9
1
9
download/literature/watchtower/1913-3.pdf
../literature/watchtower/1913/3/1913-3-1.html
THE
WATCH
TOWER
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y
followers.
Some
are
"blind
leaders
of
the
blind,"
while
others
apparently
are
"willingly
ignorant."
Like
the
Pharisees
of
old,
some
hav,e
taken
away
from
their
too
trustful
followers
the"
key
of
knowledge,"
and
are
grieved
that
the
people
are
now
being
taught
better.
However,
the
result
is
that
some
are
getting
awake
and
learning
to
think,
and
to
study
the
Bible
for
themselves,
who
otherwise
might
have
slept
on.
It
is
God's"
due
time"
for
his
faithful
to
be
awakened
and
to
come
to
a
knowledge
of
the
truth;
and
for
aught
we
know
he
is
using
the
wrath
of
man
to
praise
himself.
A
still
more
despicable
course
is
followed
by
some
claiming
to
be
ministers
of
Christ.
Unable
to
controvert
Pastor
Rus
sell's
teachings
they
slander
him
shamefully.
Professing
to
be
Christians,
they
insinuate
and
come
as
close
as
possible
to
infracting
the
lowest
standards
of
human
law
respecting
slan
der
and
libel.
They
that
preach
the
Golden
Rule
and
profess
to
believe
that
everybody
who
breaks
it
is
going
to
everlasting
torture,
do
they
forget
the
words
of
St.
John
that
their
course
is
in
the
sight
of
our
Lord
really
"murder"~-l
John
3:15.
VOL.
XXXIV
BROOKLYN,
N.
Y.,
FEBRUARY
1,
1913
No.3
THE
COST
OF
DISCIPLESHIP
"Being
reviled,
we
bless;
being
persecuted,
we
suffer
it.
"-1
Cor.
4:
12.
Since
God
himself
is
love,
the
very
highest
ideal
of
per-
This
spirit
of
generosity
and
benevolence
should
be
the
fection
which
he
has
given
to
his
people
is
the
standard
of
spirit
of
the
Lord's
people.
We
are
to
bless
those
who
revile
love.
We
cannot
imagine
a
higher
standard
than
this,
nor
one
and
persecute
us
by
doing
them
good
and
by
explaining
to
more
diflicult
to
attain.
It
is
the
special
characteristic
without
them,
if
possible,
the
situation,
which
evidently
they
havo
which
none
will
get
the
prize
of
the
high
calling
of
God
in
misunderstood.
We
are
to
bless
them
by
helping
them,
if
Christ
JeHUs.
This
mark
of
perfection
was
stamped
on
our
opportunity
offers,
out
of
darkness
into
light.
Lord.
He
delighted
to
do
the
Father's
will
in
all
respects,
Our
faith
is
greatly
strengthened
by
considering
the
course
even
to
the
extent
of
laying
down
his
life
for
those
who,
on
of
our
Lord
and
noting
the
similarity
between
his
experiences
account
of
Adam's
sin,
were
under
the
sentence
of
death.
and
ours.
Both
he
and
his
apostles
were
persecuted
by
the
Our
Lord
did
not,
however,
need
to
run
toward
this
mark
Jewish
household
of
faith.
The
whole
Jewish
nation
professed
of
perfect
love;
for
he
was
always
perfect-"
holy,
harmless,
to
be
God's
people;
and
our
Lord
recognized
them
as
his
own,
undefiled,
separate
from
sinners."
(Heb.
7:
26)
The
church,
as
it
is
written.
(John
1:
11)
Yet
when
"he
came
unto
his
on
the
contrary,
are
naturally
imperfect
and
fallen
by
hered-
own,"
they
received
him
not,
but
persecuted
him
and
even
ity;
but
we
have
been
washed
from
all
stain
of
guilt
in
the
crucified
him.
Later,
they
persecuted
his
apostles
and
their
blood
of
the
Lamb.
The
mark
of
perfect
love
we
attain
followers.
gradually.
We
first
reach
perfection
of
heart
intention,
and
Apparently
the
household
of
faith
has
had
a
monopoly
of
then
we
pass
through
experiences
which
crystallize
our
char-
persecutions.
All
down
the
Gospel
age,
those
who
have
pro-
acters
in
righteousness.
In
all
of
these
trials
and
difficulties,
fessed
to
be
God's
people
have
persecuted
others.
Both
Catho-
we
must
demonstrate
that,
if
our
physical
organism
were
per-
lics
and
Protestants
have
persecuted
each
other
and
the
Jews,
fect,
we
would
always
do
God's
holy
will.
God's
chosen
people.
The
majority
of
persecutions
have
been
As
we
see
this
quality
of
love
in
our
Lord
Jesus,
we
by
those
who
professed
to
be
the
people
of
God,
many
of
whom
appreciate
it,
even
though
we
realize
that
we
are
not
up
to
really
thought
they
were.
the
standaf<]
which
God
requires.
Nevertheless,
our
great
The
persecutions
of
today
are
of
the
same
kind.
They
come
desire
is
that
we
have
perfect
love
for
everything
in
harmony
from
those
who
profess
to
be
the
Lord's
people.
In
harmony
with
the
will
of
God.
After
we
have
reached
perfection
of
with
this
fact
is
the
Scripture
which
says,
"Your
brethren
heart
intention,
the
test
is
no
longer
upon
us
of
attaining
the
that
hated
you,
that
cast
you
out
for
my
name's
sake,
said,
mark,
but
of
pressing
down
upon
that
mark
until
our
char-
Let
the
Lord
be
glorified:
but
he
shall
appear
to
your
joy,
acter
has
been
crystallized.
As
the
Apostle
Paul
says,
"Hav-
and
they
shall
be
ashamed."
(Isa.
66:
5)
This
statement
ing
done
all,
stand."
(Eph.
6
:13)
We
do
not
progress
applies
also
to
the
members
of
our
own
families,
who
are
not
beyond
perfect
love;
for
no
one
can
do
more
than
to
have
a
in
sympathy
with
the
truth;
that
is
to
say,
any
persecutions
full
desire
that
God's
will
be
done
in
him.
He
could
do
no
coming
from
the
members
of
our
families
are
usually
from
more,
whether
he
lived
five
years
longer
or
fifty
years.
Per-
those
who
profess
to
be
Christians.
As
a
rule,
their
opposi-
fect
love
is
the
mark
toward
which
he
pressed,
and
he
can
tion
is
not
for
personal
reasons,
but
on
account
of
some
doc-
attain
no
higher
standard.
trinal
point,
which
they
do
not
see
in
the
same
light
as
do
While
one
stands
at
the
mark
of
love,
the
tests
grow
those
whom
they
persecute.
stronger.
We
pass
through
experiences-often
trivial
enough
It
behooves
the
Lord's
people
to
look
with
great
sympathy
-which
tempt
us
to
malice,
envy,
anger
and
strife.
If
we
are
upon
those
who
may
be
their
persecutors.
We
recall
instances
overcome
by
these
tests,
anel
fall
away
from
the
condition
of
where
persecution
has
been
carried
on
with
the
thought
that
perfect
love,
we
shall
lose
the
prize
for
which
we
are
running.
the
persecutors
were
doing
the
will
of
God.
Those
who
per-
(Phil.
:);14)
One
who
thus
falls
away
may
get
into
the
great
secuted
the
Lord
Jesus
were
to
some
degree
ignorant
of
who
eompany
for
devdopment;
but
if
he
were
to
lose
all
love,
he
he
was.
In
Acts
3:
17,
St.
Peter
says,
"And
now,
brethren,
I
would
go
into
the
socon(]
death.
In
either
of
these
cases,
wot
that
through
ignorance
ye
did
it,
as
did
also
your
rulers."
the
person
has
moyo(]
away
from
the
mark
of
perfect
love,
St.
Paul
says,
"Had
they
known
it,
they
would
not
have
the
only
standard
for
those
who
desire
to
be
in
the
kingdom
crucified
the
Lord
of
glory."
(1
Cor.
2:8)
When
Saul
of
and
to
participate
in
the
glorious
things
which
God
has
in
Tarsus
persecuted
St.
Stephen
and
others
of
the
early
church,
store
for
those
who
love
him
supremely.
he
verily
thought
that
he
did
God
service,
as
he
himself
after-
GENEROSITY
AND
BENEVOLENCE
CHARACTERISTIC
OF
GOD'S
wards
tells
us.-Acts
26:9-11.
PEOPLE
FIDELITY
TO
THE
TRUTH
A
CAUSE
OF
PERSECUTION
Our
Lord
desires
to
see
in
his
followers
the
disposition
All
down
through
the
Gospel
age,
those
who
have
been
to
overcome
the
weaknesses
and
tendencies
of
the
fallen
con-
faithful
to
the
truth
of
God
have
been
put"
out
of
the
syna-
clition
and
to
follow
in
his
footsteps.
Of
him
it
is
written,
gogne."
The
creeds
of
men
have
been
barriers
to
keep
out
"Christ
also
suffered
for
us,
leaving
us
an
example,
that
those
who
understood
the
Word
of
God.
There
was
a
time
ye
should
follow
in
his
steps;
...
who,
when
he
was
reviled,
when
many
were
excommunicated
as
heretics
because
of
con-
reviled
not
again;
when
he
suffered,
he
threatened
not."
(1
science.
One
of
these
was
Michael
Servetus,
a
brother
Chris-
Peter
2
:21-2:3)
To
bc
roviled
is
to
be
made
to
appear
vile.
tian,
whose
horrible
death
at
the
stake
was
brought
about
by
to
be
edl
spoken
of,
slandered.
The
natural
tendency
of
all
John
Calvin.
This
course
of
conduct
literally
fulfilled
the
is
to
resent
injustice,
to
rcnder
evil
for
evil,
to
give
as
good
Scripture
which
says,
"They
shall
put
you
out
of
the
-
syna-
as
we
get-and
a
little
more
if
possible.
This
is
the
natural
gogue:
yea,
the
time
cometh,
that
whosoever
killet~l
you
will
inclination
beeause
we
are
in
the
fallen
condition,
unbalanced
think
that
he
doeth
God
service.'
'-John
16:
2.
in
our
minds.
Those
who
had
charge
of
the
synagogues
were
not
always
Our
Lord's
teaching
is
all
the
opposite
of
the
spirit
of
bad
people,
but
they
were
mistaken,
as
was
Saul
of
Tarsus
reviling.
No
matter
how
much
we
are
reviled,
we
are
not
to
when
he
haled
men
and
women
to
prison.
(Acts
8:3)
The
revile
in
return;
no
matter
how
much
we
are
persecuted,
we
same
conditions
exist
today.
The
darkness
hateth
the
light.
are
not
to
persecute
in
return.
This
is
the
law
of
the
new
When
any
become
enlightened
in
the
·Word
of
God,
they
are
creation.
Instead
of
reviling
again,
we
are
to
bless.
This
does
told,"
If
you
stay
with
us,
you
must
not
present
these
mat-
not
mean
that
when
one
has
said
a
slanderous
thing
of
us,
ters."
Those
who
are
loyal
to
God
are
in
this
way
forced
out
we
are
to
say,
,.
God
bless
you";
but
that
if
the
person
is
of
the
synagogues.
in
difficulty
and
needs
help,
we
are
to
overlook
altogether
what
Our
day
has
a
peculiarity,
however,
that
other
days
have
he
has
done
to
us,
and
be
just
as
ready
to
help
him
as
any
not
had.
The
divine
plan
is
so
beautiful
that
by
its
light
we
other
person.
see
that
others
are
in
darkness.
The
voice
of
God,
the
voice
[15172]
(31-36) followers. Some are ‘‘blind leaders of the blind,’’ while others apparently are ‘‘willingly ignorant.’’? Like the Pharisees of old, some have taken away from their too trustful followers the ‘‘key of knowledge,’’ and are grieved that the people are now being taught better. However, the result is that some are getting awake and learning to think, and to study the Bible for themselves, who otherwise might have slept on. It is God’s ‘‘due time’’ for his faithful to be awakened and to come to a knowledge of the truth; and for aught we know he is using the wrath of man to praise himself. THE WATCH TOWER Brooxtyn, N. Y¥ A still more despicable course is followed by some claiming to be ministers of Christ. Unable to controvert Pastor Russell’s teachings they slander him shamefully. Professing to be Christians, they insinuate and come as close as possible to infracting the lowest standards of human law respecting slander and libel. They that preach the Golden Rule and profess to believe that everybody who breaks it is going to everlasting torture, do they forget the words of St. John that their course is in the sight of our Lord really ‘‘murder’’?—1 John 3:15. Vou. XXXIV BROOKLYN, N. Y,, FEBRUARY 1, 19138 No. 3 THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP ‘‘Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.’’—1 Cor. 4:12. Since God himself is love, the very highest ideal of perfection which he has given to his people is the standard of love. We cannot imagine a higher standard than this, nor one more difficult to attain. It is the special characteristic without which none will get the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This mark of perfection was stamped on our Lord. He delighted to do the Father’s will in all respects, even to the extent of laying down his life for those who, on account of Adam’s sin, were under the sentence of death. Our Lord did not, however, need to run toward this mark of perfect love; for he was always perfect—‘‘holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.’’?’ (Heb. 7:26) The church, on the contrary, are naturally imperfect and fallen by heredity; but we have been washed from all stain of guilt in the blood of the Lamb. The mark of perfect love we attain gradually. We first reach perfection of heart intention, and then we pass through experiences which crystallize our characters in righteousness. In all of these trials and difficulties, we must demonstrate that, if our physical organism were perfeet, we would always do God’s holy will. As we see this quality of love in our Lord Jesus, we appreciate it, even though we realize that we are not up to the standard which God requires. Nevertheless, our great desire is that we have perfect love for everything in harmony with the will of God. After we have reached perfection of heart intention, the test is no longer upon us of attaining the mark, but of pressing down upon that mark until our character has heen crystallized. As the Apostle Paul says, ‘‘Having done all, stand.’’ (Eph. 6:13) We do not progress beyond perfect love; for no one can do more than to have a full desire that God’s will be done in him, He could do no more, whether he lived five years longer or fifty years. Perfect love is the mark toward which he pressed, and he can attain no higher standard. While one stands at the mark of love, the tests grow stronger. We pass through experiences—often trivial enough —which tempt us to malice, envy, anger and strife. If we are overcome by these tests, and fall away from the condition of perfect love, we shall lose the prize for which we are running. (Phil. 3:14) One who thus falls away may get into the great company for development; but if he were to lose all love, he would go into the second death. In either of these cases, the person has moved away from the mark of perfect love, the only standard for those who desire to be in the kingdom and to participate in the glorious things which God has in store for those who love him supremely. GENEROSITY AND BENE V OTN Gn gy HARACTERISTIC OF GOD’S Our Lord desires to see in his followers the disposition to overcome the weaknesses and tendencies of the fallen condition and to follow in his footsteps. Of him it is written, ‘‘Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow in his steps; ... who, when he was reviled, reviled | not again; when he suffered, he threatened not.’’ (1 Peter 2:21-23) ‘To be reviled is to be made to appear vile, to be evil spoken of, slandered. The natural tendency of all is to resent injustice, to render evil for evil, to give as good as we get—and a little more if possible. This is the natural inclination beeause we are in the fallen condition, unbalanced in our minds. Our Lord’s teaching is all the opposite of the spirit of reviling. No matter how much we are reviled, we are not to revile in return; no matter how much we are persecuted, we are not to persecute in return. This is the law of the new creation. Instead of reviling again, we are to bless. This does not mean that when one has said a slanderous thing of us, we are to say, ‘'God bless you’’; but that if the person is in difficulty and needs help, we are to overlook altogether what he has done to us, and be just as ready to help him as any other person. This spirit of generosity and benevolence should be the spirit of the Lord’s people. We are to bless those who revile and persecute us by doing them good and by explaining to them, if possible, the situation, which evidently they have misunderstood. We are to bless them by helping them, if opportunity offers, out of darkness into light. Our faith is greatly strengthened by considering the course of our Lord and noting the similarity between his experiences and ours, Both he and his apostles were persecuted by the Jewish household of faith. The whole Jewish nation professed to be God’s people; and our Lord recognized them as his own, as it is written, (John 1:11) Yet when ‘‘he came unto his own,’’ they received him not, but persecuted him and even crucified him. Later, they persecuted his apostles and their followers. Apparently the household of faith has had a monopoly of persecutions. All down the Gospel age, those who have professed to be God’s people have persecuted others. Both Catholies and Protestants have persecuted each other and the Jews, God’s chosen people. The majority of persecutions have been by those who professed to be the people of God, many of whom really thought they were. The persecutions of today are of the same kind. from those who profess to be the Lord’s people. In harmony with this fact is the Seripture which says, ‘‘Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.’’ (Isa. 66:5) This statement applies also to the members of our own families, who are not in sympathy with the truth; that is to say, any persecutions coming from the members of our families are usually from those who profess to be Christians. As a rule, their opposition is not for personal reasons, but on account of some doctrinal point, which they do not see in the same light as do those whom they persecute. It behooves the Lord’s people to look with great sympathy upon those who may be their persecutors. We recall instances where persecution has been carried on with the thought that the persecutors were doing the will of God. Those who persecuted the Lord Jesus were to some degree ignorant of who he was. In Acts 3:17, St. Peter says, ‘‘And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.’’ St. Paul says, ‘‘Had they known it, they would not have erucified the Lord of glory.’’ (1 Cor. 2:8) When Saul of Tarsus persecuted St. Stephen and others of the early church, he verily thought that he did God service, as he himself afterwards tells us.—Acts 26:9-11. FIDELITY TO THE TRUTH A CAUSE OF PERSECUTION All down through the Gospel age, those who have been faithful to the truth of God have been put ‘‘out of the synagogue.’’ The creeds of men have been barriers to keep out those who understood the Word of God. There was a time when many were excommunicated as heretics because of conscience. One of these was Michael Servetus, a brother Christian, whose horrible death at the stake was brought about by John Calvin. This course of conduct literally fulfilled the Scripture which says, ‘‘They shall put you out of the synagogue: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.’’—John 16:2. Those who had charge of the synagogues were not always bad people, but they were mistaken, as was Saul of Tarsus when he haled men and women to prison. (Acts 8:3) The same conditions exist today. The darkness hateth the light. When any become enlightened in the Word of God, they are told, ‘‘If you stay with us, you must not present these matters.’’ Those who are loyal to God are in this way forced out of the synagogues, Our day has a peculiarity, however, that other days have not had. The divine plan is so beautiful that by its light we see that others are in darkness. The voice of God, the voice They come [5172]
Pentru a vă îmbunătăți experiența pe site-ul nostru, folosim cookies și tehnologii similare. Unele cookies sunt esențiale pentru funcționalitatea de bază a site-ului nostru și nu pot fi refuzate. Puteți alege să acceptați sau să refuzați cookies suplimentare. Vrem să vă asigurăm că aceste date nu vor fi vândute sau utilizate în scopuri de marketing. Puteți ajusta preferințele dvs. în orice moment accesând Setările de Confidențialitate din subsolul paginii. Pentru mai multe informații, vă rugăm să consultați
Politica de Confidențialitate
Condiții de utilizare
.
