PROVE YOURSELVES READY FOR JEHOVAH'S DAY

Avoid a Complacent Attitude

Consider the days of Noah.  "By faith Noah, after being given divine warning of things not yet beheld, showed godly fear and constructed an ark for the saving of his household," states the Bible.  (Hebrews 11:7)  The ark would be unusual and quite visible.  Moreover, Noah was "a preacher of righteousness."  (2 Peter 2:5)  Neither Noah's building project nor his preaching moved the people of his day to ace. Why?  Because they were "eating and drinking,  men marrying  and women being given in marriage."  Those to whom Noah preached  were so engrossed in personal affairs and pleasures that  "they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away." -Matthew 24:38, 39.

It was the same in the days of Lot.  The Scriptures tell us:  "They were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building.  But on the day that Lot came out of Sodom it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all."  (Luke 17:28, 29)  After angels warned Lot of the impending destruction, he spoke to his sons-in-law about what was coming.  In their eyes, though, "he seemed like a man who was joking." -Genesis 19:14.

As it was in the days of Noah and Lot, "so the presence of the Son of man" would be, said Jesus.  (Matthew 24:39; Luke 17:30)  Indeed, the prevailing attitude of many today is that of complacency.  We must be on guard against being influenced  by such an outlook.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying good food and drink in moderation.  Similarly, marriage is an arrangement of God.  However, if such matters have become all important in our life and spiritual interests have been pushed aside, are we personally ready for the fear-inspiring day of Jehovah? 

The time left is reduced," said the apostle Paul.  "Henceforth let those who have wives be as though they had none."  (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)  Only a limited time remains for us to finish our God-given Kingdom preaching work.  (Matthew 24:14)  Paul admonished even those who are married not to be so absorbed in their mate that they give Kingdom interests a secondary place in their lives.  Clearly, the mental inclination that Paul was recommending is the opposite of complacency.  Jesus said:  "Keep on, then, seeking fist the kingdom and [God's] righteousness."  (Matthew 6:33)  When making any decision or before undertaking any pursuit, the imperative question to ask is, 'How will this affect my keeping Kingdom interests first in my life?'

What if we realize that  we are already involved in the normal day-to-day things of life to such an extent that spiritual interests are being carried out? Is there little difference between our manner of life and that of our neighbors who lack accurate knowledge of the Scriptures and are not Kingdom proclaimers?  If that is the case, then we need to make this a matter of prayer.  Jehovah can enable us to have the right mental attitude.  (Romans 15:5;Philippians 3:15) He can help us to keep Kingdom interests first, to do what is right, and to fulfill  our obligation to him. -Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 13:7.

Next time: Resist Spiritual Drowsiness

The Watchtower, 2003