been trained according to the principles set forth in God’s Word. True Christians, Jehovah’s witnesses, will adhere to the principles of Almighty God and pay back to God what belongs to God.—Matt. 22:21, NW.

20. What is an outstanding principle that is ignored by many?

²⁰ Men cannot ignore the outstanding principle that Jehovah is the Creator and Almighty God of the universe, if they are to have understanding. Some so-called wise men of science in the world set up an insurmountable barrier to comprehending the origin of life by deliberately ignoring this principle. Then try as they may, without this basic truth they cannot ever arrive at a satisfactory explanation of life.—Gen. 1:1.

21. (a) What is Jehovah’s right as Creator? (b) When one becomes a dedicated worshiper of Jehovah what is his position with respect to the world?

²¹ As the Creator and Almighty One, Jehovah has the right to receive the exclusive devotion of human creatures on the earth. Jehovah himself made this plain in giving his law to Israel: “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion.” (Ex. 20:4, 5, NW) That is a principle of truth or a fact. It is also a fact that his supremacy has been challenged by Satan, the god of this world, and this world is in opposition to Almighty God Jehovah. (Job 1:11; Isa. 14:13; Jas. 4:4) Christians make an unconditional dedication to Jehovah and thus become aliens to this devilish old world. Therefore dedication is like applying for citizenship in the new world and the formal ceremony of baptism is like an oath before witnesses confirming this fact. The founder of Christianity, Christ Jesus, set the example by his dedication and baptism, and then, at John 17:14 (NW), clearly stated concerning Christians: “They are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world.”

22. When Jesus set out the principle at John 17:14, why did he not give a multitude of minute rules and details for Christians to follow?

²² What did Jesus mean by the principle here stated? Why did he not go into detail and set out a multitude of rules for Christians to follow? It is true that he stated the principle a little earlier when he said to his followers, at John 15:19 (NW): “If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.” Yet he did not want Christians to be isolated from preaching to the world, for he prayed to Jehovah, at John 17:15 (NW): “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one.” Yes, there is danger from the god of this world. (2 Cor. 4:4) Jesus told Christians the theocratic principles, but he left it for them to reason on the Scriptures and to determine how to deal with Satan’s subtle snares and how to conduct their lives in this system of things.

23. How does the exemplary life of Christ aid Christians to reason on how to live in accord with the principles of God’s Word in this world?

²³ Christians upon the earth today have the benefit of seeing how Christ and the inspired apostles reasoned on Bible principles. Jesus himself had made a solemn dedication to serve Jehovah. That meant he was a minister or ambassador of Jehovah and was required to give his first attention to Jehovah’s service. He appreciated true values, visualizing the rightness of his position and keeping clear of the old world or false human reasonings. He preached the storing up of treasures in heaven and practiced what he preached by serving in full-time ministry. He understood the principles that all things belong to Jehovah and the blessing of Jehovah makes rich. He resisted the effort of the people to make him a king. Jesus was positive in his expressions and actions. He fully understood his place and the work to be done. While he was neutral toward the conflicts, politics and commerce of this world, yet he did not hesitate to speak out in condemnation of the violations of the righteous principles of God. He did not compromise principles with being overly tactful. Jesus refused to share in the false religions of his day, and by his strict adherence to God’s principles of righteousness he drew the fire of religious leaders, who caused him to be brought before the Roman rulers. There Jesus stated a principle: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” And then he said: “If my kingdom were part of this world, my attendants would have fought that I should not be delivered up to the Jews. But, as it is, my kingdom is not from this source.”—John 18:36, NW; also Matt. 6:20; 4:1-10; 23:4, 5.

Happy Those Who Refuse to Compromise

1. If Jesus had not been governed by principles what course of action might he have taken, but what course did he take?

BY TAKING a course of action contrary to the principles of Jehovah Jesus might have gained the favor of men and avoided some of the reproach and sufferings that he endured, but he was not the kind who bows to whatever is currently expedient. Jesus set his mind on exclusive devotion to Jehovah, resisting material things and entanglement with this world, and gained the eternal blessing of Jehovah. Our great Example was governed by principles rather than passion, and God’s law was in his heart. He would not compromise.—Ps. 40:8; Heb. 10:9.

2, 3. (a) What faithful examples of living by Christian principles do we see in the lives of the early Christians? (b) What principle did James set before the compromisers?

² The apostles saw his example and fully understood it with the help of holy spirit. They too dedicated their lives to Jehovah’s service, were baptized and advanced to spiritual maturity. The record of their actions and words emphasizes the way true Christians, guided by right principles, conduct themselves to be acceptable to Jehovah. It shows too that imperfect men such as we are can live by principles. When they faced persecutions they were as steadfast as Jesus, Peter and John, saying to the rulers who had them beaten for obeying right principles: “We must obey God as