossible and yet they tried anyway. This led to miserable failure on their part. If they had only realized from the beginning that they couldn't do it on their own and had faith that Jehovah would help them then things may have turned out differently for them. That is why the Apostle Paul said, "Israel, although pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to the law. For what reason? Because he pursued it, not by faith, but as by works." - Rom. 9:31-32
We have the same problem today. Instead of learning from the Israelite's example, since all this was written "for our instruction," we ignore it and again try to follow Jehovah by works instead of faith. (Rom. 15:4) We have to understand that we cannot follow Jehovah's perfect expectation without His help. When we are forced to do it like we are, we view it as a burden and we begin to dread it.
Brothers, we are breaking all of the rules and Jehovah's spirit cannot have a part in that. We have to come back to Jehovah's way. When we follow an Organization run by man, we leave off the path Jehovah tells us to follow for an unknown path. Jehovah is no longer our shepherd but a man is. - Ps. 23:1
How can we change this course we are on?
Can we return to Jehovah? Well, how can we return to Him if we had never drawn close to Him in the first place? What do I mean?
Jehovah says to us through the Apostle James, "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones." (James 4:8) How can we "draw close to God" and why do I wonder if we ever did in the first place?
In a recent news report about our "Keep on the Watch" district convention the news reporter said at the end we will have "just an analytical approach, [we] promise, to let people know why the end is near." Unfortunately, this is how we do everything.
At John 17:3 we read, "This means everlasting life. Their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." The English Standard Version of the Bible translates John 17:3 this way: "This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (Other Bibles read similarly.) The Amplified Bible explains further, saying, "to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand." Which translation of this verse is better?
While many have probably never thought about it, probably reading this verse out of many translations at the door, the wording in the New World Translation is inferior to the wording in the other versions of God's Word. How so?
Pick your favorite actor, actress, or musician. How much do you know about them? Do you know their first, middle, and last name? Do you know their life story? Do you know their birthday? Favorite color? Favorite food? Likes and dislikes? Have you ever met them?
No matter how much knowledge you have about someone, you still don't know them. You may know all of the above information regarding your favorite actor or singer but you are not friends with them. You have to get to know them or you are just another fan. That is what we are in regards to Jehovah. We are fans. We'll cheer when He walks down the red carpet but we won't feel His emotions when someone He loves hurts Him like the angels in Noah's day or the wayward Israelite's did. We can't really feel His pain when Jesus died or empathize with Him like a close friend would.
Everything we do at our meetings is entirely analytical. We learn about Jehovah and the Bible but we never get to know Jehovah. This, in turn, weakens our resolve to do all we can in the preaching word for Jehovah. Our worship of Jehovah is based on works and knowledge, not faith and relationships.
Until that changes, we'll be walking down the same path, heading nowhere. Let us change that, starting today. Stop looking at the Bible with an analytical approach, trying to gain intelligence about God's Book. Stop looking at it with physical eyes and look at it with spiritual eyes. We're lost until then.
With Sincere Christian Love and Affection,
Brother Ebed Abodah
No comments:
Post a Comment