endeavored to inculcate within his followers?

MAKING OVER THE MIND

21. Why must Christians be transformed by making their minds over?

²¹ How clear it is that to maintain a proper relationship with your Christian brothers you must “quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over”! (Rom. 12:2) The Christian attitude of mind is so different from that of worldly people. How common it is for persons with special education, such as the clergy, medical doctors, scientists or lawyers, to have a superior attitude, thinking that they are better than others! The same is true of persons with special talents, such as sport or movie personalities, or those possessing attributes of striking physical beauty or exceptional intelligence. The admiration that these receive often causes them to have a superior frame of mind. But remember that the balanced Christian attitude is one of “lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you.”—Phil. 2:3

22. What does it mean to be lowly of mind and to consider that others are superior to you?

²² What, though, does it mean to be lowly of mind and to consider that others are superior to you? It does not mean, for example, that an expert violin player should think that a companion who has never touched that instrument can play it better than he. This obviously is not the case. Many people have training or talents that cause them to excel above others who have not had similar training or possess comparable talents. But this does not make them superior persons. Nor should it cause them to be high-minded, considering that others are inferior to them. The Bible is here referring to one’s attitude of mind, and the sincere mental attitude of a Christian should be that others are superior to him. He should never think that somehow he is a superior person, and therefore should be waited upon and served by others. Undoubtedly there was not one activity to which Jesus’ apostles set their hand or mind that Jesus could not have done many times better. Yet, Jesus humbly ministered to them, even getting down and washing their feet!

23. In what way are Christians who have a balanced view different from many people of the world?

²³ How refreshing and pleasant are ones who truly demonstrate this humble attitude of mind! What a fine, balanced view these have toward their relationship with their Christian brothers! They are altogether different from persons of this system of things. Just because some may have more money or material possessions this does not cause them to think that they should receive special consideration over persons of lesser means. They appreciate that money does not make them superior persons, and they act accordingly. (1 Tim. 6:17) Similarly, persons belonging to a particular race or nationality realize that this does not in any way make them superior to others. Therefore, they remain lowly in mind, sincerely considering that even persons of a less popular race or nationality are superior to them.—Rom. 10:12.

24, 25. Who especially should take the lead in exercising love and demonstrating lowliness of mind?

²⁴ This same humble frame of mind should especially be exercised by the appointed overseers, ministerial servants and others who enjoy special privileges of service within the Christian organization. True, others in the congregation are urged to cooperate with and imitate the faith of such ones, but none of these taking the lead should ever think that they are superior because they preside at meetings, perhaps have greater speaking or organizational abilities, or are able to devote more time to Jehovah’s service. (Heb. 13:7, 17) Note that after urging the younger men to be in subjection to the older men who are responsible for shepherding God’s flock, the apostle Peter instructed: “All of you gird yourselves with lowliness of mind toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.” (1 Pet. 5:5) None are omitted. Everyone, including the one taking the lead, is to gird himself with lowliness of mind. “Be in subjection to one another in fear of Christ,” the Bible commands.—Eph. 5:21.

²⁵ The overseer should, in fact, be the one setting the example in being humble and lowly of mind. This is what the Right Shepherd Jesus Christ did. He went to great lengths to impress by example the need for his followers to have love and humility. So, then, should the overseer. He is not a boss, but a servant of his brothers. (Matt. 20:25-27) This is something vital for him to remember. Yes, it is a matter that every Christian should learn well, for in order to maintain balance in our relationship with one another, we must be loving our brothers and never think that we are superior to them.—1 John 4:21; Phil. 2:2-4.

26. What is a real incentive to maintaining Christian balance now?

²⁶ Think ahead to the time when everyone who lives on earth will have this same refreshing attitude of mind! What a pleasant place this will be to live! Then everyone alive will be perfectly clothed with the “tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness,” and especially love. (Col. 3:12-14) Yes, all will love Jehovah God with their whole heart, mind, soul and strength; and they will have a Christlike love for their brothers. What a grand incentive to maintain balance now, so as to live then!

‘Suffering Evil as a Right Kind of Soldier’

As told by Gerhard Oltmanns

‘AT ALL costs we will obey the laws of God even if it means losing our lives and we will continue to assemble for worship. If your government oppresses us it will have to render an account to God Almighty.’ These were the concluding thoughts of a resolution received at the Chancellery of the Third Reich on October 7, 1934. Hundreds of copies of the same message came from congregations of the banned “earnest Bible students,” known in other countries as Jehovah’s witnesses.

I shall never forget that day, for at ten o’clock that morning we had assembled for prayer, and then, after discussion, we resolved unanimously to send this message to Hitler’s government. We could never follow Hitler as leader, or recognize him as such, for we had already undertaken to be ‘fine soldiers of Jesus Christ,’ the genuine God-given “leader and commander to the national groups.” (2 Tim. 2:3; Isa. 55:4) To me especially it was a thrilling occasion.