MAKE IT YOUR AIM TO SERVE GOD FOREVER

STEPS THAT LEAD TO LIFE ETERNAL

Unlike Jesus, we are imperfect and can reach the milestone of baptism only after taking vital steps.  This begins by taking in accurate knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ into our heart. Doing this causes us to exercise faith  and to have a profound love for God.  (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6) Compliance with God's laws, principles, and standards should move us to repent, expressing godly sorrow over our past sins.   This leads to conversion, that is, to a turning around and abandoning any wrong course we followed when we did not have the knowledge of God.  (Acts 3:19)  Naturally, if we are still secretly practicing some sin instead of doing what is righteous, we have not really turned around, nor have we fooled God.  Jehovah detects all hypocrisy. -Luke 12:2, 3.

Now that you have been taking in the knowledge of God, is it not fitting to consider spiritual matters in a very personal way?  Probably you are eager to tell your friends and relatives, and others what you are learning.  In fact, you may already have been doing this, even as Jesus shared the good news with 0thers in informal settings.  (Luke 10:38, 39; John 4:6-15) Now you may want to do more. Christian elders will be glad to talk to you in order to determine whether you are qualified and able to have some share in the Kingdom preaching activity of Jehovah's Witnesses. If you are, the elders will make arrangements for you to accompany a Witness in the ministry. Jesus' disciples followed his instructions in order to carry out their ministry in an orderly way.  (Mark 6:7, 30; Luke 10:1) You will benefit from similar help as you share in spreading the Kingdom message from house to house and in other ways. -Acts 20:20, 21. 

Preaching the good news to all kinds of people in the congregation's territory is  a way to find those who are righteously disposed and is among the fine works proving that you have faith.  (Acts 10:34, 35; James 2:17, 18, 26)  Regular attendance at Christian meetings and having a meaningful share in the preaching work are also ways to demonstrate that you have repented and turned around and are now determined to live in according with the knowledge of God. What is the next logical step?  It is to make a dedication to Jehovah God. This means  that in heartfelt prayer, you tell God that you are willingly and wholeheartedly giving your life to him to do his will.  This is the way to dedicate yourself to Jehovah and accept the kindly yoke of Christ. -Matthew 11:29, 30. 

Next time: MAKE IT YOUR AIM TO SERVE GOD FOREVER/BAPTISM-WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting life