Organized To Do Jehovah's Will.
I was proud to be a Jehovah's Witness. I knew I had the truth and that I would be saved. But a small part of me had nagging doubts. I observed that even though my faith was strong, I always felt condemned. I always felt I wasn't doing enough for Jehovah. Why? Because after high school many of my friends became pioneers (or full time ministers). I had a full time job. Plus I worked part time in the evenings, and on weekends.
I never missed meetings. I prepared, gave talks, served at my Kingdom Hall, and went out in field service at least ten hours every month. I wondered if that was good enough for Jehovah or if he would destroy me along with the wicked ones in 1975 because I was not willing to devote my life full time to preaching the good news. Also I wasn't perfect. I made mistakes. I wondered if Jehovah would forgive me or not.
In the back of my mind I wondered if I would be spared. I was doing a lot for Jehovah, but maybe it was not good enough. After all I knew many 'worldly' people who were very kind and loving. The Watchtower told me that these people were wicked and would be destroyed by Jehovah at armageddon. [1] I wondered what my chances for survival were. Even though I was a Jehovah's Witness, perhaps I wasn't doing enough to please Jehovah.
Even though Jehovah's Witnesses today reject the idea that the Watchtower ever made any predictions for the end of the world, all Jehovah's Witnesses were bracing themselves for armageddon in 1975. All Jehovah's Witnesses were making preparations for the end of the world and God's day of judgment against the wicked.
We trusted the wise and timely warnings [2] of the 'faithful and discreet slave' and knew we had the truth. We believed that the Watchtower is the only channel through which God speaks to his people.
Jehovah Reveals His Truth.
In 1976, it became obvious that Jehovah was not using the Watchtower organization. All the preaching work that we did wasn't for Jehovah, it was for the benefit of the Watchtower publishing company.
We were organized to do the Watchtower's will, not Jehovah's will. In the years prior to 1975 they experienced exponential growth and prosperity at the expense of gullible Jehovah's Witnesses like myself and my dear friends who believed a false prophet
Organized To Do God's Will. Condemned And Guilty No More.
After leaving the Watchtower, I searched for the 'true' religion but couldn't find one. All religions are imperfect because they are man made. I soon discovered that the path to eternal life is not an organization or a religion. it's Jesus. [3] To be saved all we need to do is read the words of Jesus and follow him.
Notice how Simon Peter answered Jesus in John 6:67-69, '"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
This scripture does not make reference to any church. Belonging to a religion or organization does not save Christians. [3] Simon Peter was speaking to Jesus when he said, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'
So where did I go when I left the Watchtower? I went to Jesus, because he has 'the words of eternal life'.
Since it's only Jesus that has 'the words of eternal life', nothing more is required other than the words of Jesus. In fact the Bible says 'Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; ...' 2 John 1: 9 - 11 NIV
- Adding rules and regulations to the teachings of Jesus, would be running ahead of Jesus. [4]
- Hating apostates and enemies would also be running ahead of what Jesus taught. [5]
- An organization that disfellowships and shuns Christians based on rules Jesus did not teach is running ahead of Jesus. [4]
Upon leaving the Watchtower, my feelings of guilt and condemnation vanished. I was free and for the first time in my life, I felt God's intense love for me as an individual. I accepted Jesus as my savior because he has 'the words of eternal life'.
I accepted God's invitation. Jesus said, '"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Today over 30 years later, I am blessed. I go to church by my loyalty is to Jesus. My trust is in God, the source of all life, not religion. I have no more guilt. No more fear. Just peace, contentment, unconditional love, forgiveness, and eternal life. This is my prayer for you.
References. Are You Doing Enough For Jehovah?
1. The Watchtower says, "Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the "great crowd," as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." Watchtower Sept 1, 1989 page 19.
2. Beginning in 1966, all Jehovah's Witnesses were convinced that armageddon would come in 1975. Why? Because we trusted the slave. Even in 2009 - 34 years after 1975, the Watchtower says, 'The slave is able to provide wise and timely warnings because Jehovah God and Jesus Christ are blessing it. The slave deserves our complete trust.' (Watchtower Feb. 15, 2009 Page 27) See the Faithful and Discreet Slave
3. Christian freedom. See the Law of Christ. Most Christians go to church or at least 'belong' to one, but they're not dependent upon any belief system or religion for everlasting life. They can freely and openly disagree with doctrines, attend other churches, interpret the Bible any way they want, start their own church like Charles Taze Russell did, and worship God according to their conscience. Christians are not required to obey their religious leaders. Christians are not faithful to any 'slave'. They do not trust in any man made organization. They read God's word and answer directly to him. John 6:67-69. Also see What Does The Bible Say About The Faithful and Discreet Slave?
4. Adding rules and regulations to the teachings of Jesus, would be running ahead of Jesus. See 141 Things Jehovah's Witnesses Can't Do
5. Read Watchtower quotes advising readers to hate apostates and enemies. See Apostate Jehovah's Witnesses. This opposes the teachings of Jesus. He taught us to love our enemies. Matt 5: 44 - 47
6. Why do Jehovah's Witnesses believe they have 'the truth'? Why is everyone else referred to as being 'out of the truth'? Critics say the unique words Jehovah's Witnesses use serves to keep them in a hypnotic state. See Mind Control
7. If you've given your power away, learn how to take back your power
|
