Improving the Quality of Life Now

Even now there is much that can be done to improve the quality of one’s life. Millions of people are reversing the declining quality of their own lives in matters that they can control: family and social relations, manners, morality, language, cleanliness and other things in life that matter most. Though they appreciate the value of material things, these are kept in their place. (Eccl. 7:12; 1 Tim. 6:7-10) Who are those making such changes in their lives? From Quebec’s Journal de Montréal of July 27, 1973, consider this newswriter’s description:

“Jehovah’s Witnesses are very, very civilized people. Courtesy is their way of life. Neatness, cleanliness, and decency also. And this was easily noticeable at their assembly. . . .

“You almost feel as though you were in paradise, as the atmosphere is relaxed, peaceful, and serene. . . .

“And especially, no discrimination. People of all races enjoy fellowship together. There is no one with hidden motives or reservations.

“Decidedly, there is a great lesson to be learned from the conduct of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In observing them, one would think that America has been transformed.”

It is not America, but these Christians who have “been transformed.” What transformed them can transform anyone who wants to improve his quality of life now. The Bible explains how: “Do not conform outwardly to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind.”​—Rom. 12:2, Today’s English Version.

Personal study and application of the Bible’s principles can ‘transform a person inwardly,’ motivating a complete change of personality. It can reverse one’s self-indulgent attitudes that now destroy the quality of one’s life. As the Bible advises, you can clothe yourself with “the new personality, which through accurate knowledge is being made new.”​—Col. 3:5-10.

Accurate knowledge of the Bible also helps people to view realistically those things that are beyond their control: pollution, crime and violence, the behavior of others, and so on. Rather than being disheartened, they rejoice in the knowledge that these things are evidence that “destruction of the ungodly men” and their ways is very close. Then God’s kingdom will bring in the righteous conditions that are so much desired.​—2 Pet. 3:1-7, 13; Isa. 65:17, 20-22; Luke 21:28-31.

This knowledge gives these Christians a truly positive outlook. The Trenton, New Jersey, Sunday Times Advertiser marvels: “In an age of doubt and uncertainty, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are very certain. Through the apathy of the 50’s, the chaos of the 60’s and the disillusion that has already accompanied the burgeoning 70’s, they have continued to be very certain and to spread . . . a way of life governed by a word-for-word adherence to the Bible.”​—April 7, 1974.

Thus, God has already set in motion the reversal of man’s declining quality of life. Right now He is raising the quality of life of the people who will enjoy life in His “new earth.” As if noting this, the London Sunday Telegraph says of more than 50,000 of them assembled at Twickenham Stadium:

“Undoubtedly there is none of the gloom traditionally associated with those who declare that ‘The End Is Nigh.’ Nigh it may be. In the meantime everyone seems to be enjoying himself in a sober, upright, Godly but cheerful manner. . . .

“If the present world order really is about to break down, the Witnesses at Twickenham seem well prepared to organise the new one.”​—August 5, 1973.

You can improve the quality of your life too. Prove for yourself that the Bible’s principles really work in an age when everything else seems to have failed. Accept Jehovah’s witnesses’ free offer to help you to learn from the Bible how to enjoy things in life that really matter.

People Who Enjoy Lives of Real Quality

THERE are people in over two hundred lands who have turned away from ways of life that were built on unsatisfying human philosophies. They have learned the value of the guidance found in God’s Word, the Bible. As a result, they are living rewarding, high-quality lives. Noting this about Jehovah’s Christian witnesses, the Trenton, New Jersey, Sunday Times Advertiser of April 7, 1974, reported: “In essence then their entire lives, the morality, the day-to-day interaction with their families, friends and coworkers, the goals and philosophy, are built on a literal interpretation of Biblical text.”

They simply believe what the Bible says about good-quality life, its counsel on morals, family life, human relations and work. And it works! They do not employ philosophies that pay lip service to the Bible while actually sidestepping its wise counsel. A joyful, harmonious life is the result.

Noting this, the article continues: “The claim to joy and harmony seems substantiated by a visit to a Kingdom Hall for a typical Sunday meeting. The first impression is of a family reunion. Families, many with infants or young children on their laps, greeting other families with warm handshakes, kisses and hearty hellos. Black and white couples intermingle, exchanging news, introducing guests. There is no formality. At one time or another in the meeting, it seems as if everyone is smiling.”

How does the application of Bible principles affect the day-to-day quality of life among these families? A staff writer from the paper visited the home of one young couple with a seven-year-old son to find out. She writes that she found an “immaculate home, much of which [the wife] has refurbished and decorated herself.” Her interview with this young mother revealed how Bible principles have improved the quality of their lives.

“‘We found out what real friends are. And we’ve become so happy together. . . . I go out of my way to fix myself up for [my husband] more. The Bible says, “Seek the advantage of the other person above your own,” and that is now how we live.’”​—1 Cor. 10:24.

“In return, [the wife] has seen a change in her husband she says she could never have dreamed.

“‘He used to spend every Saturday out in the woods hunting and every Sunday watching football. Business was very important to him. That’s all changed now. He sold all his guns and bought cameras and now we go out into the woods together and take slides of all the beautiful things Jehovah has given us. . . . we take our vacation by attending Bible conferences all over the world. We never used to travel. We were worried so much about money and furniture. But the Bible says, “Let your manner of life be free from the love of money.”’”​—Heb. 13:5.

They are anxious to share what they have with others so that they can improve the quality of their lives too. Says the reporter: “Today [the couple] lead a life built around their commitment to Jehovah. Both of them spend time in door-to-door service and [she] says she has had ‘many wonderful experiences bringing people Jehovah’s word​—I have literally seen it work miracles for people.’”

Another young husband in Massachusetts tells how he “lived the life-style that is generally associated with that of a musician” in a successful rock band. “Drugs and immorality were two things that were commonplace.”

“My home and family life were breaking down. About this time one of Jehovah’s witnesses came to the door.”

He, his wife and later his two friends accepted the free Bible study assistance offered by Jehovah’s witnesses. Within a year the quality of all their lives had changed drastically. “My friends and I all dropped out of the entertainment world, we stopped using drugs, and my two friends married their girl friends, whom they had previously been living with, and within a year all six of us were baptized, and are still faithfully serving Jehovah.”

Hundreds of thousands of people each year, responding to the counsel of God’s Word, are making the changes that bring true quality to their lives now. At the same time, they are filled with the grand hope of eternal life in God’s new order, where the quality of life will far surpass anything man has ever experienced.