⁷ Personal peace does not come automatically simply because a person has come within Jehovah’s peaceful organization. Each one must do his part. As the apostle Peter declared: “He that would love life and see good days, let him restrain his tongue from what is bad and his lips from speaking deception, but let him turn away from what is bad and do what is good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Pet. 3:10, 11) From Peter’s inspired words it is plain that, if we are to enjoy the peace of Jehovah’s organization, peace must be a working reality on the individual level. It must not be just a broad organizational quality. The apostle John also underscores this point, saying: “Little children, let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth.” (1 John 3:18) Words alone will not suffice; deeds and truth are needed.

3. (a) What does the prophet Isaiah have to say about the origin of peace? (b) Why can nations not claim such peace, but who can, and why?

³ Peace, however, by means of such transforming power, comes, not by the political manipulations of men, but by the righteousness of Jehovah God. Note what Jehovah’s prophet Isaiah wrote about this peace seven centuries before our Common Era. First he says that a true peace can never come to earth “until upon us the spirit [of Jehovah] is poured out from on high.” Isaiah then goes on to say: “The work of the true righteousness must become peace; and the service of the true righteousness, quietness and security to time indefinite.” (Isa. 32:15-17) What nations of the world can claim that in all their modern deliberations for peace their first concern was God’s righteousness? They have never aimed that high. Therefore, they have never reaped the peace spoken of by the prophet of God. But God’s people, his witnesses, have shown a genuine concern for the righteousness of God. For Jehovah is the God of peace; peace is a fruit of his spirit. (2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:22) Rightly, his witnesses have reaped the peace of God that excels all thought, which has guarded their hearts and mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7) It is to this peace that all who love righteousness and wish to live eternally must now give due consideration.

BENEFITING FROM THE PEACE JEHOVAH GIVES HIS ORGANIZATION

4. What state of affairs prevails in Jehovah’s organization, and how was this foretold?

⁴ Jehovah has given abundant peace to his organization because of its concern for righteousness. This peace is manifest by the state of calmness, tranquillity and harmonious relations that exists among Jehovah’s witnesses. They do not strain or bicker over how Jehovah runs his organization. This climate of peace was foretold at Isaiah 60:17: “I will appoint peace as your overseers and righteousness as your task assigners.” Without God’s righteousness, there can be no true or lasting peace.