places with the stones means they will break their silence to become praising, preaching ministers, while we, because we are stonehearted and stoneheaded, will eventually become stone dead!

ALONG WITH FAITH, HAVE DETERMINATION!

28. Explain what determination is, and why it is a necessary quality?

²⁸ Firm decision on a certain course of action to be taken, is one definition of determination. It also means resoluteness, being persistent against opposition or attempts to dissuade or discourage one in his pursuit. (See Webster’s Third International Dictionary.) Certainly this is a necessary quality that those pleasing Jehovah must have. Persons lacking determination, who are indecisive, wishy-washy, and who are carried about like wandering clouds by every windy idea that blows their way, are repeatedly condemned in the Scriptures. (Eph. 4:14; Jas. 1:8; 4:8) Lacking conviction and determination causes one to hold back instead of moving ahead in the face of opposition. “Now we are not the sort that shrink back to destruction, but the sort that have faith to the preserving alive of the soul.”—Heb. 10:39.

29, 30. Why do all those in the race for the Kingdom need to have determination?

²⁹ If your faith is to continue strong and unshakable you must be fully convinced you have the truth, and you must be fully resolved and determined that, come what may, you will faithfully serve Jehovah. Without such a strong determination you are bound to drop out of the race sooner or later. “Do you not know that the runners in a race all run, but only one receives the prize?” The obvious answer being in the affirmative, the apostle’s conclusion is, “Run in such a way that you may attain it.”—1 Cor. 9:24-26.

³⁰ In a race it takes determination and endurance to win. The victor is not the one who starts off with a burst of speed only to turn aside and quit before the finish line is reached. Rather, the winner is the one that has determination to stick to the course to the end. The swift do not always win the race, King Solomon observed. (Eccl. 9:11) Jesus too declared: “He that has endured to the end [not the quitter] is the one that will be saved.”—Matt. 24:13.

31. Why may we confidently expect that our faith will be tested to the limit?

³¹ We cannot ignore the present world conditions. We must be realistic and face up to them. As great as the present dangers and pressures are, we may confidently expect they will become even greater in the future. Our faith will be tested to the very limit before this dying devilish system finally breathes its last. As first-century Christians, you too may suffer much and be “grieved by various trials, in order that the tested quality of your faith, of much greater value than gold that perishes despite its being proved by fire, may be found a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”—1 Pet. 1:6, 7.

32. Yet, why should we never slow down or quit?

³² Some may even be killed by the Devil and his demons. But do not let this frighten you, or cause you to quit. That would be cowardly, even suicidal, for cowards will never live in God’s kingdom. (Rev. 21:8) The wise course is to press forward with full faith and determination, and with complete confidence and reliance on Jehovah, even if it means a violent death. For your encouragement it is written: “Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. Look! The Devil will keep on throwing some of you into prison that you may be fully put to the test . . . [Therefore] prove yourself faithful even to death, and I will give you the crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10.

33. What rewards, now and in the future, are received by those faithful to Jehovah?

³³ Faith, strong uncompromising faith proven by works, and, with it, resolute determination to obey his commands, are the things that make Jehovah’s heart rejoice. (Prov. 27:11) In turn, this Great Rewarder richly blesses such faithful ones with many grand privileges in this “time of the end.” Their cup of joy overflows. And what a glorious prize yet awaits them, when the highest, the crowning reward of endless life becomes their everlasting possession! As it is written: “The righteous one will live by reason of faith.”—Gal. 3:11; Rom. 1:17.

Christians Should Lead Honest Lives

Is it possible to be honest today? How can a Christian maintain a good conscience?

DO YOU recall the days when you could leave home with your family for a few days without double-locking the door? Do you remember when you could make a purchase and put the change in your pocket without feeling you ought to count it first? If these things are still in your memory, then no doubt you are at least approaching middle age, for in most places those days disappeared some time ago.

Thievery, lying and cheating have become almost as commonplace as eating and sleeping. The thief is now taken for granted. In many places he no longer confines his ‘work’ to the hours of darkness. Rather, he often relieves his victim of his belongings in broad daylight at knife point, confident that no one will interfere. In fact, he has almost become a hero. If he gets caught it is viewed by some as a sad ending.

But you must have noticed that this indulgent attitude extends beyond the field of the common thief. By far, the vast majority of dishonest acts originate with so-called