What Went Wrong?
God gave our first parents, Adam and Eve, a perfect start. They had perfect bodies and minds and a paradise garden for a home. If they had submitted to God's rule, they would have remained perfect and happy. In time, they would have been the parents of an entire perfect, happy human family living on a paradise earth. That was God's purpose for the human race. - Genesis 1:27-29; 2:15.
However, our original ancestors misused their free will. They wrongly thought that they could be successful independent of God, of their own free will, they stepped outside the boundaries of his laws. (Genesis, chapter 3) Because they rejected his rulership, he no longer was obligated to sustain them in perfection. 'They acted ruinously on their own part, did not remain his children, and the defect was their own.' - Deuteronomy 32:5.
From the time they disobeyed God, Adam and Eve began to degenerate in body and mind. With Jehovah is the source of life. (Psalm 36:9) So because of cutting themselves off from Jehovah, the first human couple became imperfect and eventually died. (Genesis 3:19) Consistent with laws of genetic inheritance, their offspring could receive only what their parents themselves possessed. And what was that? It was imperfection and death. The apostle Paul therefore wrote: "Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Next time: The Main Issue - Sovereignty
10.29.2004
10.25.2004
Whose Law?
Whose law was to determine the proper limits of freedom? The answer to this question has to do with the fundamental reason why God has permitted suffering. Since God created humans, he knows best what laws they need to obey for their own good and for the good of others. The Bible puts it this way: "I Jehovah, am your God, the one teaching you to benefit yourself, the one causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk." - Isaiah 48:17.
Clearly, a vital point is this: Humans were not created to be independent of God. He made them in such a way that their success and happiness depend on obedience tohis righteous laws. God's prophet Jeremiah said: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is, walking even to direct his step." - Jeremiah 10:23.
God made mankind subject to his physical laws, such as the law of gravity. Similarly, he made humans to be subject to his moral laws, which are designed to result in a harmonious society. For good reason, then, God's Word urges: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5.
Thus, the human family could never be independent from him, people would devise social, economic, political, and religious systems that would conflict with one another, and 'man would dominate man to his injury.' - Ecclesiastes 8:9.
Next time: What Went Wrong?
Whose law was to determine the proper limits of freedom? The answer to this question has to do with the fundamental reason why God has permitted suffering. Since God created humans, he knows best what laws they need to obey for their own good and for the good of others. The Bible puts it this way: "I Jehovah, am your God, the one teaching you to benefit yourself, the one causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk." - Isaiah 48:17.
Clearly, a vital point is this: Humans were not created to be independent of God. He made them in such a way that their success and happiness depend on obedience tohis righteous laws. God's prophet Jeremiah said: "I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is, walking even to direct his step." - Jeremiah 10:23.
God made mankind subject to his physical laws, such as the law of gravity. Similarly, he made humans to be subject to his moral laws, which are designed to result in a harmonious society. For good reason, then, God's Word urges: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5.
Thus, the human family could never be independent from him, people would devise social, economic, political, and religious systems that would conflict with one another, and 'man would dominate man to his injury.' - Ecclesiastes 8:9.
Next time: What Went Wrong?
10.22.2004
The Gift Of Free Will
When God created the first human, he produced more than just a body with a brain. Further, God did not create Adam and Eve to be mindless robots. He implanted in them the faculty of free will. And that was a fine gift, for "God saw everything he had made and, look! It was very good." (Genesis 1:31) Yes, "perfect is his activity." (Deuteronomy 32:4) All of us appreciated this gift of free will because we do no want all our thoughts and actions dictated to us without ever having a choice in anything.
However, was the fine gift of free will to be used without limits? In directions given to early Christians, God's Word answers: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God." (1 Peter 2:16) For the common good, there must be boundaries. Hence, free will was to be regulated by the rule of law. Otherwise, anarchy would result.
Next time: Whose Law?
When God created the first human, he produced more than just a body with a brain. Further, God did not create Adam and Eve to be mindless robots. He implanted in them the faculty of free will. And that was a fine gift, for "God saw everything he had made and, look! It was very good." (Genesis 1:31) Yes, "perfect is his activity." (Deuteronomy 32:4) All of us appreciated this gift of free will because we do no want all our thoughts and actions dictated to us without ever having a choice in anything.
However, was the fine gift of free will to be used without limits? In directions given to early Christians, God's Word answers: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for badness, but as slaves of God." (1 Peter 2:16) For the common good, there must be boundaries. Hence, free will was to be regulated by the rule of law. Otherwise, anarchy would result.
Next time: Whose Law?
10.20.2004
God's Permission Of Suffering Nears Its End
Everywhere you look, there is suffering. Some people bring it on themselves. They contract sexually transmitted diseases or experience the effects of drug and alcohol abuse or of smoking. Or they may encounter health problems because of poor eating habits. However, much suffering results from factors or events beyond the control of the average person: war, ethnic violence, crime, poverty, famine, disease. Something else that humans basically cannot control is suffering related to aging an death.
The Bible assures us that "God is Love." (I John 4:8) Why, then, has a loving God allowed all this suffering to continue for so many centuries? When will he remedy the situation? To answer such questions, we need to examine God's purpose with regard to humans. This will help us to understand why God has allowed suffering and what he will do about it.
Next time: The Gift Of Free Will
Everywhere you look, there is suffering. Some people bring it on themselves. They contract sexually transmitted diseases or experience the effects of drug and alcohol abuse or of smoking. Or they may encounter health problems because of poor eating habits. However, much suffering results from factors or events beyond the control of the average person: war, ethnic violence, crime, poverty, famine, disease. Something else that humans basically cannot control is suffering related to aging an death.
The Bible assures us that "God is Love." (I John 4:8) Why, then, has a loving God allowed all this suffering to continue for so many centuries? When will he remedy the situation? To answer such questions, we need to examine God's purpose with regard to humans. This will help us to understand why God has allowed suffering and what he will do about it.
Next time: The Gift Of Free Will
10.12.2004
"A Town Is Exalted"
Further contrasting the effect of the upright and the wicked on a community, Solomon states: " Because of the blessing of the upright ones a town is exalted, but because of the mouth of the wicked ones it gets torn down." Proverbs 11:11
Townspeople who follow an upright course promote peace and well-being and build up others in the community. Thus, a town is exalted-it prospers. Those who speak slanderous, hurtful, and wrong things cause unrest, unhappiness, disunity and trouble. This is particularly so if these individuals are in a position of influence. Such a town suffers disorder, corruption and moral and perhaps economic deterioration.
The principle stated at Proverbs 11:11 applies with equal force to Jehovah's people as they associate with one another in their townlike congregations. A congregation in which spiritual people-upright ones led by their integrity-have influence is an assembly of happy, active, and helpful people, bring honor to God. Jehovah blesses the congregation, and it prospers spiritually. Here and there, the few who may be disgruntled and dissatisfied, who find fault and speak bitterly about the ways things are done, are like a "poisonous root" that can spread and poison others who initially were unaffected. (Hebrews 12:15) Such ones often want more authority and prominence. They stir up rumors that there is injustice, ethnic prejudice or the like, in the congregation or on the part of the elders. Their mouth, indeed, can cause a division in the congregation. Should we not turn a deaf ear to their talk and strive too be spiritual people who contribute to peace and unity in the congregation?
Continuing, Solomon says: " The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman, but the man of broad discernment is one that keeps silent. The one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter." Proverbs 11:12, 13. What great harm is cause by someone who lacks good judgment, or is "in want of heart!" He carries on his loose talk to the point of slander or reviling. The appointed elders must be quick to put an end to such an unwholesome influence. Unlike "the one in what of heart, a man of discernment knows when to keep silent. Rather than betray a confidence, he covers over the matter. Know that an unguarded tongue can cause much harm, a discerning person is "faithful in spirit." He is loyal to fellow believers and does not divulge confidential matters that might endanger them. what a blessing such integrity-keepers are to the congregation!
To help us walk in the way of the blameless ones, Jehovah provides an abundant supply of spiritual food prepared under the direction of " the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) We also receive much personal assistance through Christian elders in our townlike congregations. (Ephesians 4:11-13) We are indeed grateful for these, for "when there is no skillful direction, the people fall: but there is salvation in the multitude of counselors." (Proverbs 11:14) Come what may, let us be firmly determined to 'walk in our integrity.' - Psalm 26:1.
Further contrasting the effect of the upright and the wicked on a community, Solomon states: " Because of the blessing of the upright ones a town is exalted, but because of the mouth of the wicked ones it gets torn down." Proverbs 11:11
Townspeople who follow an upright course promote peace and well-being and build up others in the community. Thus, a town is exalted-it prospers. Those who speak slanderous, hurtful, and wrong things cause unrest, unhappiness, disunity and trouble. This is particularly so if these individuals are in a position of influence. Such a town suffers disorder, corruption and moral and perhaps economic deterioration.
The principle stated at Proverbs 11:11 applies with equal force to Jehovah's people as they associate with one another in their townlike congregations. A congregation in which spiritual people-upright ones led by their integrity-have influence is an assembly of happy, active, and helpful people, bring honor to God. Jehovah blesses the congregation, and it prospers spiritually. Here and there, the few who may be disgruntled and dissatisfied, who find fault and speak bitterly about the ways things are done, are like a "poisonous root" that can spread and poison others who initially were unaffected. (Hebrews 12:15) Such ones often want more authority and prominence. They stir up rumors that there is injustice, ethnic prejudice or the like, in the congregation or on the part of the elders. Their mouth, indeed, can cause a division in the congregation. Should we not turn a deaf ear to their talk and strive too be spiritual people who contribute to peace and unity in the congregation?
Continuing, Solomon says: " The one in want of heart has despised his own fellowman, but the man of broad discernment is one that keeps silent. The one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk, but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter." Proverbs 11:12, 13. What great harm is cause by someone who lacks good judgment, or is "in want of heart!" He carries on his loose talk to the point of slander or reviling. The appointed elders must be quick to put an end to such an unwholesome influence. Unlike "the one in what of heart, a man of discernment knows when to keep silent. Rather than betray a confidence, he covers over the matter. Know that an unguarded tongue can cause much harm, a discerning person is "faithful in spirit." He is loyal to fellow believers and does not divulge confidential matters that might endanger them. what a blessing such integrity-keepers are to the congregation!
To help us walk in the way of the blameless ones, Jehovah provides an abundant supply of spiritual food prepared under the direction of " the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45) We also receive much personal assistance through Christian elders in our townlike congregations. (Ephesians 4:11-13) We are indeed grateful for these, for "when there is no skillful direction, the people fall: but there is salvation in the multitude of counselors." (Proverbs 11:14) Come what may, let us be firmly determined to 'walk in our integrity.' - Psalm 26:1.
10.08.2004
"A Town Is Elated"
The integrity of the upright and the wickedness of evildoers also have an effect on other people. "By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin," says the king of Israel, "but by knowledge are the righteous rescued." (Proverbs 11:9) Who will deny that slander, harmful gossip, obscene talk, and idle chatter are damaging to others? A righteous one's speech, on the other hand, is pure, well-thought out, and considerate. By knowledge he is rescued because his integrity furnishes him with the points of reasoning needed to show that his accusers are lying.
"Because of the goodness of the righteous ones a town is elated," continues the king, "but when the wicked ones perish there is a joyful cry." (Proverbs 11:10) The righteous generally are loved by others, and they make their neighbors feel elated-happy and joyful. No one is really fond of "wicked ones." When the wicked die, they are not usually mourned by people in general. There certainly will be no sorrow when Jehovah 'cuts off the wicked from the earth and tears away the treacherous from it.' (Proverbs 2:21. 22) Rather, there will be joy because they have been removed from the scene. But what about us? We do well to consider if the way we conduct ourselves contributes to the joy of others.
Next time: "A Town Is Exalted"
The integrity of the upright and the wickedness of evildoers also have an effect on other people. "By his mouth the one who is an apostate brings his fellowman to ruin," says the king of Israel, "but by knowledge are the righteous rescued." (Proverbs 11:9) Who will deny that slander, harmful gossip, obscene talk, and idle chatter are damaging to others? A righteous one's speech, on the other hand, is pure, well-thought out, and considerate. By knowledge he is rescued because his integrity furnishes him with the points of reasoning needed to show that his accusers are lying.
"Because of the goodness of the righteous ones a town is elated," continues the king, "but when the wicked ones perish there is a joyful cry." (Proverbs 11:10) The righteous generally are loved by others, and they make their neighbors feel elated-happy and joyful. No one is really fond of "wicked ones." When the wicked die, they are not usually mourned by people in general. There certainly will be no sorrow when Jehovah 'cuts off the wicked from the earth and tears away the treacherous from it.' (Proverbs 2:21. 22) Rather, there will be joy because they have been removed from the scene. But what about us? We do well to consider if the way we conduct ourselves contributes to the joy of others.
Next time: "A Town Is Exalted"
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