The Watchtower, January 1, 1974

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The Watchtower — January 1, 1974

Source: jw.org

Contents

Why Call at My Door?

A Thousand Years of Relief for Mankind

The Christian View of Courtship

Keeping Courtship Honorable

Insight on the News

“Faith Divorced from Deeds Is Lifeless as a Corpse”

Jehovah Opens Hearts

Questions From Readers

Does It Matter Which Bible You Use?

Why Call at My Door?

“I HAVE great respect for you people. I admire your sincerity and conviction. You are doing a fine work in trying to bring people to God. But why call at my door? I already have a religion.”

The above is typical of the viewpoint of many householders whom Jehovah’s witnesses meet in their Bible educational work. You, too, may wonder why the Witnesses continue to call at your door and at the homes of others in your community who have their own religion.

Are Jehovah’s witnesses trying to make money by the sale of printed literature? No, for the small contributions asked for their publications do not cover completely even the cost of printing and distribution of this literature. It is not contributions of money but the message contained in these publications that motivates these unpaid volunteers to persist in calling at the homes of people. Why should you be interested in this message?

Because it has to do with the elimination from earth of wars, racial strife, crime and violence; the end of food shortages, housing shortages, high costs, high taxes; even the end of all types of sickness and death. Do not these things plague people of every religion? Would you not delight to see their end?

The Bible shows how and when God will take action to solve these problems. The Scriptures make it plain that we are now in “the conclusion of the [present] system of things” or “the end of the age.” (Matt. 24:3, NW; The New English Bible) Surely you want to know about this. It should make no difference what religion you belong to.

But, how can one be sure that the generation now living will experience such a change? Jesus’ disciples asked a like question: “What will be the sign of . . . the conclusion of the system of things?” (Matt. 24:3; Mark 13:4; Luke 21:7) Jesus included the following in his answer:

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages.” (Luke 21:10, 11) But, have not wars, food shortages, earthquakes and disease epidemics occurred for most of human history? Yes, but only since 1914 C.E. have these things afflicted mankind in every part of the earth during one generation. Therefore, as Jesus stated, people now living will see the present system of things with all its woes brought to an end.—Compare Luke 21:29-32.

Does that mean ‘the end of the world,’ as some people envision it? Will there be a destruction of the earth and all life on it? By no means! In fact, the earth will never be destroyed. It has been “established for ever.” (Ps. 78:69, Authorized Version) What will end, then? The present “age” of wickedness. Then there will be an earthwide fulfillment of God’s promise at Psalm 37:10: “The wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be.” An entirely new order of things will replace this one.

What will that new order be like? The inspired apostle John describes some of the blessings of that new order at Revelation 21:3, 4: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind. . . . And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.” The prophet Isaiah also speaks of matters that give reason for us to be convinced that then “no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’” Also, the blind, deaf, speechless and lame will be cured of their infirmities. (Isa. 33:24; 35:5, 6) There will be genuine enjoyment of life under righteous conditions. Would you not like to live under conditions like these?—2 Pet. 3:13.

Has your minister, priest or religious leader mentioned this wonderful hope to you? Most clergymen say nothing about it. In fact, many do not even believe the Bible. This is an important reason why Jehovah’s witnesses call at the homes of people of other religions.

The efforts of Jehovah’s witnesses to approach people in public and at their homes are rooted in the Word of God. Jesus himself went directly to the people, and he instructed his apostles and disciples to do likewise. (Matt. 10:11-13; Luke 8:1; 10:5) Actually, the work of Jehovah’s witnesses constitutes a further part of the sign that Jesus gave of the nearness of the end of this system of things. He said: “And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.”—Matt. 24:14.

Is this work of preaching the ‘good news of God’s kingdom’ effective? Indeed it is! Literally hundreds of thousands of truth-hungry persons have had their faith in God and in the Bible bolstered by the house calls of Jehovah’s witnesses. Consider the experience of a woman from New Caledonia:

“While in a distressed suicidal state, I appealed by letter to the one person I felt could help me—my priest. But he did not respond. However, a week later one of Jehovah’s witnesses called. I accepted a Bible study aid, and as soon as the woman left I eagerly devoured its contents. Within a matter of days I began to feel mental relief and a growing sense of liberation.” Thereafter, this woman and her husband became happy servants of God, bringing good news to still others.

Jehovah’s witnesses realize that many people have their own religion. But the world’s religions say nothing about the good news of God’s kingdom. So Jehovah’s witnesses continue to call at your door. The next time they do so, why not invite them in and listen to their Bible-based message?

A Thousand Years of Relief for Mankind

INFORMED persons today agree on one point—that mankind needs relief. In this they are at unity, though each usually has a different solution to offer. Ross Smyth, past president of the World Federalists of Canada, recently gave a talk in which he said:

“Today the transportation and communications technology has shrunk the earth into a global village. But it is a village without a mayor, without an effective governing council, police force and judicial system. Just as a big jetliner with 365 passengers speeds through the air, our planet earth is hurtling through space with 3-1/2 billion passengers—but nobody is in command.”

Mr. Smyth puts his finger on a basic need, that is, some government that has the authority, power and wisdom to take effective command for the good of the people. He believes that a federated world government is the answer.

For about six thousand years mankind has needed relief, but never so urgently as now. What government really is the answer? God, who created the earth and put man upon it, informs us that he is providing a government that will take only a thousand years to reverse all the damage of the past six thousand years and bring mankind all it needs and desires for happiness. This is God’s Messianic kingdom.

How will it accomplish this relief? The Bible shows that some preparatory work has to be done just prior to the thousand years in order to give God’s government a clear, full thousand years of peace in which to rehabilitate mankind.

As discussed in previous issues of this magazine, false religion and the political and commercial system of this world are to be destroyed. You will find this described in the Bible at Revelation chapters 17-19. The cleaning out of wicked corrupters and destroyers of the earth will bring great relief, but it still leaves the primary source of earth’s woes to be removed. Who or what is this source?

THE REAL SOURCE OF MAN’S WOES

The chief source of mankind’s woes is Satan the Devil, an invisible spirit person. This person has great power. He is not merely a ‘principle of evil,’ nor does he content himself with tempting individuals, here and there, to sin. He is called “the god of this system of things,” “the ruler of the world,” and the one who is “misleading the entire inhabited earth.”—2 Cor. 4:4; John 14:30; Rev. 12:9.

During the period of time since 1914 C.E., the world has suffered its greatest woes. The Bible explains the reason for this. It shows that at that time preliminary action was taken against this enemy of God and man by Jesus Christ, who fought a war with Satan and his associate demons and hurled them out of the heavens of God’s presence down to the vicinity of earth. Of the outcome of this fight, the Bible says: “On this account be glad, you heavens and you who reside in them! Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time.”—Rev. 12:7-12.

The earth has since been the entire scene of operation of the wicked demons, wicked spirit persons, in fact, for more than fifty years now. This accounts for the increase of troubles in our generation. Accordingly, after the earth is cleansed by the destruction of wicked human institutions and their supporters, it is imperative that the Devil and his demons be removed in order that full relief may come.

This the Bible does not ignore or leave for us to guess as to its certainty. Immediately after describing the annihilation of this system of things on earth by Christ’s heavenly forces, the Bible says:

“And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he might not mislead the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After these things he must be let loose for a little while.”—Rev. 20:1-3.

PEACE AND RELEASE FROM DEATH

This act by which Jesus Christ, at Jehovah’s command, puts the Devil (along with his demons) into imprisonment in the “abyss,” makes them as though they ‘were not’ for a thousand years. (Luke 8:30, 31; compare Revelation 17:8.) There will thus be no interference from the invisible spirit realm to mislead humans on earth. This will mean more to mankind than we can fully realize or appreciate. Satan has been the “ruler of the authority of the air,” that is, an invisible ruler. Imagine what it will mean for peaceful relations among humans when Satan himself is no longer “the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.”—Eph. 2:2.

With the abyssing of Satan the thousand years of the Messianic reign will begin. The small number of spiritual brothers of Jesus Christ remaining on earth, along with their companions, the “great crowd,” who look for blessings on earth under God’s kingdom, will work initially toward beautifying the earth as a paradise garden. Then the resurrection of the dead will begin. The apostle John reports on his vision of this: “And the sea gave up those dead in it, and death and Hades gave up those dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds.”—Rev. 20:13.

Among those thus coming forth out of the common grave of mankind will be that evildoer hung on an execution stake alongside Jesus, to whom Jesus said: “Verily I say unto thee this day: With me shalt thou be in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43, Rotherham’s translation; New World Translation) This evildoer will come forth from Hades into the earthly Paradise reestablished for mankind by the kingdom of Jesus Christ. In that Paradise the evildoer will share the opportunity along with all the other resurrected human dead to correct his life course and be cured of human imperfection and sinfulness. In this way, by the end of the thousand years of Christ’s reign, he will be able to reach the goal of human perfection in God’s image and likeness. All those attaining to human perfection and sinlessness on earth by the end of the thousand years must, however, undergo a final test of their loyalty to God’s universal sovereign rule, in order to keep their perfect life.—Rev. 20:7-9.

Those perfected humans on earth who maintain their integrity and prove faithful to God’s rightful rule will be declared righteous by the Supreme Judge, Jehovah God. These innocent ones He will declare to be worthy of eternal life, and He will assign to them the right to endless life in happiness in the earthly Paradise. Free of all condemnation, these obedient ones will then really live from God’s perfect standpoint. In this manner it is, then, that “the rest of the dead [aside from those enjoying the heavenly resurrection] did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.” (Rev. 20:5) This expression applies to the “great crowd” of Armageddon survivors as well as to the resurrected ones.

But those perfected humans who do not faithfully pass the test of godly loyalty during the “little while” that Satan is released after the thousand years are ended will be everlastingly destroyed, just as John in his preview presents the matter, saying: “And death and Hades were hurled into the lake of fire. This means the second death, the lake of fire. Furthermore, whoever was not found written in the book of life was hurled into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:14, 15) So these disloyal ones do not attain to life eternal.

A REAL, DEFINITE THOUSAND YEARS

Is the thousand-year reign of the Messianic kingdom a literal, full, actual thousand years? Some say No. The New Catholic Encyclopedia, after stating that “the 1,000 year reign of Jesus [is] a symbol for the entire life span of the Church,” continues:

“ . . . The chaining of Satan during this same period signifies that the influence of Satan has been notably reduced, not completely removed. The lessening of Satan’s influence is the result of the effectiveness of Christ’s Redemption. After a final struggle near the end of time . . . Satan will be completely conquered by Christ.”

But from what we have considered, it is clear that the thousand-year reign of Christ is not the “life span of the Church,” which began on the day of Pentecost, 33 C.E., and has run until now—more than 1,900 years. Why not? Well, has there actually been such lessening of Satan’s influence, because of the “effectiveness of Christ’s Redemption”? If so, the apostle Peter would not have found it necessary to write to fellow Christians: “Keep your senses, be watchful. Your adversary, the Devil, walks about like a roaring lion, seeking to devour someone.”—1 Pet. 5:8.

Neither would the apostle Paul have been impelled to warn his brothers: “Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a wrestling . . . against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.”—Eph. 6:11, 12.

Furthermore, after foretelling the war in heaven, Revelation says: “And the dragon [the Devil] grew wrathful at the woman, and went off to wage war with the remaining ones of her seed, who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus.” (Rev. 12:17) Does this sound like a chaining of Satan?

What a disappointing thing for mankind if the thousand years were already past, as this Catholic opinion would imply! There has been no relief during all those years for mankind. Even true Christians have suffered severe persecution. Mankind in general has groaned under many burdens and sufferings, and in the last few years their woes have increased.—Rom. 8:19-22.

Jehovah God is not a God whose promises and works fall short, leaving us frustrated and not completely satisfied and happy. God and his Messianic King both know and feel for man in his unhappy state, and they happily anticipate the thousand years, which God has purposed for the relief of mankind. (Ps. 103:14; Jonah 4:11; Matt. 9:36) And, in his wisdom, Jehovah brings in his Kingdom rule at exactly the proper time to accomplish his purposes.

According to the Bible’s timetable, we are near the end of six thousand years of human history, and Christ’s royal reign for the relief and rehabilitation of mankind to perfection is at our doors. A wonderful prospect! Do you desire to live under that coming rule? It is the only right, natural thing to desire.

If you do wish for such a time of relief, you cannot find it in man-made governments, for the entire matter of a good government rests on right principles. These you do not find in the governments of imperfect men. So if you love right principles, you will be interested in learning more about God’s government and its rulers. This will be considered in future issues of this magazine.

The Christian View of Courtship

Helpful facts that young people want to know

MARRIAGE is a worldwide practice. Though it may surprise many persons, courtship is not. And even in the many lands where it is practiced, courtship customs vary greatly.

To people where courtship is accepted as normal, its absence in certain lands may seem hard to understand. But people living in lands where courtship is not practiced might be equally puzzled at some of the customs in lands where it is carried on. They might even find some of these customs somewhat offensive.

So, rather than take a narrow-minded viewpoint and think that the only way to do things is the way people in our own locality do them, it is much better to broaden out our thinking. After all, in the final analysis, is it not the way things work out, the results, that determine how good or how bad certain customs are? In the Bible at Ecclesiastes 7:8 we read: “Better is the end afterward of a matter than its beginning.” And we must admit that in many countries where courtship is the custom, a large percentage of marriages are not working out well but are ending in divorce.

PREVAILING CUSTOMS

Really, the question that concerns you is: What is the prevailing custom where you live? In some countries or regions the prospective bride and groom do not meet until their wedding day. Arrangements for their marriage have all been carried out by others—by their respective parents or perhaps by a “matchmaker” or “go-between” that the parents (or, in some cases, the prospective husband himself) may employ. Now, this arrangement of marriage without preliminary courtship may not be what many prefer; but it is the custom with others. And, we should note, it is a custom that we cannot condemn as out of harmony with God’s Word, the Bible.

We find it illustrated in the marriage of Abraham’s son Isaac to Rebekah, which you can read about in Genesis chapter 24. And we read of Isaac’s son Jacob that when he wanted to marry Laban’s daughter Rachel, he made his marriage proposal, not to her, but to her father, asking Laban for his approval of the marriage. (Gen. 29:15-20) Furthermore, these marriages of true worshipers worked out well.

There could really be only one Scriptural basis for a Christian’s objecting to marriage under such an arrangement. What is that? That would be where the arrangement called upon one to marry a person who was not a fellow believer in the true God, Jehovah, nor a disciple of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.—Compare Deuteronomy 7:3, 4; 1 Corinthians 7:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14.

So, what is said in the article that follows is not to promote the courtship arrangement nor to disregard existing customs in many lands nor to minimize their worth. It is, rather, to give sound counsel from God’s Word, particularly for young persons in lands where such courtship practice does exist.

TEEN-AGE MARRIAGES

And, although primarily directed to young people, the purpose of this succeeding article is not to encourage early marriage. The hard facts show that teen-age marriages simply do not have the same likelihood of success as marriages where one or both persons have attained a more mature age. As one sociologist commented: “Research studies show that, in general, teen-age marriages are characterized by a high divorce or unhappiness rate compared with marriages at later age.”

On the other hand, there is no Scriptural basis for rigidly ruling out all marriage among such younger persons. Generally, the laws of the land grant the parents the right to exercise their mature judgment to decide what they believe will be in the best interests of their children and lead to the greatest happiness and benefit for them. They may decide either to allow or not to allow marriage of their sons or daughters who are under their jurisdiction. Certainly, the many problems of our times and the large percentage of marriage failures should cause them to exercise caution. And it should cause thinking young persons likewise to exercise caution—rather than to ‘marry in haste and repent at leisure.’ It is foolish to rush through a door just because it is open, when you do not have any good idea of what is on the other side.

Above all, the wise person, young or old, will seek God’s direction. Yes, “roll your works upon Jehovah himself and your plans will be firmly established,” for “the heart of earthling man may think out his way, but Jehovah himself does the directing of his steps.”—Prov. 16:3, 9.

Keeping Courtship Honorable

THE Bible says: “Let marriage be honorable among all, and the marriage bed be without defilement.” (Heb. 13:4) Is it not reasonable that what precedes marriage—courtship, in many lands—should also be kept honorable if it is to please God?

In some places a young man is allowed to be with a young girl only when at least one of the parents, or some other older person, is present. In many Western lands, however, such young persons may often be together without a chaperon. The question is, then, where such wider area of freedom is permitted, how can courtship be kept honorable? What can a young person do to assure that in his or her case courtship will lead to a truly happy and successful marriage?

Freedom always brings with it responsibility. So, if this question is one that you now face, you do well to keep in mind the fine principle set out at Galatians 5:13. Here the apostle Paul was, of course, speaking of the freedom that Christianity brought to those embracing it. But the principle applies to any kind of freedom, especially if we want our exercise of it to bring fine results and God’s favor. The apostle writes: “You were, of course, called for freedom, brothers; only do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another.” Genuine love—for God and for our neighbor, including the person we may be courting—will help us to avoid using any freedom we have in a selfish, harmful way.

WHAT SHOULD COURTSHIP ACCOMPLISH?

To be honorable, courting should be carried on with marriage as its goal. So, it should not begin before the person is ready to take on marriage responsibilities. Of course, you cannot know right at the start whether you want to marry a person or not. It makes sense not to be too quick in settling your attention on any one individual. But this is no reason for carrying on “courtships” that amount to no more than a mere flirtation or series of flirtations.a

Even if you are “interested” in someone, you would be wise, for a while, to try to keep your association with such one as merely part of a group, in group activities. Why? Because, in those circumstances, you can often get a better idea of what a person is really like. This is because we all incline to be more “ourselves” when we are not under the pressure of feeling that someone is paying us special attention. But when a couple separates from the group, the natural tendency from then on is to be what the other person wants you to be, even to mirror his or her likes and dislikes. And sometimes this can camouflage one’s real personality. When paired off, a couple can also quickly become emotionally involved so that they begin to see each other through ‘rose-colored glasses.’ If a couple gets married under the flush of such emotion, they often face a rude awakening. Far better to ‘look before you leap.’

Generally, it is the man who initiates courtship, by expressing interest in the woman. If he is honest and serious about it, she has the right to believe that he is at least contemplating marriage. Then what? Well, she then has a responsibility to ask herself whether she believes she could consider marriage with him. If she is quite certain that she would not consider him as a prospective husband, then it would be quite cruel for her to allow him to develop a deep interest in her. Some girls have been willing to let someone court them just to enhance their appearance of popularity or eligibility, hoping that other young men will now notice them. Some young men have done similarly, thinking they can ‘play the field,’ have a good time and then pull out before things get too serious. But such selfish use of one’s freedom can cause real hurt, severe wounds that may take months, even years to heal.—Compare Proverbs 26:18, 19.

Only if used unselfishly can the freedom to court bring benefits. It can afford an opportunity to become better acquainted with the person with whom you are considering spending the rest of your life. Depending on how honest each one is toward the other, you can get to learn each other’s likes and dislikes, standards, habits and outlooks, yes, and each other’s temper and disposition and reaction to problems or difficulties. You rightly want to know such things as: Is he or she kind, generous and considerate of others? What about respect for parents and older persons? Is there good evidence of modesty and humility, or is the person boastful, obstinate? Do I see self-control and balance or, instead, weakness and childishness, perhaps sulking or even tantrums? Since a large part of life is work, what about signs of laziness, irresponsibility or a wasteful attitude toward money? What about plans for the future? Is a family desired or is there interest in some special vocation? In an article entitled “Danger Signals in Courtship” the writer states: “Our study of engaged and happily and unhappily married people found the unhappily married were in little agreement on life goals and values.”—Medical Aspects of Human Sexuality, November 1970, page 43.

Above all, you should want to know how much God’s purposes figure in the other’s interests and plans. Yes, when the whole picture is filled out, how well suited are you for each other? If serious differences exist, do not fool yourself into thinking that marriage will automatically solve them. It may only make the friction that they cause be felt more keenly.

HONORABLE CONDUCT IN COURTSHIP

In lands where unchaperoned association is allowed by parents, couples who are courting often engage in expressions of affection such as holding hands, kissing, even embracing. How advisable is this? Does the Bible have any counsel for us on such matters?

The Bible does not set forth any specific rules on these matters. Parents, of course, have the right to instruct their sons and daughters as to the standards by which they want them to conduct themselves. While elders in a congregation cannot establish such rules, they can direct young people’s attention to the sound guiding principles found in God’s Word, and anyone who honestly wants to take a wise course in life will willingly and gladly give heed to such counsel.—Prov. 1:7-9; 2:6-9.

The Bible, of course, does definitely rule out such things as fornication. But it also warns against other unclean conduct that may not be as grave as fornication. Any couple that heed these warnings will save themselves much grief and will not run the risk of having the memories of some misconduct come back to trouble them.—Eph. 5:3-5.

Holding hands can be a clean expression of affection between persons contemplating marriage. True, it does have a stimulating effect, but this is natural and not necessarily bad. Why, just the sight of the person one is considering marrying may also stimulate, ‘make the heart beat faster.’ (Song of Sol. 4:9) Nevertheless, we need to remember that, human nature being what it is, physical contact does increase the “pull” of sexual attraction. It is also a fact that as simple forms of contact are repeated the pleasurable sensation they first brought generally decreases. This can lead you to seek something more intensely stimulating. But how far can you go without endangering a clean relationship? Because of realizing the possible danger, some persons may prefer to limit themselves very strictly as to all physical contact during courtship, and no one should disparage or make light of their conscientious position.—Compare Romans 14:5, 10, 22, 23.

Kissing may also be a clean expression of affection between persons contemplating marriage—or it may not be. Really the question is, To what extent does passion enter the picture? Some types of dancing are clean and free from passion; others are not. So, too, with kissing, or even embracing. But even if clean, each of these expressions represents a new line crossed. If they are crossed early in courtship—perhaps even before engagement—they may well cause the couple’s relationship to degenerate into mere satisfying of passion, leading them to engage in unclean conduct, if not fornication.—Col. 3:5, 6.

We ought to be honest with ourselves. If we know we do not have strong self-control in these things, then we should not jeopardize our future or that of the other person by taking chances. Would you drive a car down a steep winding road if you knew its brakes were in poor shape? The time to make up your mind and settle your heart on these matters is before you begin, not after. Once the physical desires begin to stir, it is generally very difficult to stop their buildup. (Jas. 1:14, 15) Those who let passion build up in them to the point of desiring sexual relations—when they are not entitled to these through marriage—subject themselves to tension, frustration and actual pain. It is like reading an exciting book—only to find that the last chapter has been torn out.

Those who keep their relationship in courtship on a high level will get off to a far better start in marriage than those allowing their relationship to work down to a low level through intimacy that steadily increases in frequency and intensity. How much respect can a girl feel for someone that she has to ‘keep fighting off’? But a young man who shows strength of willpower and respectful restraint earns respect. The same is true of a girl. And she particularly needs to realize that, whereas her feelings may require time to be stirred, this is seldom true of a male.—Prov. 25:28.

Giving in to frequent and increasingly passionate expressions can lead to a premature marriage. The book Adolescence and Youth (page 288) says: “The early stages of courtship are often impossibly romantic. Marriage at that time might lead a person to expect more of the marriage than any marriage could realize. Lengthened courtship usually brings about a more reasonable understanding of the other person so that an understanding marriage may result.” For such longer courtship, restraint must be exercised—otherwise the power of sexual drive may build up so early as to become a real danger.—Compare 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Serious doubts and suspicions may also crop up after marriage if passion was allowed to color the picture strongly during the courtship or engagement period. The couple may begin to wonder, Did we really marry for love? Or were we just caught up in passion? Was it a wise choice? The girl may also incline to doubt the genuineness of her husband’s love, wondering if he did not just marry her for her body and not for what she was and is as a person.

To protect yourself and your future happiness, avoid situations that lend themselves to passion. (Ps. 119:101, 104) Lonely places and darkness are not going to help you to keep courtship honorable. Nor will situations where time hangs heavy and there seems to be nothing else to do except engage in such expressions of affection. But much clean enjoyment can be had in such activities as ice-skating, playing tennis or similar sport, having a meal together at a restaurant or visiting some museum or local point of interest and beauty. While enjoying some feeling of privacy because of not being around personal acquaintances, you still have the safeguard of not being completely isolated from other people.

Too, instead of thinking just about what you are “missing” by showing restraint, think about what you are preparing for in the future. Then, in all the years to come, you will be able to look back on your courtship, not with distaste or regret, but with pleasure.—Rom. 13:13, 14.

Yes, courtship can really test you as to what kind of person you are, what you have in your heart, how conscientious you are. God’s Word does not draw precise lines for every aspect of this matter. Yet the sound principles, wise counsel and helpful guidelines found in God’s Word are ample to aid us to keep a balance, to stay well within the bounds of what is clean and morally healthful. Thus our expressions of affection for a prospective mate will never work to the harm of that one, emotionally or spiritually. So, if you should enter into courtship, by all means keep it honorable. You will always be happy you did.

[Footnotes]

For further information on this subject, see the article “What About Dating?” in the October 1, 1971, issue of The Watchtower, pages 593-595.

[Picture on page 12]

If one’s courtship becomes a series of passionate expressions with less and less restraint, how will this affect prospects for a successful marriage?

[Picture on page 13]

There is much clean enjoyment that can be had and which also safeguards a couple from being completely isolated from others

Insight on the News

Mid-East Crisis

● The Middle East came back into sharp focus in late 1973 with the fourth in the series of fierce Arab-Israeli conflicts. Some feel that the increased prominence of Israel in world affairs fits Bible prophecy. They believe that a vital element in the establishing of God’s kingdom is the rise of Israel to the place of earth’s leading nation, with Jerusalem as “the capital of the United States of the World”—ruled by Christ. Does Bible prophecy really focus on Israel in this way?

No, it plainly does not. For one thing, the Israeli leaders themselves have consistently disclaimed any interest in seeing the young republic become a “theocracy.” More importantly, the Bible shows that it is spiritual—not fleshly—Israel on which prophecies of restoration would find later fulfillment. That is why the apostle Paul, himself a Jew, found need to point out that “he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision that which is on the outside upon the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit, and not by a written code.”—Rom. 2:28, 29.

As a political, rather than a theocratic, state, the modern Republic of Israel finds itself enmeshed in the political power struggles of today. It is true that strong religious differences separate Jew and Arab. But the fuses igniting their wars have all been political and economic issues, not issues related to the Bible.

Shaping Church Morals

● Figures from the National Opinion Research Center in Chicago indicate that three fifths of American church members endorse some form of premarital sex. Why? Often because their clergymen place greater value on the opinions of influential theologians, such as the late Paul Tillich, than on God’s Word.

Tillich was a professor at Union Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School. The Protestant “Christian Century” magazine called him one of the “giants” among modern theologians. What did Tillich do if a student came to him faced with a difficult moral decision? He wrote: “I don’t quote the Ten Commandments, or the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, or any other law.” Why this aversion for specific moral laws?

Perhaps it was to excuse what the New York “Post” calls Tillich’s “free-and-easy sex life.” His widow recently revealed that their marriage “was a break with the whole concept of monogamy,” and that Tillich expected her to take “him into loving arms whenever he emerged from the darkness of his indiscriminating sexuality.”

The apostle Peter warns Christians that “there will also be false teachers” who “will disown even the owner that bought them,” that is, teach and lead a life entirely contrary to what Jesus taught. What would be one result of their false teaching? Peter says: “Many will follow their acts of loose conduct.”—2 Pet. 2:1, 2; Jude 4.

Is it any wonder, then, that many church members carry on in the same unprincipled manner?

Only Way to Stop VD

● The age-old problem of venereal disease keeps plaguing mankind.

The World Health Organization says that VD is assuming epidemic proportions internationally.

What is the solution?

“The big answer is education,” many authorities say. Ads all over Sweden warn, “Last night, 128 Swedes got gonorrhea,” and then urge the use of contraceptive devices as protection. Elsewhere checkups are encouraged, particularly in women. Eighty-five percent of the cases involving women show no outward signs of disease.

But despite partial success, these campaigns have not stopped the international onslaught of VD. Why?

Because the problem is not straightforwardly recognized for what it is—a moral one. The one way to be sure of keeping VD out of your life is to follow the simple, clear instruction found in the Bible: “Flee from fornication.” (1 Cor. 6:18) Those choosing to do otherwise can expect to pay the consequences, in one form or another.

Inflation Hurts

● Worldwide inflation is causing hurt—and the pinch is greatest on food, exactly where Bible prophecy pointed centuries ago. The symbolic “black horse” of Revelation is riding, with food scarcity and high prices marking his trail.—Rev. 6:5, 6.

True, in many industrial lands salaries have never been higher. But living standards in some places are now rolling back. A U.S. wage earner would have had to get a salary increase of 6 or 7 percent each year for the past four years just to stay even with the spiraling cost of living. Where does the problem lie?

It is a combination of many things. Once inflation starts, money starts losing value. Rather than hold their money, people prefer to spend—often on nonessentials, even luxuries. Spending creates a demand for goods and this, in turn, forces up the price. Savings, insurance policies and similar investments steadily weaken as the national currency loses buying power. Governments contribute by their wars and by deficit spending. Taxes grow. Money’s instability creates distrust. That is why wage earners demand large salary boosts, fearing that a moderate raise will not match future living costs. Manufacturers hike prices sharply for the same reason, fearing that moderate price rises will not cover growing manufacturing costs.

All of this points up the inability of imperfect men to govern the earth effectively. It also proves the truth of the apostle’s warning that “those who are determined to be rich” eventually wind up ‘stabbing themselves all over with many pains.’—1 Tim. 6:9, 10.

“Modern English” Bibles

● Many new translations of the Bible in “modern English” have come out in recent years. Yet most of these still use archaic English “for language addressed to God.” Even the “Revised Standard Version” of 1952 and “The New English Bible” of 1971 at Job 42:2 read: “I know that thou canst do all things.” But now, says a late issue of “Theology Today,” translators are finally changing.

An editorial in the journal refers to “the liturgical drift that has now reached flood proportions that assumes to address Deity in the second person plural (‘You’—‘Your’—‘Yours’ rather than ‘Thee’—‘Thou’—‘Thine’).” Reserving the older forms of language for “Deity” has posed no few headaches for trinitarian translators. They erroneously believe that Jesus is God. Well, when Jesus was on the earth, should translators have him addressed as ‘Thou art the Christ,’ implying he is God? Or, as ‘You are the Christ,’ indicating that he is a man?—Matt. 16:16.

Really, why should archaic language be used in addressing God? Some translators are beginning to realize what others appreciated long ago, namely, that the Bible was originally written in the living language of the people of the day. And so Bible characters spoke and prayed to God in the same everyday language that they employed when speaking to their fellow creatures on earth. They did not have one special language to use when speaking to God and another to use when speaking to their neighbor.

Spiritual Interest

● A recent survey shows that churchgoing in the United States continued to decline in 1973. According to a report in the “National Catholic Reporter,” the number of Catholics attending church weekly or almost weekly dropped from 61 percent to 48 percent between 1972 and 1973. And in the past ten years the number of priests quitting amounted to nearly 10 percent of the worldwide total.

In general, Protestant churches in the United States also report a drop in churchgoing, though somewhat more gradual. The number of weekly churchgoers dropped to 36 percent in 1973. Among Jews only about 19 percent attend religious services on a weekly basis.

Is interest in spiritual things dying?

A refreshing contrast pointing in a different direction appears in the “1974 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Its report shows that those presenting themselves for baptism by Jehovah’s witnesses rose from somewhat over 160,000 in their 1972 “service year” to 193,990 in the 1973 period. With meeting attendance running around 100 percent world wide, the “Yearbook” report focuses more particularly on active witnessing done. It shows that the Witnesses in 208 lands and islands of the sea spent over 300 million hours during the past year in carrying the good news of God’s kingdom to their neighbors. The number sharing rose about 100,000 in one year, and a high of 1,810,000 took part in September of 1973.

“Faith Divorced from Deeds Is Lifeless as a Corpse”

“Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it?”—Jas. 2:14.

1. Define faith, and what are some of the ideas that definition conveys?

WHEN we speak of faith we think of one’s belief in God. The apostle Paul, in describing faith to Hebrew Christians, said: “Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for, the evident demonstration of realities though not beheld.” (Heb. 11:1) An assured expectation has something backing it up. It conveys the idea that this expectation is guaranteed, that there will be a future possession. Some suggest that faith is like a title deed of things hoped for. Faith can also involve fidelity to one’s promises or allegiance to duty. One who has faith in Jehovah God and in his Son, Christ Jesus, would want to show loyalty, acting in full harmony with Jehovah’s ways and advocating them to others.—Ps. 145:10, 11.

2, 3. (a) What constitutes true Christian faith? (b) To what extent did the disciples of Jesus spread that true faith? (c) What part did the apostle Paul have in spreading that true faith?

2 What Jesus Christ taught his disciples and what has been passed on to all Christians down through the centuries by means of the Word of God constitutes true Christian faith. (Eph. 1:15-17; 4:5) In the early days of Christianity, when the disciples of Jesus spoke the things that Jesus had taught them, many believed and put faith in Christ Jesus and his teachings. The disciples gave priority to this work of preaching and teaching. “Consequently the word of God went on growing, and the number of the disciples kept multiplying in Jerusalem very much; and a great crowd of priests began to be obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7) This good news that was preached by the disciples certainly spread out, and their own faith in that good news became well known; so, when Paul was writing to the Romans, he could truthfully say: “First of all, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ concerning all of you, because your faith is talked about throughout the whole world.”—Rom. 1:8.

3 Paul was a real evangelizer, a proclaimer of the good news. He learned of Jesus Christ, who through his death on the torture stake provided the means for taking away the sin of the world, and Paul learned about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Paul was so deeply appreciative of the significance of these things that he felt everyone should know about them. So he traveled thousands of miles, much of it on foot, preaching and teaching. He opened up new territory as a missionary would, and brought to many people of many nations the message that would provide them a basis for faith.

“The Word of Faith Which We Proclaim”

4. What was “the word of faith” that Paul proclaimed, and how did he share in proclaiming it?

4 Paul told people, as he wrote to the Romans: “‘The word is near you: it is upon your lips and in your heart.’ This means the word of faith which we proclaim. If on your lips is the confession, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and in your heart the faith that God raised him from the dead, then you will find salvation. For the faith that leads to righteousness is in the heart, and the confession that leads to salvation is upon the lips.” (Rom. 10:8-10, The New English Bible) Paul spoke in synagogues, along river banks, in schools, in prison, in private homes, to all kinds of people, Jews and Greeks, and crowds of various sizes. When Paul spoke, the “word” was brought near them, so near that they could repeat it with their own lips and cherish it in their own hearts. Some did believe and exercise such faith in their hearts.

5. For the expression of faith to result in a righteous standing before God, it must include faith in whom?

5 Concerning the “faith that leads to righteousness,” Paul wrote to the Romans: “What shall we say, then? That people of the nations, although not pursuing righteousness, caught up with righteousness, the righteousness that results from faith; but Israel, although pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to the law.” (Rom. 9:30, 31) It is quite evident that due to Paul’s evangelism many Gentiles were aided to catch up with righteousness. The other disciples, too, through their teaching in many cities brought thousands of Gentiles to a knowledge of Christ Jesus, and these caught up with righteousness, the righteousness that results from faith in the Son of God. From what Paul pointed out to the Jews who made great efforts to keep the Mosaic law, they were never able to attain righteousness. “Why was this? Because their efforts were not based on faith, but (as they supposed) on deeds. They fell over the ‘stone’ mentioned in Scripture: ‘Here I lay in Zion a stone to trip over, a rock to stumble against; but he who has faith in him will not be put to shame.’”—Rom. 9:32, 33, NE.

6. (a) Why did Jews as a nation reject Jesus as the Messiah, and so to whom was the message that “Jesus is Lord” proclaimed? (b) On what was the “word of faith” Paul spoke of based?

6 The law that was given to the Jews was to be a tutor leading them to Christ. It was to bring them to the Messiah and aid them to recognize him and to accept him as their instructor and Lord when he came. (Gal. 3:24) Yet most of them, lacking faith, stumbled over the very one to whom God’s righteous law was directing them, namely, God’s Son. So, now, the “word” or message that “Jesus is Lord” was being proclaimed not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles, to all the nations. This “word” from God is made readily available to people everywhere. Paul’s letter to the Romans said that the “word is near you: it is upon your lips and in your heart.” But what will the individual do about it? If the “word” really gets down into his heart he will believe. He will have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and as the one through whom God will carry out all His grand promises. (2 Cor. 1:20) In order to have such faith he must have knowledge—first of all, knowledge of God and knowledge of what He has said and done, because the provision for salvation through Christ originates with God. God himself raised Jesus from the dead. This is what Paul is trying to convince people about, especially the Romans in his day. Sometimes it was necessary in Paul’s day to impress upon even those who claimed to be dedicated to God the significance of these fundamental truths. Paul was proclaiming “the word of faith.” What was that faith based on? There were two very definite things that Paul had in mind, and so must we 1,900 years later. To be a Christian one must hear “the word of faith” and be convinced (1) That Jesus, the Son of God, is Lord, that by his sacrificial death he purchased mankind and so he must be acknowledged by Christians as their owner; also, (2) That Jehovah God raised Jesus from the dead. Of course, you would want some proof of these two things since they are essential for one’s finding salvation, that is, finding everlasting life.—2 Cor. 5:14, 15.

7. Because of strong faith, what did Jesus’ disciples recognize about the identity of Jesus, but how did the Pharisees react?

7 The disciples that walked with Christ Jesus nineteen centuries ago had a marvelous opportunity to acquire strong faith because they really walked with the Son of God. They heard him speak while he was here upon the earth as a human creature and after his resurrection too. When Jesus asked his followers: “Who do you say I am?” they could answer with conviction that he was the Messiah, the Son of God. (Matt. 16:15, 16) But on this matter the faithless Pharisees were put in a position where they could no longer answer Jesus. The record is set forth at Matthew 22:41-46: “Now while the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them: ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him: ‘David’s.’ He said to them: ‘How, then, is it that David by inspiration calls him “Lord,” saying, “Jehovah said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet’”? If, therefore, David calls him “Lord,” how is he his son?’ And nobody was able to say a word in reply to him.”

8, 9. (a) What must Christians confess about Jesus to show their faith, and how are they to demonstrate that they really believe this? (b) Then what further step is necessary to show one’s faith?

8 Peter, however, on the day of Pentecost made it clear who this “Lord” was and that he was at the right hand of God. He said: “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for a certainty that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you impaled.” (Acts 2:36) Just as the apostles and the early Christians did, so Christians right down to this day make confession with their lips that Jesus is Lord. If they are true Christians, this is more than a verbal expression, however. They demonstrate their submission to Christ as Lord by doing the will of Jesus’ Father, as Jesus taught his disciples to do. (Matt. 7:21; John 15:8) Christians must believe something else too, and that is that Jesus was resurrected from the dead by God. Peter confirmed this on the day of Pentecost. He said: “This Jesus God resurrected, of which fact we are all witnesses.” (Acts 2:32) Now do you believe these two fundamental facts stated by both Paul and Peter, that “Jesus is Lord” and that “this Jesus God resurrected” from the dead? If you do, then there is something you have to do about it, namely, make confession of your faith with your lips. Those who make such a heartfelt confession should get baptized. The apostle Peter urged those who heard him speak at Pentecost of 33 C.E. to do that. “Therefore those who embraced his word heartily were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.”—Acts 2:40, 41.

9 Think of it: about three thousand of those to whom Peter spoke were baptized! They were added to the congregation and they continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and they personally shared in preaching the good news to others.—Matt. 28:19, 20; Acts 8:1, 4.

10. (a) How did the apostle Paul seek to encourage the Roman congregation to zealous activity? (b) What, then, would they do to prove their faith, setting what example for Christians today?

10 Many years later, about 56 C.E., the apostle Paul was writing to the Christian congregation in Rome. That congregation may have been established by some Jews or proselytes from Rome who had visited Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, 33 C.E. They may have witnessed the miraculous outpouring of the holy spirit then. (Acts 2:1-5, 10) Now twenty-three years had passed. In the meantime Paul had become an apostle to the nations, and being interested in the congregation in Rome he was trying to stir them up to greater activity so this good news of the Kingdom would be preached even more widely than it had been up to that time. The things in which they confessed faith before baptism also were to be declared publicly after baptism so that others might believe. Paul wrote: “If on your lips is the confession, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and in your heart the faith that God raised him from the dead, then you will find salvation.” (Rom. 10:9, NE) If they really believed this they would be zealous in preaching it to others. They must prove their faith by the things that were on their lips, by expressing their belief to other people that Jesus truly is Lord. They must prove by their actions that they believed that Jesus had been exalted to a position second only to God and that “every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2:9-11) We, too, must give evidence that we have such faith. Of course, in order to believe that, every Christian must also believe that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and that Jehovah God in heaven did this for his Son. Paul shows in his letter that he was convinced of it, and he was trying to persuade all readers of his letter that they should tell out the information that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead. In that way the individual will find salvation. Of course, one who is saved is a winner. He overcomes the world. He will gain life everlasting.

11, 12. How does Romans 10:10 show true faith must be deep-seated?

11 Paul emphasizes the need of faith, not only in these two things, Jesus’ being Lord and the resurrection, but, of course, in all the things that Jesus taught. This faith must be deep-seated, not superficial, not something that is just on the surface; “the faith that leads to righteousness is in the heart, and the confession that leads to salvation is upon the lips.”—Rom. 10:10, NE.

12 World wide today the Christian witnesses of Jehovah are making this confession. Peoples of all nations in hundreds of languages are learning the truth of God’s Word. Christians must prove that they have faith by the deeds they perform.

Of What Good Are Words Without Deeds?

13. Though not a disciple of Jesus to begin with, what course of faith did James, the half brother of Jesus, eventually follow?

13 The disciple James, a half brother of Jesus, was undoubtedly acquainted with his brother’s activities, but there is no indication that he was a disciple who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry. James may have been among those relatives of his that said of Jesus: “He has gone out of his mind.” (Mark 3:21) However, very likely it is this James that saw Jesus after his resurrection. Paul evidently had him in mind when he wrote to the Corinthians: “After that he appeared to upward of five hundred brothers at one time . . . After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” (1 Cor. 15:6, 7) So it is likely that this James, after the death of Jesus and prior to Pentecost of 33 C.E., assembled for prayer together with his mother and the apostles and others in the upper chamber in Jerusalem. (Acts 1:13, 14) He became a believer that Jesus is Lord, and he also knew that Jesus was raised from the dead. James later became a prominent follower of Christ Jesus and, in later years, was one of those who shared in deciding matters on behalf of all the congregations when the body of elders met in Jerusalem.—Acts 15:6, 13.

14. (a) How did James show the interrelation of faith and good works? (b) What words of Jesus do we have to show the basis on which he is now separating people, with either life or death in view?

14 James wrote some very strong things to his Christian brothers, and he dealt with this matter of faith. He looked at it in the same way that Paul did. James expressed it in this way: “My brothers, what use is it for a man to say he has faith when he does nothing to show it?” (Jas. 2:14, NE) An individual has no reason to brag about his faith if he does not have works to back it up. Really his claim that he has faith is spurious. To illustrate this important matter of appropriate works James puts a question to the congregation: “If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, yet a certain one of you says to them: ‘Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,’ but you do not give them the necessities for their body, of what benefit is it?” (Jas. 2:15, 16) Works are needed to demonstrate that the desire expressed in the words is genuine. We recall that Jesus said: “When the Son of man arrives in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit down on his glorious throne. . . . and he will separate people one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will put the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. . . . I was a stranger and you received me hospitably; naked, and you clothed me. . . . To the extent that you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”—Matt. 25:31-40.

15, 16. (a) What explanation do we have of the word “naked” found at Matthew 25:36? (b) How can a person do good works to Jesus’ “brothers” and not just be saying, in effect, “Good luck to you”?

15 Persons would not necessarily have to be literally naked to be in need of help. The footnote of the New World Translation on Matthew 25:36 says: “Or, ‘not sufficiently dressed’; in the common language the original word for this expression meant ‘lightly clad, in the undergarment only,’ hence scantily dressed, not necessarily nude or naked.” Whether the person is naked or just lightly clad, the individual seeing the condition of the “stranger” should not simply say, “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed.” Of course, we cannot offer such aid to Jesus personally, but we can do so to his “brothers,” spirit-anointed Christians who are alive here on earth. Do you offer such help to them, doing so both because you see their need and because you know that they belong to Christ?—Matt. 10:41, 42.

16 James points out that words that are not backed up with acts are of no value. Just saying the words “Keep warm” will not benefit your Christian brother or sister. Another translation puts the words of James this way: “Suppose a brother or a sister is in rags with not enough food for the day, and one of you says, ‘Good luck to you, keep yourselves warm, and have plenty to eat’, but does nothing to supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” (NE) If one wants to see persons keep themselves warm, then it will take a little work on the part of the Christian to see to it that the persons are kept warm by giving them something, not just saying, “Good luck to you,” and doing nothing to supply the bodily needs. In like manner, faith must be accompanied by works. Faith must be backed up with action.

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The Watchtower, January 1, 1974