thoughts producing fine fruitage, namely, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”​—Gal. 5:22, 23.

How vital, then, for each one who wants eternal life to clean up his life and “quit being fashioned after this system of things [controlled by Satan, its god], but be transformed by making [one’s] mind over”! (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:4) The “new personality” is a must for salvation.

THE PREACHING REQUIREMENT

Having begun to make his mind over through study and application of God’s Word to his life and by means of godly companionship, the seeker after salvation next needs to turn his attention to the service commanded by Christ Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”​—Matt. 28:19, 20.

Participation in preaching and teaching God’s Word is vitally related to your salvation. This is why the apostle Paul could declare: “With the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation.” (Rom. 10:10) True, the weakness of the flesh may incline you to shrink back from making such “public declaration” of your faith. But call to mind the justice of Jesus’ words at Mark 8:38: “Whoever becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when he arrives in the glory of his Father.”

To help you combat that tendency to shrink back, call to mind the strengthening example of the apostle Paul, for he could truthfully exclaim: “I am not ashamed of the good news; it is, in fact, God’s power for salvation to everyone having faith.” (Rom. 1:16) However, to gain that same boldness and fearlessness you need to undergo training in the Christian congregation. (Eph. 4:11, 12) Is it not most loving and considerate of Jehovah that he has made such provision, so that you do not have to step out on your own to make public declaration of his message? He has organized his congregation of witnesses for this very purpose.

THE STEP OF DEDICATION

After you have studied the Bible diligently and applied its principles toward making a great change in your life, and after you have been meeting and studying regularly with others of the same faith, and after you have tasted and appreciated the privileges of the preaching and teaching work, your faith should lead you to take another important step necessary to your salvation. Yes, it is the step of dedication. What does it mean? It means that gratitude to Jehovah for all his loving provisions for your salvation moves you to offer yourself to him, without any restrictions, to do his will.

In taking this course you follow the perfect example of God’s beloved Son, Christ Jesus, who also offered himself to the heavenly Father, ready to carry out the special will of God for him. (Matt. 3:13-17; Heb. 10:5-10) And as he did, so you also mark this offering of yourself to God for his service by an outward ceremony, giving testimony to others of your decision. You offer yourself for baptism. That symbolic act speaks eloquently of your becoming dead to your own selfish former course of action (when dipped below the water), and henceforth to live in harmony with God’s will (coming up out of the water). Many others before you have taken this step of dedication and baptism.​—Acts 2:41; 8:12; 18:8.

Of course, for the dedicated one there is now no turning back. “Whenever you vow a vow to God, do not hesitate to pay it,” is the inspired counsel, “for there is no delight in the stupid ones. What you vow, pay.” (Eccl. 5:4) Jehovah takes no pleasure in those who go back on their word. That dedicated relationship to God must always be kept in mind. What worldlings do or fail to do is no longer the Christian’s guide. He must seek to be guided by God’s written Word in everything.

ENDURE FOR THE REWARD

The reward of salvation in all its fullness surpasses our fondest imagination. It means more than survival through the fast-approaching end of this wicked system of things. It embraces the marvelous joys of living in a New Order here on earth under the beneficent rule of the heavenly Kingdom. Imagine a thousand years during which the King, Christ Jesus, will be wiping out all the dreadful effects of sin and selfishness! (Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 15:25, 26) Yes, you will be privileged to behold even the dead arising from the tombs at his command! (John 5:28) And finally, there will be the opportunity to withstand the final test of integrity after the close of the thousand-year reign and, if faithful, you will receive salvation, yes, everlasting life as God’s gift through Christ!​—Rev. 20:5, 7, 8.

With such a glorious reward ahead, there is reason to suffer, if need be, and to endure patiently. This wicked system of things under Satan is arrayed against God’s true worshipers. It will seek to have you break integrity with God, to treat your dedication vow lightly. Persons near and dear to you may even be used as its instruments to pressure or persuade you to turn aside from the narrow way of true worship. (Matt. 10:35-37; 7:13, 14) But hearken to this divinely inspired word of counsel: “You have need of endurance, in order that, after you have done the will of God [taken all these vital steps], you may receive the fulfillment of the promise.”​—Heb. 10:36.

Keep in direct communication with your Refuge and your Shield, Jehovah. (2 Sam. 22:2, 3) Pray that God may support you by his spirit, for he is able to make you stand. (Rom. 14:4) And Christ Jesus, the faithful Leader and Commander of his followers, encourages you: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.”​—Matt. 10:22.

Effects of Rebellion

It is often claimed that through the efforts of science the life-span of humans will be lengthened greatly. But the Bible states that because of Adam’s rebellion, mankind has been degenerating and actually has a shorter life-span today than he did several thousand years ago. Will science eliminate the effects of Adam’s rebellion? The New York Times of October 30, 1966, in the article “Medicine: The Mystery of Why We Grow Old,” stated: “At the moment, efforts to lengthen the life span seem to have broken down. . . . it is now generally agreed that no single factor is involved in aging. . . . the conquest of cancer, heart disease and the like will not lead to a dramatic increase in the life span. Too many weaknesses are built into the human frame to be overcome.” Only in God’s new order will this be reversed so that man can grow back to the perfection of mind and body that Adam enjoyed before his rebellion.