Happy That Jehovah Shows Us His Way

“As for the true God, perfect is his way; the saying of Jehovah is a refined one.”​—2 SAMUEL 22:31.

1, 2. (a) For what do all humans have a fundamental need? (b) Whose example would we do well to imitate?

ALL humans have a fundamental need for guidance. Indeed, we need help in making our way through life. True, Jehovah has endowed us with a measure of intelligence and a conscience to help us to discern right from wrong. But our conscience needs to be trained if it is to be a reliable guide. (Hebrews 5:14) And our mind needs correct information​—as well as training to evaluate that information—​if we are to make good decisions. (Proverbs 2:1-5) Even then, because of life’s uncertainties, our decisions may fail to turn out as desired. (Ecclesiastes 9:11) In ourselves, we have no reliable way to know what the future holds.

² For these and many other reasons, the prophet Jeremiah wrote: “I well know, O Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.” (Jeremiah 10:23) Jesus Christ, the greatest man who ever lived, accepted direction. He said: “The Son cannot do a single thing of his own initiative, but only what he beholds the Father doing. For whatever things that One does, these things the Son also does in like manner.” (John 5:19) How wise, then, to imitate Jesus and look to Jehovah for help in directing our steps! King David sang: “As for the true God, perfect is his way; the saying of Jehovah is a refined one. A shield he is to all those taking refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31) If we seek to walk in Jehovah’s way rather than follow our own wisdom, we will have perfect guidance. Rejecting God’s way leads to calamity.

Jehovah Shows the Way

3. How did Jehovah guide Adam and Eve, offering them what prospects?

³ Consider the case of Adam and Eve. Sinless though they were, they needed direction. Jehovah did not leave Adam to plan everything for himself in the beautiful garden of Eden. Instead, God gave him work to do. First, Adam had to name the animals. Then, Jehovah gave Adam and Eve long-term goals. They were to subdue the earth, fill it with their offspring, and care for earth’s animals. (Genesis 1:28) This would be a huge task, but the end result would be a worldwide paradise filled with a perfect human race living in harmony with the animal creation. What a wonderful prospect! Further, while Adam and Eve were faithfully walking in Jehovah’s way, they would have communication with him. (Compare Genesis 3:8.) What a marvelous privilege​—to have an ongoing, personal relationship with the Creator!

4. How did Adam and Eve betray a lack of trust and loyalty, and with what disastrous results?

⁴ Jehovah forbade the first human pair to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad that was in Eden, and this gave them an immediate opportunity to demonstrate their obedience​—their desire to walk in Jehovah’s way. (Genesis 2:17) Soon, though, that obedience was tested. When Satan came with his deceptive words, Adam and Eve needed to show loyalty to Jehovah and to have trust in His promises if they were to remain obedient. Unhappily, they lacked loyalty and trust. When Satan offered Eve independence and falsely accused Jehovah of lying, she was deceived and disobeyed God. Adam followed her into sin. (Genesis 3:1-6; 1 Timothy 2:14) Their resulting loss was immense. Walking in Jehovah’s way would have given them ever-increasing joy as they progressively accomplished his will. Instead, their lives were filled with disappointment and pain until death overtook them.​—Genesis 3:16-19; 5:1-5.

5. What is Jehovah’s long-range purpose, and how does he help faithful humans to see its fulfillment?

⁵ Nevertheless, Jehovah did not change his purpose that some day the earth will be a paradise home for perfect, sinless humans. (Psalm 37:11, 29) And he has never failed to give perfect guidance to those who walk in his way and hope to see the fulfillment of that promise. For those of us with ears to hear, Jehovah’s voice is behind us, saying: “This is the way. Walk in it, you people.”​—Isaiah 30:21.

Some Walked in Jehovah’s Way

6. What two men of early times walked in Jehovah’s way, and with what results?

⁶ According to the Bible record, only a minority of the offspring of Adam and Eve walked in Jehovah’s way. Abel was the first of these. Although he suffered a premature death, he died in Jehovah’s favor and thus has the sure prospect of sharing in the “resurrection of . . . the righteous” in God’s due time. (Acts 24:15) He will see the eventual fulfillment of Jehovah’s great purpose for the earth and mankind. (Hebrews 11:4) Another who walked in Jehovah’s way was Enoch, whose prophecy about the final end of this system of things is preserved in the book of Jude. (Jude 14, 15) Enoch too failed to live out his potential life span. (Genesis 5:21-24) Still, “he had the witness that he had pleased God well.” (Hebrews 11:5) When he left the earthly scene, he, like Abel, had the certain prospect of a resurrection, and he will be among those who will see Jehovah’s purposes fulfilled.

7. How did Noah and his family show loyalty to Jehovah and trust in him?

⁷ As the pre-Flood world sank deeper into wickedness, obedience to Jehovah became more and more a test of loyalty. Toward the end of that world, only one small group was found walking in Jehovah’s way. Noah and his family listened to God and trusted what he said. They faithfully accomplished the tasks set before them and refused to be sucked into the evil practices of the world of those days. (Genesis 6:5-7, 13-16; Hebrews 11:7; 2 Peter 2:5) We can be grateful for their loyal and trusting obedience. Because of it, they survived the Flood and became our ancestors.​—Genesis 6:22; 1 Peter 3:20.

8. For the nation of Israel, what was involved in walking in God’s way?

⁸ In time, Jehovah made a covenant with the descendants of faithful Jacob, and they became his special nation. (Exodus 19:5, 6) Jehovah supplied direction for his covenant people through a written Law, a priesthood, and ongoing prophetic guidance. But it was up to the Israelites to follow that direction. Jehovah had his prophet tell the Israelites: “See, I am putting before you today blessing and malediction: the blessing, provided you will obey the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you today; and the malediction, if you will not obey the commandments of Jehovah your God and you do turn aside from the way about which I am commanding you today, so as to walk after other gods whom you have not known.”​—Deuteronomy 11:26-28.

Why Some Abandoned Jehovah’s Way

9, 10. Because of what situation did the Israelites need to trust in Jehovah and cultivate loyalty to him?

⁹ As with Adam and Eve, the Israelites needed to trust in Jehovah and be loyal to him if they were to remain obedient. Israel was a small nation surrounded by contentious neighbors. To the southwest were Egypt and Ethiopia. To the northeast were Syria and Assyria. In the immediate vicinity were Philistia, Ammon, Moab, and Edom. At one time or another, all of these proved to be enemies of Israel. Moreover, all of them practiced false religion, characterized by worship of idol gods, astrology, and in some cases gross sexual rites and the cruel sacrifice of children. Israel’s neighbors looked to their gods to provide large families, fertile harvests, and victory in warfare.

¹⁰ Israel alone worshiped one God, Jehovah. He promised them the blessings of large families, rich harvests, and security against their enemies if they would obey his laws. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) Unhappily, many in Israel failed to do this. Of those who did walk in Jehovah’s way, many suffered for their loyalty. Some were even tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, and killed by fellow Israelites. (Acts 7:51, 52; Hebrews 11:35-38) What a test that must have been for the faithful! Why, though, did so many stray from Jehovah’s way? Two examples from Israel’s history help us to see their wrong thinking.

Ahaz’ Bad Example

11, 12. (a) When threatened by Syria, what did Ahaz refuse to do? (b) To what two sources did Ahaz look for security?

¹¹ Ahaz reigned over the southern kingdom of Judah in the eighth century B.C.E. His reign was not peaceful. On one occasion, Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel united in war against him, and “his heart and the heart of his people began to quiver.” (Isaiah 7:1, 2) However, when Jehovah offered support and invited Ahaz to put him to the test, Ahaz flatly refused! (Isaiah 7:10-12) As a result, Judah lost the war and suffered many casualties.​—2 Chronicles 28:1-8.

¹² While Ahaz refused to put Jehovah to the test, he was not above asking help from the king of Assyria. Still, Judah continued to suffer at the hands of its neighbors. When Assyria too turned against Ahaz and “caused him distress,” the king “began to sacrifice to the gods of Damascus that were striking him, and he went on to say: ‘Because the gods of the kings of Syria are helping them, to them I shall sacrifice, that they may help me.’”​—2 Chronicles 28:20, 23.

13. What did Ahaz show by turning to Syria’s gods?

¹³ At a later time, Jehovah would say to Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17, 18) In turning to the gods of Syria, Ahaz showed how far he was from ‘treading in the way in which he should walk.’ He was completely misled by the thinking of the nations, looking to their false sources of security instead of to Jehovah.

14. Why did Ahaz have no excuse when he turned to false gods?

¹⁴ The gods of the nations, including those of Syria, had long been shown to be “valueless gods.” (Isaiah 2:8) Earlier, during the reign of King David, Jehovah’s superiority over Syria’s gods was clearly seen when the Syrians became David’s servants. (1 Chronicles 18:5, 6) Jehovah alone, “the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the God great, mighty and fear-inspiring,” can give real security. (Deuteronomy 10:17) Ahaz, though, turned his back on Jehovah and looked to the gods of the nations for security. The result was disastrous for Judah.​—2 Chronicles 28:24, 25.

The Jews With Jeremiah in Egypt

15. In what way did the Jews in Egypt in Jeremiah’s day sin?

¹⁵ Because of the extreme disloyalty of his people, in 607 B.C.E., Jehovah allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem and its temple. Most of the nation were exiled to Babylon. Some, though, were left behind, among them the prophet Jeremiah. When Governor Gedaliah was assassinated, this group fled to Egypt and took Jeremiah with them. (2 Kings 25:22-26; Jeremiah 43:5-7) There, they began sacrificing to false deities. Jeremiah remonstrated with the unfaithful Jews, but they were stubborn. They refused to turn to Jehovah and insisted that they would keep on making sacrificial smoke to the “queen of the heavens.” Why? Because this is what they and their forefathers had done ‘in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, when they used to be satisfied with bread and to be well off, and they did not see any calamity at all.’ (Jeremiah 44:16, 17) The Jews also contended: “From the time that we ceased to make sacrificial smoke to the ‘queen of the heavens’ and pour out drink offerings to her we have lacked everything, and by the sword and by the famine we have come to our finish.”​—Jeremiah 44:18.

16. Why were the Jews in Egypt utterly wrong in their reasoning?

¹⁶ How selective the memory can be! What were the facts? The Jews had indeed sacrificed to false gods in the land Jehovah had given them. Sometimes, as in the time of Ahaz, they suffered because of that apostasy. However, Jehovah was “slow to anger” with his covenant people. (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15) He sent his prophets to urge them to repent. At times, when the king was faithful, Jehovah blessed him, and the people benefited from that blessing, even though most of them were unfaithful. (2 Chronicles 20:29-33; 27:1-6) How wrong those Jews in Egypt were to claim that any prosperity enjoyed back in their homeland had come from their false gods!

17. Why did Judah lose its land and temple?

¹⁷ Before 607 B.C.E., Jehovah had urged the people of Judah: “Obey my voice, and I will become your God, and you yourselves will become my people; and you must walk in all the way that I shall command you, in order that it may go well with you.” (Jeremiah 7:23) The Jews lost their temple and their land precisely because they refused to walk ‘in all the way that Jehovah had commanded them.’ Let us be sure to avoid that fatal error.

Jehovah Blesses Those Who Walk in His Way

18. What must those who walk in Jehovah’s way do?

¹⁸ Today, as in the past, walking in Jehovah’s way demands loyalty​—a determination to serve him alone. It demands trust​—complete faith that Jehovah’s promises are reliable and will come true. Walking in Jehovah’s way demands obedience​—following his laws without deviation and keeping his high standards. “Jehovah is righteous; he does love righteous acts.”​—Psalm 11:7.

19. Which gods do many worship today, and with what results?

¹⁹ Ahaz looked to the gods of Syria for security. The Israelites down in Egypt hoped that the “queen of the heavens,” a goddess widely worshiped in the ancient Middle East, would bring them material prosperity. Today, many gods are not literal idols. Jesus warned against serving “Riches” rather than Jehovah. (Matthew 6:24) The apostle Paul spoke of “covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) He also spoke of those whose “god is their belly.” (Philippians 3:19) Yes, money and material things are among the main gods worshiped today. In reality, most​—including many with religious affiliations—​‘rest their hope on uncertain riches.’ (1 Timothy 6:17) Many work very hard serving these gods, and some reap rewards​—living in the best homes, enjoying expensive things, and eating sumptuous meals. Not all enjoy such affluence, however. And even those who do eventually find these things unsatisfying in themselves. They are uncertain, temporary, and do not satisfy spiritual needs.​—Matthew 5:3.

20. What balance do we need to maintain?

²⁰ True, we have to be practical as we live through the last days of this system of things. We need to take reasonable steps to provide for our families in a material way. But if we place greater value on a high standard of living, the pursuit of money, or similar things than on serving God, we have fallen into a kind of idolatry and are no longer walking in Jehovah’s way. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) What, though, when we meet up with health, financial, or other problems? Let us not be like those Jews in Egypt who blamed their problems on serving God. Rather, let us put Jehovah to the test, which Ahaz failed to do. Loyally turn to Jehovah God for guidance. Trustfully apply his guidance, and pray for strength and wisdom to handle every situation. Then, confidently wait for Jehovah’s blessing.

21. What blessings come to those who walk in Jehovah’s way?

²¹ Over the course of Israel’s history, Jehovah richly blessed those who walked in his way. King David sang: “O Jehovah, lead me in your righteousness by reason of my foes.” (Psalm 5:8) To him, Jehovah gave military victories over neighboring nations that later harassed Ahaz. Under Solomon, Israel was blessed with the peace and prosperity that the Jews in Egypt longed for later on. To Ahaz’ son Hezekiah, Jehovah even gave victory over mighty Assyria. (Isaiah 59:1) Yes, Jehovah’s hand was not short toward his loyal ones, who did not stand “in the way of sinners” but whose delight was in the law of God. (Psalm 1:1, 2) The same is still true. How, though, can we today be sure that we are walking in Jehovah’s way? This will be discussed in the next article.

Keep On Walking in Jehovah’s Way

“Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth.”​—PSALM 37:34.

1, 2. What did walking in Jehovah’s way involve for King David, and what does it require of us today?

“MAKE known to me the way in which I should walk, for to you I have lifted up my soul.” (Psalm 143:8) Christians today wholeheartedly echo those words of King David. They sincerely want to please Jehovah and walk in his way. What does this involve? For David, it meant keeping God’s law. It involved trusting in Jehovah rather than in alliances with the nations. Yes, and it meant loyally serving Jehovah, not the gods of neighboring peoples. For Christians, walking in Jehovah’s way involves more.

² For one thing, walking in Jehovah’s way today means exercising faith in Jesus Christ’s ransom sacrifice, acknowledging him as “the way and the truth and the life.” (John 3:16; 14:6; Hebrews 5:9) It means, too, fulfilling “the law of the Christ,” which includes showing love to one another, especially to Jesus’ anointed brothers. (Galatians 6:2; Matthew 25:34-40) Those who walk in Jehovah’s way love his principles and commands. (Psalm 119:97; Proverbs 4:5, 6) They treasure their precious privilege of participating in the Christian ministry. (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:5) Prayer is a regular part of their life. (Romans 12:12) And they ‘keep strict watch that how they walk is not as unwise but as wise persons.’ (Ephesians 5:15) They certainly do not sacrifice spiritual riches for temporary material advantages or illicit fleshly pleasures. (Matthew 6:19, 20; 1 John 2:15-17) Moreover, loyalty to Jehovah and trust in him are vital. (2 Corinthians 1:9; 10:5; Ephesians 4:24) Why? Because our situation is quite similar to that of ancient Israel.

The Need for Trust and Loyalty

3. Why will loyalty, faith, and trust help to keep us walking in Jehovah’s way?

³ Israel was a small nation surrounded by unfriendly neighbors who engaged in licentious ceremonies in the worship of idol gods. (1 Chronicles 16:26) Only Israel served the one true and invisible God, Jehovah, and he required that they maintain high moral standards. (Deuteronomy 6:4) Similarly today, only a few million humans worship Jehovah, and they live in a world of almost six billion people whose standards and religious outlook are very different from theirs. If we are among those few million, we must be on guard against being influenced in a wrong way. How? Loyalty to Jehovah God, faith in him, and a firm trust that he will fulfill his promises will help. (Hebrews 11:6) This will keep us from putting our trust in the things the world hopes in.​—Proverbs 20:22; 1 Timothy 6:17.

4. Why are the nations “in darkness mentally”?

⁴ The apostle Paul showed how different Christians must be from the world when he wrote: “This, therefore, I say and bear witness to in the Lord, that you no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts.” (Ephesians 4:17, 18) Jesus is “the true light.” (John 1:9) Any who reject him or who claim to believe in him but do not obey “the law of the Christ” are “in darkness mentally.” Far from walking in Jehovah’s way, they are “alienated from the life that belongs to God.” However wise they may think they are in a worldly way, they have ‘ignorance in them’ as to the only knowledge that leads to life, that of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ.​—John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 3:19.

5. Although the light of truth is shining in the world, why are many hearts unresponsive?

⁵ Yet, the light of truth is shining in the world! (Psalm 43:3; Philippians 2:15) “True wisdom itself keeps crying aloud in the very street.” (Proverbs 1:20) Last year Jehovah’s Witnesses spent more than a billion hours telling their neighbors about Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. Hundreds of thousands responded. Should we, though, be surprised that many others failed to respond? No. Paul spoke of “the insensibility of their hearts.” Some have unresponsive hearts because of selfishness or love of money. Others are influenced by false religion or the secular outlook that is so widespread today. Hard life experiences have led many to turn their backs on God. Others refuse to meet Jehovah’s high moral standards. (John 3:20) Could the heart of one walking in Jehovah’s way become insensitive in such respects?

6, 7. Though they were worshipers of Jehovah God, on what occasions did the Israelites fall away, and why?

⁶ This did happen to ancient Israel, as Paul showed. He wrote: “These things became our examples, for us not to be persons desiring injurious things, even as they desired them. Neither become idolaters, as some of them did; just as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up to have a good time.’ Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand of them in one day.”​—1 Corinthians 10:6-8.

⁷ Paul refers first to the occasion when Israel worshiped a golden calf at the foot of Mount Sinai. (Exodus 32:5, 6) This was in direct disobedience to a divine command they had agreed to obey just a few weeks earlier. (Exodus 20:4-6; 24:3) Then, Paul refers to the time when Israel bowed down to Baal with the daughters of Moab. (Numbers 25:1-9) Calf worship was characterized by gross self-indulgence, ‘having a good time.’a Baal worship was accompanied by flagrant sexual immorality. (Revelation 2:14) Why did the Israelites commit these sins? Because they allowed their hearts to become ‘desirous of injurious things’​—whether the idolatry or the licentious practices that accompanied it.

8. What can we learn from Israel’s experiences?

⁸ Paul indicated that we should learn from these events. Learn what? It is unthinkable that a Christian would bow down to a golden calf or an ancient Moabite god. But what about immorality or unrestrained self-indulgence? These are common today, and if we allow a desire for them to grow in our hearts, they will come between us and Jehovah. The result will be the same as if we had committed idolatry​—alienation from God. (Compare Colossians 3:5; Philippians 3:19.) Indeed, Paul concludes his discussion of those events by exhorting fellow believers: “Flee from idolatry.”​—1 Corinthians 10:14.

Help in Walking in God’s Way

9. (a) What help do we receive to keep us walking in Jehovah’s way? (b) What is one way that we hear the ‘word behind us’?

⁹ If we are determined to keep walking in Jehovah’s way, we are not left without help. Isaiah prophesied: “Your own ears will hear a word behind you saying: ‘This is the way. Walk in it, you people,’ in case you people should go to the right or in case you should go to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21) How do ‘our own ears’ hear that ‘word behind us’? Well, no one today hears a literal voice or receives a personal message from God. The “word” that is heard comes to all of us in the same way. First and foremost, it comes through the inspired Scriptures, the Bible, which contains the thoughts of God and a record of his dealings with humans. Since we are daily exposed to propaganda from sources “alienated from the life that belongs to God,” for good spiritual health, we need to read the Bible and meditate on it regularly. This will help us to avoid “vain things” and to be “fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” (Acts 14:14, 15; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) It will strengthen us, fortify us, and help us ‘to make our way successful.’ (Joshua 1:7, 8) Hence, Jehovah’s Word urges: “Now, O sons, listen to me; yes, happy are the ones that keep my very ways. Listen to discipline and become wise, and do not show any neglect.”​—Proverbs 8:32, 33.

10. What is a second way that we hear the ‘word behind us’?

¹⁰ The ‘word behind us’ also comes by means of “the faithful and discreet slave,” who supplies “food at the proper time.” (Matthew 24:45-47) One way this food is supplied is in printed Bible-based publications, and in recent years this food supply has been abundant. For example, through the Watchtower magazine, our understanding of prophecy has been refined. In this journal, we have been encouraged to persevere in the work of preaching and disciple making despite growing apathy, we have been helped to avoid pitfalls, and we have been urged to develop fine Christian qualities. How we treasure such food at the proper time!

11. Explain a third way that we can hear the ‘word behind us.’

¹¹ The faithful and discreet slave also supplies food through our regular meetings. These include local congregation meetings, semiannual meetings at a circuit level, and larger annual conventions. What faithful Christian does not value such gatherings? They are a vital help to support us in walking in Jehovah’s way. Since many have to spend a lot of time at work or in school in company with those who do not share their faith, regular Christian association is literally lifesaving. Meetings give us a fine opportunity ‘to incite one another to love and fine works.’ (Hebrews 10:24) We love our brothers, and we love associating with them.​—Psalm 133:1.

12. What determination do Jehovah’s Witnesses have, and how did they recently express it?

¹² Strengthened by such spiritual food, almost six million people today are walking in Jehovah’s way, and millions of others are studying the Bible to learn how to do so. Are they discouraged or weakened by the fact that they are few in number compared with the billions of the earth’s population? In no way! They are determined to keep on heeding the ‘word behind them,’ loyally doing Jehovah’s will. As a public manifestation of this determination, during the 1998/99 “God’s Way of Life” District and International Conventions, the delegates adopted a resolution expressing their heartfelt stand. Following is the text of that resolution.

Resolution

13, 14. What realistic view of the world situation do Jehovah’s Witnesses have?

¹³ “We, as Jehovah’s Witnesses assembled at the ‘God’s Way of Life’ Convention, wholeheartedly agree that God’s way is the best way of life. We recognize, however, that the majority of mankind today feel differently. Human society has experimented with numerous concepts, philosophies, and religious ideas on what constitutes the best way of life. An honest look at human history and world conditions today bears out the truthfulness of the divine pronouncement recorded at Jeremiah 10:23: ‘It does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.’

¹⁴ “Every day we see more evidence confirming the truthfulness of those words. For the most part, human society disregards God’s way of life. People pursue what seems right in their own eyes. The results have been tragic​—the breakdown of family life, leaving children without guidance; the wholesale pursuit of materialism, ending in emptiness and frustration; the senseless crime and violence, claiming countless victims; the ethnic strife and wars, taking a ghastly toll in human lives; the rampant immorality, fueling an epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases. These are but a few of the multitude of complex problems that interfere with the pursuit of happiness, peace, and security.

15, 16. Regarding God’s way of life, what determination was expressed in the resolution?

¹⁵ “In view of humankind’s sad plight and the nearness of the ‘war of the great day of God Almighty,’ called Armageddon (Revelation 16:14, 16), we as Jehovah’s Witnesses resolve that:

¹⁶ “First: We view ourselves as belonging to Jehovah God, having individually dedicated ourselves to him unconditionally, and we shall maintain unshakable faith in Jehovah’s provision of the ransom through his Son, Jesus Christ. We are determined to walk in God’s way of life, serving as his Witnesses and submitting to his sovereignty as expressed through the rulership of Jesus Christ.

17, 18. What position will Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to maintain as regards moral standards and the Christian brotherhood?

¹⁷ “Second: We will continue to adhere to the high moral and spiritual standards of the Bible. We are determined to refrain from walking as the nations walk in the unprofitableness of their minds. (Ephesians 4:17-19) It is our resolve to remain clean before Jehovah and without spot from this world.​—James 1:27.

¹⁸ “Third: We will hold fast to our Scriptural position as a worldwide Christian brotherhood. We will maintain Christian neutrality among the nations, not allowing ourselves to be caught up in racial, national, or ethnic hatred or divisiveness.

19, 20. (a) What will Christian parents do? (b) How will all true Christians continue to identify themselves as Christ’s disciples?

¹⁹ “Fourth: We who are parents will inculcate God’s way in our children. We will set an example in Christian living, which includes regular Bible reading, family study, and a whole-souled share in the Christian congregation and in the field ministry.

²⁰ “Fifth: All of us will strive to cultivate the godly qualities that our Creator exemplifies, and we will endeavor to imitate his personality and his ways, as Jesus did. (Ephesians 5:1) We are resolved to let all our affairs take place with love, thereby identifying ourselves as Christ’s disciples.​—John 13:35.

21-23. What will Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to do, and of what are they convinced?

²¹ “Sixth: Without letup we will continue preaching the good news of God’s Kingdom, making disciples, and we will instruct them in God’s way of life and encourage them to receive further training at congregation meetings.​—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Hebrews 10:24, 25.

²² “Seventh: As individuals and as a religious organization, we will continue to put God’s will first in our lives. Using his Word, the Bible, as our guide, we will not deviate to the right or to the left, thus confirming that God’s way is far superior to the ways of the world. We are determined to pursue God’s way of life​—firmly and loyally, now and forever!

²³ “We make this resolution because we put full confidence in Jehovah’s loving promise that he who does the will of God remains forever. We make this resolution because we are convinced that living by Scriptural principles, counsel, and admonition makes for the best way of life today and lays a fine foundation for the future, so that we may get a firm hold on the real life. (1 Timothy 6:19; 2 Timothy 4:7b, 8) Above all, we make this resolution because we love Jehovah God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength!

24, 25. What was the response to the proposed resolution, and what is the determination of those who walk in Jehovah’s way?

²⁴ “All in attendance at this convention who favor the adoption of this resolution, please say AYE!”

²⁵ Hundreds of arenas and stadiums around the world reverberated as all in attendance answered with a thunderous “AYE!” Jehovah’s Witnesses have no doubt that they will continue to walk in Jehovah’s way. They have full trust in Jehovah and faith that he will fulfill his promises. They remain loyal to him, no matter what occurs. And they are determined to do his will.

“God Is for Us”

26. What is the happy situation of those who walk in Jehovah’s way?

²⁶ Jehovah’s Witnesses remember the psalmist’s exhortation: “Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth.” (Psalm 37:34) They do not forget Paul’s encouraging words: “If God is for us, who will be against us? He who did not even spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all, why will he not also with him kindly give us all other things?” (Romans 8:31, 32) Yes, if we keep walking in Jehovah’s way, he will furnish us “all things richly for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17) What better place can there be than where we are​—walking in Jehovah’s way, alongside our dear brothers and sisters. With Jehovah at our side, let us be determined to stay there and to endure to the end, fully confident that in his due time, we will see him fulfill every last one of his promises.​—Titus 1:2.