Take Your Stand for True Worship

WHAT ABOUT FAMILY MEMBERS?

What if family members do not share your beliefs?  Again, be tactful.  There is no need to make an issue of every custom or celebration that your relatives choose to observe. Instead, respect their right to their views, just as you want them to respect your right to yours.  (Matthew 7:12) Avoid any actions that would make you a participant  in the holiday.  Still,be reasonable when it comes to matters that do not amount to actual celebration.   Of course, you should always act in a way that will leave you with a good conscience. -1 Timothy 1:18, 19. 

What can you do so that your children do not feel deprived because of not celebrating unscriptural  holidays? Much depends on what you do at other times of the year.  Some parents set aside times to give presents to their children. One of the best gifts you can give your children is your time and loving attention.  

PRACTICE TRUE WORSHIP 

To please God, you must reject false worship and take a stand for true worship. What does this include? The Bible states:  "Let us consider on 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." (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Christian meetings are happy occasions for you to worship  God in the way that he approves.  (Psalm 22:22; 122:1) At such meetings, there is "an interchange of encouragement" among faithful Christians. -Romans 1:12. 


Note:  False worship is going to churches that do not and have never taught what the Bible teaches, as what this book What Does the Bible Really Teach? is telling you.  Don't let those false teachers in other churches read the Bible for you, they only teach tradition, which is what you have been living up to now: holidays, birthdays, Mother's day, Father's day, Halloween etc., to honor your mother and father is to make sure they have shelter/a roof over their heads, food, clothing, bills paid, medical, medicine and lots of love and attention, not a  day for them; as every day should be for them.  Just as you don't need a holiday to be thankful to God for all that you have, or to give presents to your loved ones when you can do that any other time.  Think about it.  Honor should be given to God, not to imperfect sinful humans.

Another way that you can a stand for true worship is to speak to others about the things you have learned from studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses.  Many people truly are "sighing and groaning" over the wickedness that is taking place in the world today.  (Ezekiel 9:4) Perhaps you know some people who feel that way. Why not speak to them about your Bible-based hope for the future?  As you associate with true Christians and speak to others about the marvelous Bible truths you have learned, you will find that any desire for the customs of false worship that may have remained in your heart will gradually disappear.  Be assured that you will be very happy and will receive many blessings if you take your stand for true worship. -Malachi 3:10. 

Next time: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Draw Close to God in Prayer

From the book: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?