SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Have a Realistic View

Have a Realistic View

When God  created the first human couple, he reserved to himself the right to set standards of right and wrong.  (Genesis 2:16, 17)  Adam and Even wanted independence from God's guidance, and this resulted in the world we see around us today.  The apostle Paul said:  "Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."  (Romans 6:12)  Six thousand years of human history since  Adam's time have  demonstrated the truth of Jeremiah's words:  "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)   To acknowledge  that Jeremiah's words are true is not defeatist.  It is realistic.  It explains all those long centuries when "man has dominated man to his injury" because humans have ruled independently of God. - Ecclesiastes 8:9.  

In view of mankind's situation,Jehovah's Witnesses realize that there are limits to what can be achieved in the present system  of  things.  A positive attitude can help preserve our joy, but it is not the solution to everything.  In the early 1950's, an American clergyman published a best-selling book called The Power of Positive Thinking.  The book suggested that most obstacles can  be overcome if they are approached with a positive attitude.  Positive thinking is certainly admirable.  But experience shows that knowledge, skill, material means,m and a host of other factors restrict what we as individuals can accomplish.  And on a world scale, the problems are simply too large for humans to solve successfully-however positive their thinking!

Because of their realistic vies of such matters, Jehovah's Witnesses are sometimes accused of having a negative attitude.  Rather, they are eager to tell people about the only One who can permanently improve mankind's lot.  In this  too they imitate the mental attitude of Christ.  (Romans 15:2) And they are busy helping people to again a good relationship with God.  They know that in the long run, this will accomplish the most good. -Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Timothy 4:16.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not ignore the social problems-especially the defiling unscriptural practices-around them.  Before an interested person becomes one of Jehovah's Witnesses, he makes changes, often having to conquer addictive vices that are displeasing to God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  Thus Jehovah's Witnesses have helped responsive ones  to overcome drunkenness, drug addiction, immorality, and compulsive gambling.  Such informed individuals have learned to provide for their families in a responsible and honest way.  (1 Timothy 5:8)  When individuals and families are helped in this way,m problems in the community are lessened-there are fewer drug addicts, fewer cases of family violence, and so forth.  By being law-abiding citizens themselves and by helping others to change their lives for the better, Jehovah's Witnesses lessen the road of agencies whose work it is to deal with social problems.

Next time: SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Conclusion of Have a Realistic View

The Watchtower, 2000

SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Adopt a Waiting Attitude

 Conclusion of  Adopt a Waiting Attitude

A waiting attitude helps us not to be discouraged when opposition, sickness, advancing age, or other problems hinder us in Kingdom service.  Jehovah expects us to serve him wholeheartedly.  (Romans 12:1) However, God's Son, who feels "sorry for the lowly one and the poor one," does not demand more than we can reasonably offer; neither does Jehovah.  (Psalm 72:13)   Thus, we are encouraged to do what we can, patiently waiting until circumstances change-either in this system of things or in that which is to come.  Remember: "God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered  to the holy ones  and continue ministering." - Hebrews 6:10.

A waiting attitude also helps us to avoid presumptuousness.  Some who have become apostate were unwilling to wait.  They may have felt that there was a need for adjustments, either in Bible understanding or in organizational matters.  Yet, they failed to acknowledge that Jehovah's spirit moves the faithful and discreet slave to make adjustments in His due time, not when we may feel that this is needed.  And any adjustments must be in harmony  with Jehovah's will, not our personal ideas.  Apostates allow a presumptuous attitude to warp their thinking and stumble them.  But if they had adopted the mental attitude of Christ, they could have retained their joy and remained among Jehovah's people. -Philippians 2:5-8.

Of course, maintaining a waiting attitude does not mean being lazy or inactive. We have things to do.  For example, we need to be occupied in personal Bible study and thus show the same keen interests in spiritual things that the faithful prophets and even the angels showed.  Speaking of such interests, Peter says: "Concerning this very salvation a diligent inquiry and a careful search were made by the prophets . . .Into these very things angels are desiring to peer."  (1 Peter 1:10-12)  Not only is personal study a must but so are  regular meeting attendance and prayer.   (James 4:8)  Those who show a waiting awareness o their spiritual need by regularly taking in spiritual food and associating  with fellow Christians demonstrate that they have adopted Christ's attitude. -Matthew 5:3.  

Next time: SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Have a Realistic View

The Watchtower, 2000

Note: If you have belief, faith, works and follow the commandments and statutes and love God and Jesus wholeheartedly, here is a verse you might want to see. (John 4:20, 21, 24) "Believe me, woman, (speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well) The hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people  (speaking about all the true Christians)  worship the Father." A material temple would no longer be necessary in the worship of Jehovah, for Jesus explained:  " God is  a Spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with spirit and truth."   Meaning, God and Jesus are everywhere, not just in a Kingdom Hall or any certain building, but everywhere and we can worship him as the verse says and as my note says. If  you observe any holidays  or  birthdays, that is not  how you  worship God, that is insulting him. If you do not observe holidays or birthdays, then that is serving God wholeheartedly and in truth and spirit and following his statutes and commandments.  The preachers now do not teach the whole Bible.  They skip over  the truth and this is because Satan is telling them  to skip the truth, so as to mislead people.   

SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Adopt a Waiting Attitude

Adopt a Waiting Attitude

If we cultivate a mental attitude like that of Jesus, we will not lose the joy of Jehovah even if things do not always happen as and when we expect them to.  The prophet Micah said:  "As for me, it is for Jehovah  that I shall keep on the lookout.  I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation."  (Micah 7:7; Lamentations 3:21)  We too can show a waiting attitude.  How? In many ways.  For one thing, we may feel that a brother in authority has acted in error and that an immediate correction is needed.  a waiting attitude will allow us to consider, 'Was he really in error, or am I mistaken?  If he was in error, could it be that Jehovah is allowing events to unfold because he feels that the individual will improve and that drastic corrective measures will be unnecessary?'

A waiting attitude may be needed if we are trouble by a personal problem or are struggling with a weakness.  Suppose we ask for Jehovah's help, but the problem persists.  What then?  We have to keep doing whatever is in our power to solve the problem and then have faith in Jesus' words:  "Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you."  (Luke 11:9)   Keep praying, and wait upon Jehovah. At an appropriate time and in his own way, Jehovah will ans3er your prayers. -1 Thessalonians 5:17.

As Bible prophecies undergo fulfillment, our understanding of the Scriptures is refined.  At times, though, we may think that a certain clarification is overdue.  If is is not forthcoming when we would prefer It, are we willing to wait?  Remember, Jehovah saw fit to reveal "the sacred secret of the Christ" a little at a time and over a period of some 4,000 years.  (Ephesians 3:3-6) Do we, then, have any reason to be impatient?  Do we doubt that a "faithful and discreet slave" has been appointed to give Jehovah's people  "their food at the proper time"?  (Matthew 24:45) Why deprive ourselves of godly joy because not everything is completely understood?  Remember, Jehovah decides when and how to reveal his 'confidential matters.' -Amos 3:7.

Some may be discouraged because they feel that after many years of faithful service, they may not live to see "the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah."  (Joel 2:30, 31) Still, they can be encouraged when they look at the positive aspect.  Peter counseled:  "Consider the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Peter 3:15)   Jehovah's patience has allowed millions of additional right hearted ones to learn the truth.  Is that not wonderful?  Further, the longer Jehovah exercises patience, the more time we have to "keep working out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling." -Philippians 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11, 12.

Next time:  SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Conclusion of Adopt a Waiting Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000

SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE!

"I will show a waiting attitude for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." MICAH 7:7.


MANY things in life can be viewed either positively or negatively, depending on our attitude.  When the Israelites were in the wilderness, they were miraculously provided with manna.  They should have looked around  at the barren landscape and have been deeply grateful to Jehovah for providing their sustenance.  That would have reflected a positive attitude.  Instead, they remembered the wide variety of food in Egypt and complained that manna was unappetizing.  What a negative attitude!  -Numbers 11:4-6.

 The attitude of a Christian today can similarly make things appear either bright or gloomy.  Without the proper attitude, a Christian could easily lose his joy, and that would be serious because as Nehemiah said:  "The joy of Jehovah is [our] stronghold."  A positive, joyful attitude helps to keep us strong and promotes  peace and unity in the congregation. -Romans 15:13; Philippians 1:25.


Despite living in difficult times, Jeremiah displayed a positive attitude.  Even when he witnessed the horrors of Jerusalem's  fall in 607 B.C.E., he could see positive things Jehovah would not Israel, and the nation would survive.  Jeremiah wrote in the book of Lamentations:  "It is the acts of loving-kindness of Jehovah that we have not come to our finish, because his mercies will certainly  not come to an end.  They are  new each morning.  Your faithfulness is abundant."  (Lamentations 3:22, 23)  Throughout history, servants of God in the most difficult circumstances have sought to maintain a positive, even joyful, attitude. -2 Corinthians 7:4; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; James 1:2.

Six hundred years after Jeremiah, Jesus was helped to endure because of his positive attitude. We read:  "For the joy that was set before [Jesus] he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (Hebrews 12:2) Whatever opposition or persecution Jesus had to face-even the the agony of the torture stake- he kept his mind on "the joy that was set before him."  That joy was the privilege of vindicating Jehovah's sovereignty and sanctifying his name as well as the prospect of bringing great blessings to obedient mankind in the future.

Next time: SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE! - Adopt a Waiting Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Copying Christ's Positive Attitude

Copying Christ's Positive Attitude

Jehovah's servants maintain a positive attitude.  When Daniel's enemies conspired  to have a law passed forbidding the making of a petition to any god or man except to the king for 30 days, Daniel knew that this impinged on his relationship with Jehovah God.  Would he abstain from praying to God for  30 days?    No, he fearlessly continued praying  to Jehovah three times a day,as was his custom.  (Daniel 6:6-17)  Jesus likewise refused to be intimidated  by his enemies.  One Sabbath day, he encountered a man with a withered hand.  Jesus knew that many Jews there present  would be displeased if he healed someone on the Sabbath.  He asked them pointedly to express themselves on the matter.  When they refused, Jesus went ahead and healed the man.  (Mark 3:1-6)  Jesus never shrank back from fulfilling his commission as he felt proper. 

Jehovah's Witnesses today recognize that they too must never be intimidated by the possible negative reaction of opposers.  Otherwise, they will not be displaying Jesus' mental attitude.  Many oppose Jehovah's Witnesses, some because they are ignorant of the facts and others because they hate the Witnesses or their message.   But let us never permit their unfriendly attitude to affect their unfriendly attitude to affect our positive one.  We should never let others dictate the way we worship.

Jesus always displayed a positive mental attitude toward his followers and toward his followers and toward God's  arrangements, however, difficult it was to do so.  (Matthew 22:2, 3) We should copy his example.  Granted, our brothers are imperfect, but so are we.  And where can we find better companions and truly loyal friends than in our worldwide brotherhood?  Jehovah has not yet given us a complete understanding of his written Word, but what religious group understands more?   Let us always keep the right mental attitude, the mental attitude that Jesus Christ had.  Among other things, this includes knowing how to wait upon Jehovah,as we will discuss in the following article.

Next time: SHOW A WAITING ATTITUDE!

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Learning From Others

Learning From Others

In Romans chapter 15, Paul shows that meditating on historical examples can help us to adjust our attitude.  He writes:  "All the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope."  (Romans 15:4) Some of Jehovah's faithful servants in times past needed to correct certain aspects of their attitude.  In general, for example, Job had a fine attitude.  He never attributed evil to Jehovah,m and at no time did he allow suffering to shake his confidence in God.  (Job 1:8, 21, 22)   Yet, he was inclined to justify himself.  Jehovah directed Elihu to assist in rectifying this inclination.  Rather than feeling insulted, Job humbly accepted the need for a change in attitude and readily set about making it. - Job 42:1-6.

Would we react as job did if a fellow Christian kindly told us that we were giving evidence of a faulty attitude?  Like Job, may we never "ascribe anything improper to God."  (Job 1:22) If we suffer unjustly, may we never complain or hold Jehovah responsible for out difficulties.  May we avoid trying to justify ourselves, remembering that no matter  what our privileges may be in Jehovah's service, we are still only "good-for-nothing- slaves." -Luke 17:10.

During the first century, some who listened to Jesus displayed an  improper attitude.  On one occasion, Jesus said something that was difficult to understand.  In response,  "many of his disciples, when they heard this, said:  'This speech is shocking; who can listen to it? ' " Those who spoke in this way clearly had a wrong attitude.  And their wrong attitude led to their ceasing to listen to Jesus.  The record says:  "Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with him."  Did all have a wrong attitude?  No.  The record continues:  "Therefore Jesus said to the twelve:  'You do not want to go also, do you?'   Simon Peter answered him:  'Lord, whom shall we go away to?' "  In effect, Peter  then answered his own question:  "You have sayings of everlasting life." (John 6:60, 66-68) What a fine attitude!  When confronted with explanations or refinements in understanding of the Scriptures that we may at first find difficult to accept, would it not be good to display the attitude shown by Peter?  How foolish it would be to stop serving Jehovah or to speak in a manner contrary to "the pattern of healthful words" simply because some things are initially difficult to understand! -2 Timothy 1:13.

The Jewish religious leaders of the first century failed to manifest the mental attitude that Jesus had.  Their resolute determination not to listen to Jesus was demonstrated when he raised Lazarus from the dead.  For any with a right attitude, that miracle would have been proof positive that Jesus was sent from God.  However, we read:   "Consequently the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together and began to say:  'What are we to do, because this man performs many signs?  If we let him alone this way, they will put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.' " Their solution?  "From that day on they took counsel to kill him."  Besides plotting to kill Jesus, they set out to destroy the living evidence of his being a miracle worker.  "The chief priests now took counsel to kill Lazarus also."  (John 11:47, 48, 53; 12:9-11) How repugnant it would be if we were to foster a similar attitude and become irritated or upset over things about which we really should rejoice!  Yes, and how dangerous!

Next time:REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Copying Christ's Positive Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST

Correcting Faulty Attitudes

Is it possible that some need to correct a faulty attitude?  Yes.  This was evidently true of some Christians in the first century.  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul spoke about having the right attitude .  He wrote:  "Not that I have already received it [heavenly life by means of the earlier resurrection]  Or am already made perfect, but I am pursuing to see if I may also lay hold on by Christ Jesus.  Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on  it; bu there is one thing about; forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward  call of God by means of Christ Jesus.  Let us, then, as many of us as are mature, be of this mental attitude." - Philippians 3:12-15.

Paul's words show that anyone who, having become a Christian, does not feel the need to make progress has a wrong attitude.  He has failed to adopt Christ's mental attitude.  (Hebrews 4:11; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:14) Is the situation of such a person hopeless?  Not at all.  God can help us to change our attitude if we really want to.  Paul goes on to say:  "If you are mentally inclined otherwise in any respect, God will reveal the above attitude to you." -Philippians 3:15.

However, if we wish Jehovah to reveal to us the proper attitude to reveal to us the proper attitude, we must do our part.  Prayerful study of God's Word with the help of Christian publications provided by "the faithful and discreet slave" will enable those "mentally inclined otherwise"  to develop a proper attitude.  (Matthew 24:45) Christian elders, appointed by holy spirit "to shepherd the congregation of God," will be happy to offer support.  (Acts 20:28) How grateful we are that Jehovah takes our imperfections into account and lovingly offers us help!  let us accept it.

Next time: REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Learning From Others

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Conclusion of A Pattern for Proper Attitude

Conclusion of A Pattern for Proper Attitude

Jesus demonstrated a proper attitude in other ways.  He never expressed impatience with Jehovah but patiently waited for the outworking of His purposes.  (Psalm 110:1; Matthew 24:36; Acts 2:32-36; Hebrews 10:12, 13) Moreover, Jesus did not become impatient with his followers.  He told them: "Learn from me"; since he was "mild-tempered,"  his instruction was up building and refreshing.  And because he was "lowly in heart," he was  never bombastic or presumptuous.  (Matthew 11:29) Paul encourages us to imitate these aspects of Jesus' attitude when he says:  "Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God's form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely that he should be equal to God.  No, but he emptied himself  and took a slave's form and came to be in the likeness of men." -Philippians 2:5-7. 

It is easy to say that we want to serve others and want to put their needs ahead of our own. But an honest examination of our mental attitude may reveal that our hearts are not completely inclined that way.  Why not?  First, because we have inherited selfish traits from Adam and Eve; second, because we live in a world that promotes selfishness.  (Ephesians 4:17, 18) To develop an unselfish attitude often means to cultivate a pattern of thought contrary to our inborn imperfect nature.  That takes determination and effort.

Our obvious imperfection, standing in sharp contrast with the perfect pattern that Jesus left us, may at times cause us to be discouraged.  We may doubt that having the same mental attitude that Jesus had is even possible.  But note Paul's encouraging words:  "I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, there dwells nothing good; for ability to wish is present with me, but ability to work out what is fine is not [present].  For that good that I wish do not do, but the bad that I do not wish is what I practice. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I behold the law of my mind and leading me captive to sin's law that is in my members."  (Romans 7:18, 19, 22, 23) True, Paul's imperfection repeatedly hindered him from carrying out God's will as he desired, but his attitude -the way he thought and felt about Jehovah and His Law-was exemplary. Ours can be too.

Next time: REFLECT THE ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Correcting Faulty Attitudes

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - A Pattern for Proper Attitude

A Pattern for Proper Attitude

As in all else, so too in the matter of attitude, Jesus Christ set the best pattern.  He said:  "I set the pattern for you, that, just as I did to you, you should do also."   (John 13:15)  To be like Jesus, we must first learn about him.  We study Jesus' life with the intention of doing what the apostle Peter recommended:  "To this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving you a model for you to follow his steps closely."  (1 Peter 2:21) Our goal is to be as much like Jesus as possible.  That includes cultivating his mental attitude.

What is involved in having Christ Jesus' mental attitude?  Chapter 15 of Paul's letter to the Romans helps us to answer that question.  In the first few verses of this chapter, Paul refers to an outstanding quality of Jesus when he says:  "We, thought, who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those not strong, and not to be pleasing ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor in what is good for his up building.  For even the Christ did not please himself; but just as it is written:  ' The reproaches of those who ere reproaching you have fallen upon me.' " -Romans 15:1-3.

Imitating Jesus' attitude, Christians are encouraged to be prepared to serve the needs of others with humility rather than wanting to please only themselves.  Indeed, such humble willingness to serve others is characteristic of those "who are strong."  Jesus, who was spiritually stronger than any human who ever lived, said of himself:  "The Son of man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many."  (Matthew 20:28)   As Christian, we likewise want to reach out to serve others, including "those not strong." 

Another fine characteristic that Jesus manifested was a pattern of thought and action that was always positive.  He never allowed the negative attitude of others influence his own fine attitude toward serving God; neither should we.  When reproached and persecuted because of worshiping God faithfully, Jesus patiently endured without complaining.  He knew that opposition from an unbelieving and uncomprehending world can be expected by those who try to please their neighbor "in what is good for his up building." 

Next time: REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - Conclusion of A Pattern  for Proper Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000

REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST

"May the God who supplies endurance and comfort grant  you to have among yourselves the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had." - ROMANS 15:5.


ATTITUDE makes a difference in life.  A nonchalant or a diligent attitude. a positive or a negative attitude, a belligerent or a cooperative attitude, a complaining or a grateful attitude can strongly influence how a person deals with situations and how other people react to him.  With a good attitude, one can be happy even in quite difficult situations.  For a person with a bad attitude, nothing seems right, even when-from an objective standpoint.-life is good.

Attitudes-good or bad-can be learned.  In fact, they have to be learned.  Speaking of a newborn child, Collier's Encyclopedia says:  "What attitudes he eventually comes to  possess he must acquire or learn, somewhat  as he must acquire or learn a language or any other skill."  How do we learn attitudes? While many things contribute, environment and association are very influential.  The previously mentioned encyclopedia notes:  "We learn or absorb, as if by osmosis, the attitudes of those with whom we are closely associated." (note: also, if our parents have bad attitudes, that is a clincher as well)  Thousands of years ago, the Bible said something similar:  "He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly." -Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33.  (what if that person is not smart enough to know who is wise and who isn't? Hey, it happens; take a look around you. Enough said)

Next time:  REFLECT THE MENTAL ATTITUDE OF CHRIST - A Pattern for Proper Attitude

The Watchtower, 2000