give up your faith because any man, either through design or imperfection, commits a grave wrong? In other words, do you follow Christ or men?

It is a different case when an organization professing to be Christian ignores the Scriptural commands to disfellowship unrepentant wrongdoers, as is often the way in Christendom’s churches. Such an organization shows by its indifference that it does not have God’s favor and does not seek it. One would have to leave that church and seek the true Christian congregation that stops associating with wrongdoers, however prominent they may be. What position does your church take in this matter?

Jehovah’s witnesses obey the Bible command to put unrepentant wrongdoers out of the congregation. Just as Paul mentioned the names of certain ones disfellowshiped by him, so Jehovah’s witnesses announce the names of those no longer welcome among them because of unchristian conduct. This firm disciplining of lawless ones keeps the organization clean, allowing God’s spirit to operate freely on each congregation. Into such a clean organization gladly come men and women in search of the knowledge of God and Christ that leads to everlasting life. (John 17:3) When such ones observe that Jehovah’s witnesses take swift action against those deserving discipline, this fact should strengthen their confidence in the organization and increase their own determination to serve Jehovah God faithfully, in the footsteps of Christ.

As true Christians, let us continue to become good examples to the faithful ones “in speaking, in conduct, in love, in faith, in chasteness.” (1 Tim. 4:12) “Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance. Slave for the Master, Christ.”—Col. 3:23, 24.

Yes, be a true Christian—not a follower of men.

Known by Their Conduct

HIGH SCHOOL student in the city of Maceio, Brazil, noticing Jehovah’s witnesses visiting the homes, became curious to know what message they were bringing to householders. When a Witness called at her neighbor’s house, she went over and asked the Witness to come and explain the message to her parents. The good news of God’s kingdom attracted this student. Soon she began attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall, and shortly thereafter she was invited to attend a district assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses. On the first day of the assembly she lost her wallet containing all her money. One of the Witnesses found it and took it to the lost and found department. Later this student was relieved of her distress when her wallet was returned to her intact. Impressed by the honesty, love and unity shown by these Christian witnesses of Jehovah, this student took a firm stand for God’s truth. Three months later she symbolized her dedication to God by water baptism.

At another city in Brazil, one of Jehovah’s witnesses went to a police station for a certain document. While there he could not help but hear a man accusing several persons of having stolen his chickens. The accused persons defended themselves as best they could, denying that they committed the crime of stealing chickens. This led to a confusion of accusations and counteraccusations, in the midst of which someone asked the man why he had not filed a complaint against one of his neighbors who also happened to have chickens of the same kind. The accuser, in the same heated way in which he was arguing, said he would not ask the police to investigate this neighbor of his, “because he’s a true Christian, one of Jehovah’s witnesses, and for this reason would never practice such an unworthy act.”