Page 7: The Author of the Bible is the Creator of mankind, who knows how to influence for good the heart of someone who is willing to listen and learn. "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness." Once a reader allows himself to be guided by the Bible, he takes on a new set of values and standards. He begins to learn how Jehovah views things. This process brings many benefits, including a healing of the wounds of war. - 2 Timothy 3:16.
Note: Eternal healing comes through sincere faith in Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Page 7: Bible prophecies indicate that God will soon replace the present system of human rule with his Messianic Kingdom. By means of this government, God "is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth." Institutions that promote wars and urge people to fight in them will be removed. Victims of war will be resurrected and given a chance to live on a paradise earth. No one will need to flee in the face of an aggressor or an oppressor. - Psalm 46:9.
Correction: Jesus Christ Himself will eliminate evil oppressors of mankind.
Revelation 19:15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Page 7: Of humans living at that time, the Bible says: "They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy ... They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance." There is no damage or injury that will not be healed. Putting faith in such a hope gradually removes grief and sorrow from a person's heart. - Isaiah 65:21-23.
Correction: True hope and lasting faith is found in the good news of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:14-16 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the good news of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men's labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the good news in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's sphere of accomplishment.
Page 7: The Bible is indeed potent medicine for the heart. Its teachings are already healing the wounds of war. Former enemies are being united in one international brotherhood. This healing process will continue in God's new system until there is no more hatred and bitterness, sorrow and grief in the hearts of mankind. The Creator promises that "the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart." - Isaiah 65:17.
Note: The Bible teaches that you can have peace now in Jesus Christ.
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Page 8: Since love is the identifying mark of a true Christian, we need to ask such questions as, What is love? Why is it so essential that Jesus said that it, above all else, characterizes his disciples? How can we cultivate love? Who should be the object of our love?
Answer: The object of a true Christian's love is Jesus Christ.
John 21:15-17 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."
Page 9: Why is love an essential quality for a Christian? First, because Jesus commanded his followers to love one another. He said: "You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you. These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:14, 17)
Note: True Christians will be focused on Jesus Christ thereby showing care for others.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Page 9: Second, because Jehovah is the personification of love, and as his worshipers we should imitate him. (Ephesians 5:1; 1 John 4:16.)
Note: True Christians will be focused on Jesus Christ thereby showing care for others.
Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Page 9: The Bible says that taking in knowledge of Jehovah and Jesus means everlasting life. How can we say that we know God if we do not try to be like him? The apostle John reasoned: "He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." - 1 John 4:8.
Note: True Christians will know God since they know Jesus Christ.
John 14:7 "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."
Page 9: Love is important for a third reason: It helps us to balance different aspects of our lives and adds good motive to what we do. For example, it is vital continually to take in knowledge of God's Word. For a Christian, such knowledge is like food.
Note: True Christians will be spiritually feasting on Jesus Christ.
John 6:54-55 "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed."
Page 9: Paul wrote to the Philippians: "This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things." (Philippians 1:9, 10)
Note: True Christians will know that preaching Jesus Christ is important.
Philippians 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
Page 9: Elders who please Jehovah are motivated by love for him and for their brothers. They are not seeking prominence or influence. The apostle Peter, after counseling congregation elders to maintain a good attitude, stressed the need of "lowliness of mind." He counseled all in the congregation: "Humble yourselves ... Under the mighty hand of God." (1 Peter 5:1-6)
Note: True Christian elders will be focused on Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus.
Page 10: The importance of being motivated by love is seen in another way. To those who pursue godly devotion out of love, the Bible promises rich blessings now and unimaginably wonderful blessings in the future. (1 Timothy 4:8)
Note: True Christians will have rich blessing now and eternal life in Jesus Christ.
John 10:9-10 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Page 10: A Christian who strongly believes these promises and who is convinced that Jehovah "becomes the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him" is helped to stand firm in the faith.
Note: True Christians will seek Jesus Christ and find Him.
Philippians 3:8-9 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
Page 10: Most of us long for the fulfillment of God's promises and echo the sentiment of the apostle John: "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)
Note: True Christians will be in love with the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
Page 10: Yes, meditating on the blessings in store if we are faithful strengthens us to endure, just as keeping in mind "the joy that was set before him" helped Jesus to endure. - Hebrews 12:1, 2.
Note: True Christians will be focused on Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Page 10: What, though, if our desire to live in the new world is our sole motive for serving Jehovah? Then we could easily become impatient or dissatisfied when things get difficult or events do not happen as or when we hope. We could be in serious danger of drifting away.
Note: True Christians will have their hope in Jesus Christ who is the Rock.
1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Page 10: While it is proper and natural to have a desire to receive future blessings and hoped for relief from trials, love builds our appreciation for what should be paramount in our life. It is Jehovah's will not ours, that is the important thing. (Luke 22:41, 42)
Note: The will of the Father is for everyone to put their faith in the Son for eternal life.
John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
Page 10: In the meantime, love helps us to keep on serving unselfishly because "love ... Does not look for its own interests." - 1 Corinthians 13:4, 5.
Note: True Christians will unselfishly serve Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the good news of God
Page 11: From Jesus' words, it is clear that first and foremost we should love Jehovah. However, we are not born with a fully developed love of Jehovah. That is something we must cultivate. When we first heard about him, we were attracted to him by what we heard. Little by little, we learned how he prepared the earth for mankind. (Genesis 2:5-23)
Note: True Christians will first and foremost be in love with Jesus Christ.
John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
Page 11: He dealt kindly with those who were faithful, and eventually he provided his only - begotten Son for the forgiveness of our sins. (John 3:16, 36) This increasing knowledge made our appreciation for Jehovah grow. (Isaiah 25:1)
Note: True Christians will first and foremost believe in the person and name of Jesus Christ.
John 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Page 11: Today, Jehovah cares for us, guides us, strengthens us, and encourages us. The more we learn about him, the deeper our love becomes. - Psalm 31:23; Zephaniah 3:17; Romans 8:28.
Note: Jesus Christ will guide, strengthen, and encourage you since He cares for you.
Mat 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Page 11: Of course, many around the world say that they love God, but the way they act belies their claim. How can we know that we really do love Jehovah?
Answer: True Christians will show their love for Jesus Christ through their care of others.
Matthew 25:37-40 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'"
Page 11: And we can act in a way that demonstrates our love. The apostle John said: "Whoever does observe (God's) word, truthfully in this person the love of God has been made perfect. By this we have the knowledge that we are in union with him." (1 John 2:5; 5:3)
Note: True Christians have been given the understanding of Jesus Christ and eternal life.
1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Page 11: And we do not hold back from telling others about Jehovah. That includes sharing in the worldwide preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. (Matthew 24:14; Romans 10:10) Obedience to God's Word in such things is evidence that our love for Jehovah is genuine.
Note: The good news of the Kingdom is the confession of Jesus Christ.
Acts 28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
Romans 10:8-10 But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Page 12: Jesus is a wonderful example of someone motivated by love. In his prehuman existence, he loved his Father and he loved mankind. As the embodiment of wisdom, he said: "I came to be beside (Jehovah) as a master worker, and I came to be the one he was specially fond of day by day, I being glad before him all the time, being glad at the productive land of his earth, and the things I was fond of were with the sons of men." (Proverbs 8:30, 31)
Correction: Jesus Christ is not a woman as wisdom outside of God is portrayed.
Proverbs 8:1-3 Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, at the entrance of the doors:
Note: Jesus Christ is the eternal wisdom and power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
Note: Watch Tower logic claims that God was weak and stupid in eternity past.
Page 12: Jesus' love moved him to give up his heavenly dwelling and be born as a helpless infant. He dealt patiently and kindly with the meek and lowly and suffered at the hands of Jehovah's enemies. Finally, he died for all mankind on a torture stake.
Correction: Jesus Christ did not die on a torture stake telephone pole.
John 19:17-18 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
Page 13: We today are like the ones addressed by Peter when he said: "Though you never saw (Jesus), you love him." (1 Peter 1:8) Our love is shown when we exercise faith in him and imitate his life of self-sacrifice. (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:21-25)
Correction: True Christians show their love for Jesus Christ through sincere belief.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
Page 14: As reported by Luke, when Jesus said that we should love our neighbor, "a certain man versed in the Law" asked: "Who really is my neighbor?" Jesus answered with a parable. A man was beaten, robbed, and left half dead by the wayside. First a priest and then a Levite walked by. Both ignored him. Finally, a Samaritan came along, saw the wounded man, and acted with great kindness toward him. Which of the three was a neighbor to the wounded man? The answer was obvious. (Luke 10:25-37) The man versed in the Law may have been shocked to hear Jesus say that a Samaritan could be a better neighbor than a priest and a Levite. Clearly, Jesus was helping that man to love his neighbor in a more far-reaching way. Christians too love in such a way. Consider all those whom their love embraces.
Note: True Christians will also love those outside of their faith.
John 4:9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
Page 14: However, reports of broken marriages, spousal abuse, and neglected or abused children show that the family is under stress today, and natural family feelings may not be enough to hold it together. (2 Timothy 3:1-3) To make a real success of their family life, Christians need to exercise the kind of love that Jehovah and Jesus have. - Ephesians 5:21-27.
Note: True Christians will have Jesus Christ in charge of their lives.
Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Page 14: Christian parents view their children as a trust from Jehovah, and they look to him for help in raising them. (Psalm 127:3-5; Proverbs 22:6) In this way they cultivate Christian love, which helps them to guard their children from the corrupting influences that young people may fall prey to.
Note: True Christian parents bring their children to a love for Jesus Christ.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Page 14: Paul called love "a perfect bond of union," and it can preserve a marriage union even through stormy times. (Colossians 3:14, 18, 19; 1 Peter 3:1-7)
Note: True Christians will pay attention to the words of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Page 15: Later, however, he wrote to the Witness who first contacted his wife: "Thank you for introducing my wife to Jehovah's Witnesses. At first, I was worried because I had heard so many bad things about them. But now, having attended the meetings with my wife, I realize how wrong I was. I know that I am hearing the truth and it has made our marriage much stronger."
Note: Unfortunately, he was not told that Jesus Christ is the truth.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Page 15: Paul said to the Thessalonian Christians: "You yourselves are taught by God to love one another." (1 Thessalonians 4:9) Yes, those who are "taught by Jehovah" love one another.
Note: Yes, those who are "taught by God" turn to Jesus Christ.
John 6:45 "It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me."
Pages 15-16: However, our love is not limited to Christians whom we personally know. The apostle Peter said: "Have love for the whole association of brothers." (1 Peter 2:17) We love all our brothers and sisters because they are all fellow worshipers of Jehovah God.
Correction: True Christians will also love those outside of their faith.
1 Peter 2:17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Page 16: Is our love limited to our family and our brotherhood? No, not if we are "imitators of God." Jesus said: "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."
Note: Have you exercised faith in Jesus Christ through sincere belief?
Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Page 16: Like Jehovah God, we act lovingly toward all - including those not of our faith. (Luke 6:35, 36; Galatians 6:10) In this regard especially, we preach the good news of the Kingdom and tell others of God's great act of love in their behalf. This can result in salvation to any who listen. - Mark 13:10; 1 Timothy 4:16.
Note: The good news of the Kingdom concerns Jesus Christ.
Acts 28:30-31 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
Page 17: Even when someone opposes us, we try to "keep conquering the evil with the good." (Romans 12:19-21) If possible, we share with him our most precious possession, the truth.
Note: The most precious Christian possession is the truth of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 4:20-21 But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Page 22: First, we can always keep in mind the love we have for Jehovah God. This love is a strong incentive to love our neighbor.
Note: The love for the Father and the Son is love for Jehovah God.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him."
Page 22: Second, we can try to see things as Jehovah sees them. Every time we sin, we sin against Jehovah; yet, time and again he forgives us and keeps on loving us.
Note: Yet, time and again the Father and the Son keeps on forgiving us.
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Page 22: We can seek the help of holy spirit by reading the inspired Bible. For example, if we study the life of Jesus, we will see how he dealt with people, and we can learn to imitate him. (John 13:34, 35; 15:12) Further, we can ask Jehovah for holy spirit, especially in situations that make it difficult for us to act in a loving way. (Luke 11:13)
Note: The Holy Spirit will turn you into a Jesus Witness according to the Bible.
John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."
Page 22: Last year, there was a peak of 6,035,564 publishers of the good news around the world. Jehovah's Witnesses spent a total of 1,171,270,425 hours seeking out individuals to tell them about that good news.
Note: The Jehovah's Witnesses are under a curse of God.
Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other good news to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Page 22: May Jehovah's blessing continue with his loyal and zealous worshipers as they 'let all their affairs take place with love'! - 1 Corinthians 16:14.
Note: True worshipers of God will have their love centered upon Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Page 28: Of course, the Christians to whom he wrote also knew about the games. Some had undoubtedly been among the shouting crowds at the stadium. So they would readily appreciate Paul's illustrations. What about us today? We too are in a race - for everlasting life. How can we benefit from Paul's references to those contests?
Answer: By realizing that rewards should not be interpreted as eternal life.
1 Corinthians 3:14-15 If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Pages 28-29: This fact helps us to understand Paul's statement: "If anyone contends even in the games, he is not crowned unless he has contended according to the rules." (2 Timothy 2:5) Similarly, to run in the race for life, we must meet Jehovah's requirements, complying with his lofty moral standards as they are set out in the Bible.
Correction: True Christians are sanctified by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
Page 29: However, the Bible warns us: "The inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up." (Genesis 8:21) Thus, even after entering the race, we have to be careful to keep on contending according to the rules in order to continue having Jehovah's approval and gain everlasting life.
Correction: True Christians are sanctified by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Page 29: There was no wasted energy resulting from unnecessary weight. Paul likely had this in mind when he wrote to the Hebrew Christians: "Let us also put off every weight ..., and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." - Hebrews 12:1.
Note: Have you been born again through a sincere belief and faith in Jesus Christ?
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith.
Page 29: Everlasting life may come to seem like a distant hope. 'The new world will come someday,' a person may reason, 'but in the meantime we might as well take advantage of what this world offers.' (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
Correction: True Christians will know that Jesus Christ will return someday.
1 Timothy 6:14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing,
Pages 29-30: The Christian race is also a long-distance run that tests our endurance. Enduring in this race to the end is needed to gain Jehovah's approval and the prize of everlasting life. Paul ran the race in such a way. Near the end of his life, he was able to say: "I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness." (2 Timothy 4:7, 8) Like Paul, we have to run "to the finish." If our endurance wanes just because the race is somewhat longer than we expected at first, we shall fail to gain our reward. (Hebrews 11:6) What a tragedy that would be, seeing that we are so close to the finish line!
Correction: Salvation comes through sincere belief and faith not through works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Correction: Rewards comes through your godly works.
Matthew 16:27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 30: Having this in mind, Paul asked his Corinthian readers: "Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may attain it ... Now they, of course, do it that they may get a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one." (1 Corinthians 9:24, 25; 1 Peter 1:3, 4) What a contrast!
Correction: Trials are endured and rewards given for the preaching of the good news of Christ.
1 Corinthians 9:12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the good news of Christ.
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 30: Regarding this finer crown, the apostle Peter wrote: "When the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfadable crown of glory." (1 Peter 5:4) Could any prize this world offers compare with immortality, the prize of incorruptible life in heavenly glory with Christ?
Correction: Jesus Christ will be physically manifested with rewards for faithful saints.
Revelation 22:12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 30: Today, the great majority of Christian runners are not anointed by God to be his spiritual sons and do not have a heavenly hope. They are not running for the prize of immortality. However, God also places a matchless prize before them. It is everlasting life in perfection on a paradise earth under the Kingdom of heaven.
Note: The Watch Tower practices hypocrisy since it teaches partiality among its adherents.
Page 7: God's Word explains that no national, racial, or ethnic group is better or worse than another. "God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." The reader who accepts this is helped gradually to overcome feelings of racial or national hatred. - Acts 10:34, 35.
Page 30: Whichever prize a Christian runner has his eye on, he should run with greater determination and vigor than any runner in an athletic contest. Why? Because the prize will never fade: "This is the promised thing that he himself promised us, the life everlasting."
Correction: Eternal life is found in Jesus Christ through sincere faith, trust, and belief.
1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 30: With such an incomparable prize before the Christian runner, what should be his view of the enticements of this world? It should be that of Paul, who said: "I do not indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse."
Note: Do you consider the knowledge of Jesus Christ more important than Watch Tower error?
2 Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
Pages 30-31: In line with this, how hard Paul ran! "Brothers, I do not yet consider myself as having laid hold on it; but there is one thing about it: Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize." (Philippians 3:8, 13, 14) Paul ran with his eyes fixed firmly on the prize. So should we.
Correction: In context, rewards will be in heaven for true Christians.
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Page 31: Who is the "champion" setting the finest example for Christians? Paul answers: "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, as we look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Yes, if we are to be victorious in our race for eternal life, we need to look intently to our Exemplar, Jesus Christ. This we can do by regularly reading the Gospel accounts and meditating on ways in which we can imitate him.
Correction: Salvation comes through sincere belief and faith not through works.
John 15:4-6 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 31: Such study will help us appreciate that Jesus Christ was obedient to God and proved the quality of his faith by his endurance. As a reward for his endurance, he received the approval of Jehovah God along with many wonderful privileges. - Philippians 2:9-11.
Correction: Jesus Christ did not need faith since He is all-knowing.
Matthew 16:21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Correction: Approval from God comes as a result of your sincere faith in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:8-11 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Note: Cults will teach salvation through your actions or works.
Page 31: Like Jesus, we need to keep our eyes on the prize that is reserved for all who endure down to the end. (Matthew 24:13) If we contend according to the rules, if we put off every weight, and if we run with endurance, we can be confident of victory.
Correction: The rule of God is for sincere belief manifested as love for others.
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Ephesians 6:24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Note: True Christians who are enduring will suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake."