and urging his followers to do likewise. Today Jehovah’s witnesses are known for their sincerity and zealousness in talking about the Kingdom as they make their faith known from the house-tops.—Matt. 10:27.

24, 25. What opposition do the Scriptures foretell? How is the truth spreading despite that?

²⁴ Do you make your faith known to your friends? Are you faithful to the terms of your dedication? To the vow you made to Jehovah? Are you fulfilling the commission that Jesus gave for all Christians that this good news of the Kingdom would be preached world-wide? (Eccl. 5:4, 5; Isa. 61:1, 2; Matt. 24:14) Never let your faith diminish, even though opposed by your own family. Micah 7:6 shows that a man’s worst enemies may be those of his own household; a daughter may turn against the mother and the son against the father. Jesus went on to explain that, because of faith or the lack of faith, one would be taken along and the other abandoned at the end of this old-world system, though they had been living or working side by side. (Matt. 24:40, 41) Faith is our protection and our salvation, even though it may be put to the proof by family ties.

²⁵ We know faith can move mountains, but do we let it move us? If some do not want to hear the truth, we need not force it on them as pearls of truth to swine, but we should let our faith be known so that those who want to can hear and learn. Then we shall be able to say in the words of Paul: “They did not fail to hear, did they? Why, in fact, ‘into all the earth their sound went out, and to the ends of the inhabited earth their words.’” (Rom. 10:18-21, NW) Again Paul declared: “Your faith is talked about throughout the whole world.” (Rom. 1:8, NW) Certainly that is true today as the thundering message of truth is proclaimed by Jehovah’s faithful witnesses in 160 countries in all parts of the earth. If we thus display our faith and make it known to others it will make glad the heart of Jehovah and we shall have the joy of leading men of good will toward life.—Zech. 8:23.

26. Is only faith necessary to salvation?

²⁶ Some persons have the thought that they will be saved because of their faith alone, but many scriptures show that faith must be tried and tested and proved by works. It must be based on accurate knowledge and must be demonstrated to the full end. In this connection, Revelation 2:25, 26 (NW) says: “Just the same, hold fast what you have until I come. And to him that conquers and observes my deeds down to the complete end I will give authority over the nations.” Do not think that God is a sentimentalist who will compromise, change his word or make special provision for some person not showing enduring faith and love for him. God does not change his righteous requirements. Just because we have faith now, that will not save us if we permit it to grow weak and die.

27. Is “once saved always saved” true? Give scriptures.

²⁷ Even though a person progresses in the truth and comes to the cherished relationship of sonship with God, having accurate knowledge and receiving the spirit of God, still if his faith toward God crumbles he shows himself to be no son but an outcast. He is like the son who promised to work for his father and then never did so. He proved himself faithless to his word and vow. (Matt. 21:28-31) At Hebrews 10:26 (NW), we are told: “For if we practice sin willfully after having received the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left.” Hebrews 6:4-6 (NW) clearly says: “For it is impossible as regards those who have once for all been enlightened and who have tasted the heavenly free gift and who have become partakers of holy spirit and who have tasted the right word of God and powers of the coming system of things, but who have fallen away, to revive them again to repentance, because they impale the Son of God afresh for themselves and expose him to public shame.” Such ones had faith, they were blessed by God, only to disown their sonship and be cast off. Exercising faith and strengthening it saves one from coming to such a condition. We are now approaching the great hour of testing at Armageddon. We must show our faith by positive action one way or the other. If we are lukewarm in our devotion to Jehovah, or show lack of faith to move us to action, we shall be cast off.—Rev. 3:10, 16.

28. Why should no one be discouraged from sharing in God’s service?

²⁸ This should not discourage those who are weak in faith or new in understanding, but it should rather spur them on to strengthen their knowledge and faith in God and to increase their service to His honor. Jesus explained that if we have faith even as tiny as a grain of mustard it can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20) Keep your binding chain of faith toward God strong by refreshing your mind constantly on his Word; keep it free and bright by constant use. Inspect it for defects and then remedy them. As Paul wrote: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.”—2 Cor. 13:5, NW.

29. What does God require of us in addition to faith?

²⁹ If our faith is deep-rooted and founded in accurate knowledge then the little seed of faith will grow and flourish unaffected by the chill of indifference or the heat of persecution. This faith will continue growing as we cultivate it and will be richly blessed by Jehovah. Such faith is closely tied in with other qualities as shown in 2 Peter 1:5-11 (NW). We must make a painstaking effort to supply to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, self-control, endurance, godly devotion, brotherly affection and love. “For if these things exist in you and overflow, they will prevent you from being either inactive or unfruitful regarding the accurate knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. . . . For this reason, brothers, all the more do your utmost to render the calling and choosing of you firm for yourselves; for if you keep on doing these things you will by no means ever fail.” Therefore be encouraged to press on in faith to Jehovah. Do not be daunted by the trials that may beset a Christian, but rely on the power and Word of God and put your trust in him.

Tested Quality of Faith

1. How are we forearmed against trouble?

THE faith of Jehovah’s witnesses will never be destroyed by times of trouble. We know that the servant is not greater than the Master, and just as Jesus was persecuted and his faith put to the proof, so with his followers today. (John 15:20) We expect trouble from the old-world systems, but our faith is confirmed by it, not destroyed. Satan, who is prophetically referred to as Gog of Magog, is ready to reach out and make war against God’s servants on earth. His forces are pictured as encamped around the open and unarmed