For decades now, those words have appeared atop one of the Watchtower Society’s buildings in New York City.
That exhortation may never have been more needed by Jehovah’s people themselves than it is today. Recent posts have asked good questions regarding what can or will sustain individual Jehovah’s Witnesses who do truly love God, but who may be disheartened by various things they have seen in the organization.
It is clear to me that many Witnesses spend far more time reading the Society’s publications than God’s Word itself. One reason sometimes given is that the preparation and research has already been done for you, thus making it easier.
This may be true. But easier isn’t always better, is it? Do you get the complete flavor and impact of a great literary classic simply by reading the “Cliff Notes” version? At our meetings, we regularly consider scriptures such as Hebrews 10:24, 25; 1 Cor. 15:33; and Mt. 24:14 and 28:19, 20. But the Bible, in its entirety, contains such a wealth of information which augments, and balances, those scriptures.
From another perspective, how could an individual Witness determine whether what was being asked of him by the organization was genuinely Biblical, or was instead simply a human or organizational demand? Or, whether the way he or she was being treated was modeled after the Christ, or was not?
To me, the answer is simple. It’s right on top of the Society’s building in New York.
I don’t want to drag this on too long, but allow me to present a few brief examples of what I mean.
The Account of Lot (Genesis 19)
Jehovah’s Witnesses constantly hear emphasis on doing things “just so.” For example, it is often highlighted that, in response to God’s instructions, Noah “did just so.” (Gen 6:22) And it is true that one would expect a genuine Christian to make conscientious efforts to follow God’s instructions to the best of his or her ability.
However, Jehovah’s Witnesses often feel a great deal of pressure here. It is sometimes implied that, unless they are doing “just so,” they will feel the heat of God’s disapproval. As one example, comments have been made in the publications, and certainly in assembly and congregational meeting parts, that imply that were a Christian not to be doing everything he could in the field ministry, Jehovah might actually hold this against him at Armageddon, with possible adverse affects. To what can this lead? Here’s what one sister said:
w95 12/1 12 Do Not Give Up!
“I had felt that unless it hurts, you must not be
doing enough,” admitted one Christian.
A careful reading of the account of Lot, as recorded in Genesis 19, might prove helpful in restoring balance as to whether God expects virtual perfection from us.
Lot was clearly told that God intended to destroy Sodom. And, it appears that he understood at some level what he had been told, for he conveyed it to his sons-in-law. (vs. 14) However, the next morning, when the angels visiting Lot urgently told him to leave, the account says that Lot “kept lingering.” Though the account is not specific as to why this was the case, we read that “in the compassion of Jehovah upon him, the man seized hold of his hand,” and essentially dragged Lot and his family out of the city. (vs. 16)
But it doesn’t stop there. Lot is specifically told to “escape to the mountainous region.” (vs. 17) Does our hero Lot energetically and joyfully do “just so?” Verses 18-21 tell us what happened next:
Then Lot said to them: “Not that, please, Jehovah! 19 Please, now, your servant has found favor in your eyes so that you are magnifying your loving-kindness,which you have exercised with me to preserve my soul alive, but I—I am not able to escape to the mountainous region for fear calamity may keep close to me and I certainly die. 20 Please, now, this city is nearby to flee there and it is a small thing. May I, please, escape there—is it not a small thing?—and my soul will live on.” 21 So he said to him: “Here I do show you consideration to this extent also, by my not overthrowing the city of which you have spoken. (Bold mine)
In this account, we see Jehovah manifesting love and compassion to a man who was far from perfect. A man who, previous to this, had manifested a measure of selfishness when parting with his uncle Abraham, by virtue of selecting a superior geographic location for himself, his family, and his herds. Who, at the very least, showed himself somewhat lackadaisical in taking action in response to Jehovah’s urgings. Yes, a man who even “begged off.” And yet, Jehovah obviously saw something in that man which made him worth saving.
Might he also, then, see something good in us, even in our weaknesses?
Examples From the Life and Teaching of Christ
One could devote a very lengthy essay to similar things that could be learned from the life course and model of Christ. For example, one could consider just the following passages:
1. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – John 4:1-30
2. Jesus and the Woman Known to Be a Sinner – Luke 7:36-50
3. The Tax Collector and the Pharisee – Luke 18:9-14
4. The Prodigal Son – Luke 15:11-32
5. The Widow’s Mite – Mark 12:41-44
In each of these cases, Christ either did or taught things that stood in stark contrast to that commonly taught at the time. He clearly revealed his Father’s love and care for the “little ones,” at the same time showing that those who set themselves up as guides and judges were often on very tenuous ground.
For Jehovah’s Witnesses who find themselves in an environment that puts heavy emphasis on how they are “performing,” it might be worth noting that, from an external perspective, none of the individuals in the five examples listed above were “performing” very well, from the standpoint of visible “works.” Yet, there was either hope or commendation held out for all of them.
Summary
The above examples are just a few of many such that could be cited.
But they bear out how important, and beneficial, it can be for individual Witnesses to take the time to actually read God’s Word directly. Doing so can help one keep clearly in focus what Jehovah really expects. And it can help one sort out genuine demands of Christianity from additional burdens that may be placed by a man or men, even if well-meaning. It can bring a measure of calm and peace the next time a Circuit Overseer gives a blistering talk which denigrates the friends for being “below the national field service average,” or for “poor meeting attendance,” as his words can be evaluated in an accurate Biblical context.
Yes, the Society is right. Each individual should take the time to “Read God’s Word the Holy Bible Daily.”
