January 11 2007

[barry]

Today's text

Romans 10:2 - "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge"

comments from WT 05/08/15 (§10,11) (translated from Dutch).

The same applies for christendom. Just as the jews in the first century they have 'a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge' (Rom 10:2). While some study the bible, they don't want to believe what is written in it. They refuse to accept that God teaches his people via the faithful and discreet slave class of anointed christians (Matth 24:45). We do understand that God teaches his people and that comprehension of the Godly truth always develops progressively (Prov 4:18). By allowing Jehovah to teach us, we are blessed with knowledge of His will and intention.

Others are blinded by wishful thinking. It is foretold that some would ridicule Gods worshippers and the message they bring about Christs presence. The apostle Paul wrote:"according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice" that God caused a deluge over the world during Noah's day (2 Peter 3:3-6). The same way a lot of practising christians acknowledge that God is merciful, good and forgiving, but still they ignore or reject the fact that God does not exempt from punishment (Ex 34:6,7). True christians try to understand what the bible really teaches.

so looking forward to your comments on this.

much love,
Barry

[Criterion]

Today's text

Romans 10:2 - "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge"

comments from WT 05/08/15 (§10,11) (translated from Dutch).

The same applies for christendom. Just as the jews in the first century they have 'a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge' (Rom 10:2). While some study the bible, they don't want to believe what is written in it. They refuse to accept that God teaches his people via the faithful and discreet slave class of anointed christians (Matth 24:45). We do understand that God teaches his people and that comprehension of the Godly truth always develops progressively (Prov 4:18). By allowing Jehovah to teach us, we are blessed with knowledge of His will and intention.

Others are blinded by wishful thinking. It is foretold that some would ridicule Gods worshippers and the message they bring about Christs presence. The apostle Paul wrote:"according to their wish, this fact escapes their notice" that God caused a deluge over the world during Noah's day (2 Peter 3:3-6). The same way a lot of practising christians acknowledge that God is merciful, good and forgiving, but still they ignore or reject the fact that God does not exempt from punishment (Ex 34:6,7). True christians try to understand what the bible really teaches.

so looking forward to your comments on this.

much love,
Barry[/b]

Thank you for providing that this morning, Barry.

While I can appreciate the Society's comments on this scripture, it would be beneficial, I think, to examine the verse in context. If you look in your Bible at Romans 10, the writer of Romans is speaking of the Judaizers, those who would subvert the worship of Jehovah, so that the Law and manmade rules and regulations are what are measuring sticks for establishing one's "righteousness" and "worth."

Please note what Paul says:

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. For what reason? Because he pursued it, not by faith, but as by works. They stumbled on the “stone of stumbling”; as it is written: “Look! I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock-mass of offense, but he that rests his faith on it will not come to disappointment.” (Romans 9:30-33, NWT)

The idea that righteousness could be determined through works was still a prevailing matter of concern for Jewish Christians in Paul's day. Judaizers continued to insist that the Law be kept, that circumcision still be performed, that certain foods were to be abstained from. The fact is, the leaders of God's people in Jesus' day had come up with so many rules and regulations, all meant to differentiate between who was really "righteous" and who wasn't, that these commandments of men had become burdensome to the people. Rather than there being a joy associated with the worship of Jehovah, there was only a certain dread of falling short, of not measuring up or being counted worthy.

Today, some have come to recognize that the Society, too, has succumbed to this sort of thinking, having made a multitude of rules and regulations by which we are supposed to measure our "worth" before Jehovah--and we are judged by others in our congregation according to this same measuring stick. How many hours do we put in? How many meetings are we attending? How many pieces of literature are we placing? And on the list goes.

But the writer of Romans goes on to say, "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God..." Paul acknowledged their obvious desire to want to please Jehovah, to do the right thing. But, Paul continued, their zeal was "not according to accurate knowledge." Somewhere, somehow, they had missed the point, the lesson that Jehovah had provided through the provision of the Christ. They "stumbled on the stone of stumbling" Paul said. It wasn't through the Law that one would find that they had been declared righteous, but by their having recognized Jesus as the Christ, repenting, and making their lives and minds over to that realization. By faith, we will be declared righteous, not through a careful array of do's and do nots. It doesn't require anything but obedience to adhere to such things. But Jehovah's not interested in "offerings" and "sacrifices." He's interested in our heart.

May we pray, then, that Jehovah helps the Society to appreciate what they obviously once did in their deep love for Jehovah: that having a burdensome array of organizational expectations and requirements is no different than first century Judaizing; that it isn't by adhering to Law that we are declared righteous, but by our persevering faith in the ransom sacrifice, and its power to change and mold our lives, so that mortal men do not have to tell us what we need to do, but we do such things because of our immense love and appreciation for our heavenly Father.

<div align="right">Criterion</div>

[eyes&ears]

Thanks for today&#39;s text. Really sobering.

I think the way the text opened up "Though some study the Bible, they do not want to believe what it says".. (hmmmmm, anything come to mind here :rolleyes:

and also the ending:


"True Christians take care to understand what the Bible really teaches"

Those two statements say it all for me in today&#39;s text (hmmmm).

It is unfortunate for us that those in leadership positions have let their zeal, at times overstep/go beyond Jehovah&#39;s word. This is sad and has caused many problems for Jehovah&#39;s people.

I find what Criterion says here to be very noteworthy, as well as
the importance to keep those in leadership positions and the WHOLE ASSOCIATION of our spiritual family in prayer. Criterion says:

"Today, some have come to recognize that the Society, too, has succumbed to this sort of thinking, having made a multitude of rules and regulations by which we are supposed to measure our "worth" before Jehovah--and we are judged by others in our congregation according to this same measuring stick. How many hours do we put in? How many meetings are we attending? How many pieces of literature are we placing? And on the list goes."

************************************************** ***
I&#39;m feeling more and more uneasy/tense inside myself at this time. My spirit is deeply troubled by what I see going on even though I know why these things are going on. We are in for some rough times as we all know. WE NEED TO STAY CLOSE TO OUR FATHER JEHOVAH AND THOSE WHO ARE STRONG AND WANT TO DO JEHOVAH&#39;S WILL. This will be of utmost importance in the days to come. (I know we all know this), I&#39;m just feeling REALLY FILLED UP WITH ALL TYPES OF EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW) OKEY DOKEY) please hold on DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Know when Jehovah is speaking to us and when to act. We may not all be privileged to be around a group of people or anything like that, we may find ourselves alone (but not without Jehovah&#39;s help)

Hope you understand what I mean. Our mates could turn on us, I see some of that happening right now in our congregation. I&#39;m seeing all sorts of nut stuff happening right before my eyes and I am STAYING SOOOO FOCUSED REMEMBERING WHAT JEHOVAH SAYS WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THIS TIME.

Sorry for rambling.

Love to you all.

E & E

[fruitage]

thankyou Barry for the Text.....

The key in all this is Christ....this frees us from trying to conform to works put in place by men...however we do need to be going out and preaching as this was a command of Jesus and we also need to gather ourselves together and be of a same mind of Christ...doing the will of his Father...

I believe as Criterion said that Christ is the stone of stumbling....he freed us from the laws but man won&#39;t believe it....they keep trying to conform to laws....

Hope all have blessed day

your sis