SHORT CHRISTIAN READINGS SELECTED FOR FORMER JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES



Surpassing Beauty of Living by Grace

by Randall Watters

(edited)


Commenting on the intrigue of human relationships and the trials men place on one another, Watchtower Circuit Overseer Floyd Kite once jokingly told me that "half of us are here to test the other half." As a devout Jehovah's Witness, and an "organization man", I was determined to be the "half" that tested the others. I kept close watch on others' conduct as a Bethel elder and overseer. 

The study of Romans and Galatians while at Brooklyn Bethel changed my life, however, prompting me to discover the following truths, new to us but not to the Christian church.

Legislating Righteousness

Actually, the world is full of "spiritual policemen", but the efforts put forth by such ones to control the lives of others is often less than welcome. Yet some will say, "Doesn't the Bible have certain things to say about our conduct, and about our outward appearance?" 

Yes! Are these to be considered as laws, or just helpful suggestions? How far is a Christian to go in counseling others? Let a former "spiritual policeman" give you some ideas.

The concept of living under Law is not bad in itself. Yahweh established a perfect Law for Moses and the nation of Israel. Jesus later came, not to abolish the Mosaic Law, but to fulfill it (Matt. 5:17). That meant that the laws contained therein were not wrong, outdated, or prudish. Jesus came, not to say that the Mosaic Law was too hard to keep, but to establish an even more exacting standard. This he did when he summed up the Mosaic Law in two commands: "You must love the Lord your God with your whole heart, mind, and soul, and you must love your neighbor as yourself." ... ... "On these two commandments depend the whole Law." (Matt. 5:20; 22:39,40)

Jesus' death on the cross released us from a yoke of servitude to a written law (Col. 2:1315). Yet, ironically, Jesus promoted more absolute standards. Jesus went a step further, and clarified how one could fall short of God's standards by what is in one's heart, even if outwardly obeying the Law. In other words, Jesus revealed the principles undergirding the Law as being the standard to strive for. By teaching such a perfect standard of conduct, Jesus advocated a quality of faith and commitment that is actually unattainable for fallen humans, were it not for divine grace.

For instance: According to Jesus, not only is the ACT of adultery a sin, but the very passion of lust is a sin! (Matt. 5:27,28) Not only is stealing a sin, but coveting your neighbor's belongings or his wife in your heart is sin. Not only is marriage sacred, but getting a divorce can make one an adulterer in God's eyes! (Matt. 5:31,32) You are to pray for your enemies and do good for those who persecute you (Matt. 5:3840, 4346). Who can then say that the Christian has it easier than the Old Testament Jew?

The difference is, God has given us the "new birth" and a "new nature" (1 Peter 1:23). A "seed" of righteousness is planted in us when we are "born from above". God comes to live IN us (through the Holy Spirit), enabling us to partake of his holiness (Romans 8:9,11). Jesus made this possible through his death and resurrection (Heb. 9:11,15). We are redeemed and declared righteous. Jesus then takes that "seed" in us and forms it into a mature Christian, thereby sanctifying us. He trusts us to walk in that new nature that we now possess. We die to the old, corrupted nature of the fallen flesh (2 Peter 1:3,4). Were it not for this "new birth" and its accompanying grace, our condemnation would be greater than under the Law of Moses, for Jesus' standards are more exacting and comprehensive than the Mosaic Law. Jesus said we are to be perfect (Matt. 5:48).

We can only hope to be "perfect" if we walk in the "new nature" (Gal. 5:16,17). We must be "born again" (John 3:3,5,7). How common it is to see the old nature of religious men and women trying to reach some artificial standard of conduct laid out for them by a religion or church, thinking that by doing so, they are somehow holy. Yet, the apostle Paul makes it plain that if we seek to justify ourselves by following laws or rules, we are still under condemnation, and Christ is useless to us (Gal. 2:1521). It is the Holy Spirit in us enabling us to do true works of righteousness, not our old nature.

Now the stage is set for comprehending the difficult sayings of Jesus, especially in his Sermon on the Mount. Christ does not make concessions for our weakness by lowering his standards. He expects us to allow the indwelling Holy Spirit to dominate our lives. To the extent this happens, we are able to follow his perfect standards. While Jesus makes no concessions to his standards, he is rich in mercy and forgiveness when we fall short of them. He knows we will sin many times along the way (Heb. 4:15,16). He points us towards perfection. We are to keep our eyes on what he wants us to be at all times; not on some lesser, more attainable goal. Yet, he knows that we will grow old and die without attaining perfection (Phil. 3:1214).

This can be most frustrating at times! It means that we will never reach a plateau in our Christianity. The "mountain" is higher than we can climb, and God has not set up "camps" on the slopes for us to live in; yet he allows us to make wayside rest stops to refresh ourselves and then continue on. Then, upon Christ's return, his work in us is completed as we are transformed into perfection as in the twinkling of an eye (1 Thes. 4:16,17; 1 Cor. 15:5153). So, just what part does the church play in making rules for Christians?

God's Work, Not Ours

In the realm of Christian religions, there are three approaches used in advocating standards of conduct:

(1) The strict approach -- a code of conduct is laid out as "necessary," and it is strict enough that only a few Christians will follow it, producing an appearance of righteousness.

(2) The merciful approach -- a middle of the road code of conduct is promoted that is workable (attainable) for most or all believers.

(3) The perfection approach -- Jesus' perfect standards are advocated, which are really principles to be followed from the heart rather than laws.

Some churches, and all of the cults, choose method #1; many churches choose #2.

However, not only do the first two approaches fall short of Jesus' moral precepts, but the system designed for the few (#1) condemns the many and exalts the few; whereas in actuality, if RULES are to be followed, ALL are actually condemned because ALL will fall short of perfect obedience to those rules! System #1, therefore, provides a false sense of security. It is also substandard to the third approach.

System #2 is unbiblical as well. To water down the principles Christ gave and to replace them with a substandard law code is not acceptable to God. He will not tolerate sin, nor lesser standards; that is why Jesus had to die for our sins. He will only work within the perfect approach.

As Christians, we expect God to mold us and to perfect our conduct and our character. We cannot by ourselves mute the power of sin within us (nor can others do it for us!). Though it may seem a noble cause to try and alter our own heart's desires, it cannot be done through living by a law code, whether it be strict or lenient.

So we drop the law code idea. We see Jesus' lofty standards for what they are and we realize that we will never obey them perfectly, at least in this life. That's why we are saved by grace! So we quit following rules and allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to do his work in us. We learn to become more like children as regards humility and simplicity (Matt. 18:3). Prayers are offered for the Holy Spirit to work changes within us, giving us a new heart; a pure heart. We are praying for something that cannot be accomplished through obedience to laws and rules.

Symptom Warriors

Chances are that you will come to understand these principles of grace versus law before some of your "spiritual policemen" type friends do. Most of the time these "symptom warriors" mean well. They believe they can legislate spiritual growth. The desire of the symptom warrior is to change your conduct so as to be more acceptable to God. Sort of like the Watchtower approach, right? Most of us have played this game at one time or another.

However, since we cannot really see the hearts of others, or accurately perceive where they are in their relationship with God, we often observe and react to outward symptoms. We are everready to point out symptoms to our brother that indicate his walk with the Lord is "not what it should be." 

Because we lack the faith that God controls this process of perfecting his saints, we suggest to our brother that if he would only correct the symptom, his heart will change for the better. We believe that if "Mark would only stop smoking, he would not feel so guilty and could approach the Lord easier." "If Joan would quit watching soap operas, she would love the Lord more and her marriage would improve." 

Seldom do we stop and think that we are approaching the whole thing backwards. Why not get them interested in the things of God, and let God do the work? Besides, we may be reading the symptoms wrong in the first place.

Wasn't Jesus very strict as to what we can and can't do? Didn't he make many statements regarding the living of a sanctified lifestyle?

On Giving Advice

Giving advice to a Christian friend is not something to take lightly! It is better to point to what Jesus said or did on a topic, rather than telling your friend what to do in a given situation. Let them make their decision according to their faith and commitment. To insist that others follow certain standards of conduct such as dress codes, movie or music preferences, types of recreation, business decisions, etc. means that we are making our own standards for another to follow, rather than allowing them to make a personal moral decision based upon their understanding of God's perfect standards. 

God is the only one qualified to give us laws to follow, which he did in the case of the Ten Commandments. Yet, no one could keep them! Therefore, God did away with law, and established a better arrangement. Do we have the right to introduce laws when God has done away with law? (Gal. 2:1621) To do so puts us under a curse (Gal. 3:10)!

Following rules for Christian living is of the flesh; letting the indwelling Spirit live through you is true Christianity. Paul says, 

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him." (Romans 8:5-9)

We need to have the faith that if our brother loves God, he will seek to walk in the Spirit. If he seeks the things of the Spirit, God will perfect his heart. OUR part is to encourage our brother or sister in their walk so that this love for God will be there in the first place. As we encourage and strengthen the faith of our brothers and sisters, they come to love God more, and this seed of love is nurtured by the Holy Spirit.


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"Where Else Can You Go, Brother?"

By Rafael Martinez

(edited)


That's the "canned" response anytime a Jehovah's Witness so much as hints at the possibilty that the WatchTower Cult might not be "Jehovah's visible organization". 

Who can you turn to? Here's the best answer to that ....

Jesus Christ! 

We recommend to all Jehovah's Witnesses to "consider closely ... the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus." ( Heb. 12:2-3ff, NWT ) For He himself settled the matter of just "where else" anyone can go who looks beyond the closed world of the Watchtower Cult when He stated so clearly that

"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ( John 14:6, NWT), and:

"Come to me, all YOU who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh YOU. Take my yoke upon YOU and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light." ( Matthew 11:28-29 NWT )

It is only by turning to and trusting in the promises and person of Jesus Christ that real and eternal truth be found. He embodies the love of the Father by the presence of His Holy Spirit, whom He will send to all those thirsting for Him and His righteousness (Matthew 5:6, Luke 11:9-13).

In Jesus, and Jesus alone, lies your greatest fulfillment, the ultimate answer to all your questions; the open arms of genuine grace; and a sure future without the strings of human tradition attached. 

We urge you to turn to Jesus Christ! Confess and repent of your sins before Him and believe upon Him for real salvation and real peace, that you too might receive the Promise that "is to YOU and to YOUR children and to ALL who are afar off, just as many as Jehovah our God may call to Him" ( Acts 2:39 NWT ), that you too may be given "authority to become God's children" ( John 1:12 with 1 John 5:13 NWT ).

That's a promise from the Creator that no amount of new light will ever outshine!


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What did the Early Christians Say about "Salvation"?


A.D. 55 - PAUL AT EPHESUS: "you are saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you - unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day" (1 Corinthains 15:1-4)

A.D. 56 - PAUL AT CORINTH: "if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9)

A.D. 98 - JOHN AT EPHESUS: "God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God." (1 John 4:15)

A.D. 98 - JOHN AT EPHESUS: "Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1John 5:5)

A.D. 100 - CLEMENT OF ROME: "we, too, being called by his will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory for ever and ever" (First Epistle to the Corinthians, XXXII, 15)

A.D. c.120 - POLYCARP OF SMYRNA: "'we shall also reign together with Him, 'provided only we believe.'" (Epistle to the Philippians, V, 10-11)

EARLY 2ND C. - IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH: "For, since you are subject to your overseer as to Jesus Christ, you appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order, by believing in his death, you may escape from death." (Epistle to the Trallians, II, 1)

BEFORE 165AD - JUSTIN MARTYR OF SAMARIA: "He was crucified, that the rest of the prophecy might be fulfilled. For this 'washing his robe in the blood of the grape' was predictive of the passion he was to endure, cleansing by his blood those who believe on him." (First Apology, XXXII, 2) "And it is written, that on the day of the Passover you seized him, and that also during the Passover you crucified him. And as the blood of the Passover saved those who were in Egypt, so also the blood of Christ will deliver from death those who have believed. Would God, then, have been deceived if this sign had not been above the doors? I do not say that; but I affirm that he announced beforehand the future salvation for the human race through the blood of Christ." (Second Apology, CXI)

LATE 2ND C. - IRENAEUS OF SMYRNA: "'And daily,' it is said, 'in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach and preach Christ Jesus,' the Son of God. For this was the knowledge of salvation, which renders those who acknowledge his Son's advent perfect towards God." (Against Heresies III, XII:12ff)


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