Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Because you are not part of the world, but I have chosen you from the world, because of this the world hates you (John 15:19).
Jesus explained why we should expect opposition. He said that we would be victims of hatred for not being part of the world. Persecution does not mean that we have lost divine blessing. Rather, it indicates that we are doing the right thing. Human beings cannot end the worship of almighty God. Many enemies of Jehovah have tried and failed. Let's think about what happened during World War II. The governments of many countries fiercely persecuted God's people. The German Nazis were not the only ones who outlawed our work, but also the governments of Australia, Canada and other countries. Despite this, something surprising happened thanks to Jehovah's blessing. In 1939, when the war broke out, there were 72,475 publishers worldwide. Reports reveal that at the end of the conflict, in 1945, the number of publishers was more than double: 156,299. w19.07 9 pars. Four. Five
What trap will we not fall into if we do what Psalm 39: 1 says?
Let's be careful what we say to others. During a ban, we must identify when is the “time to be silent” (Eccl. 3: 7). We have to protect sensitive information, such as the names of the brothers, the places where we meet, how we preach, and how we receive spiritual food. We must not disclose this information to the authorities or comment on it with friends or relatives in the country or in other countries. If we did, we would put our brothers in danger (read Psalm 39: 1).
What will Satan try to do, and how will we avoid this trap?
Let's not allow small problems to divide us. Satan knows that a divided house cannot stand (Mark 3:24, 25). Therefore, it will always try to divide us. That way, he expects us to start fighting each other instead of fighting him.
What good example did Sister Gertrud Poetzinger set?
Even mature Christians must be careful not to fall into this trap. Let's look at the case of Gertrud Poetzinger and Elfriede Löhr. These two anointed Christians were in a Nazi concentration camp along with other sisters. Gertrud began to envy Elfriede because she gave encouraging speeches to the rest of the sisters in the field. Later, she felt ashamed and begged Jehovah for help. He wrote: "We have to learn to accept that others have more skills or responsibilities than we do." How did you overcome jealousy? He focused on Elfriede's qualities and pleasant personality. Thus he regained his good relationship with her. Both survived the concentration camp and served Jehovah faithfully until the end of their lives on earth. If we strive to overcome differences with our brothers,
Why should we not disobey the instructions?
Let's not disobey instructions. If we do what our responsible and trustworthy brothers tell us, we will get out of trouble (1 Pet. 5: 5). Let's look at an example. In a country where the work is prohibited, the brothers were instructed not to leave publications in the preaching work. But one pioneer believed he knew better and ignored it. What happened? One day, after informally preaching, the police questioned him and other brothers. Apparently, government agents had followed them and had obtained all the publications that they had left. What do we learn? That we have to obey the instructions even if we think we know how to do things better. Jehovah will always bless us as we collaborate with the brothers he has appointed to lead us. --Heb. 13: 7, 17.
Why should we not set unnecessary standards?
Let's not set unnecessary rules. If the elders do this, they will impose a burden on others. Brother Juraj Kaminský explained what happened during the ban in the former Czechoslovakia: “When the responsible brothers and many elders were arrested, some who led congregations and circuits began to establish standards of conduct for publishers. They made lists of what to do and what not to do ”. Jehovah has not given us authority to make decisions for others. Whoever sets unnecessary norms does not protect the brothers, but tries to be the master of their faith (2 Cor. 1:24).
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