members in good standing shows how pitifully short the clergy come of appreciating the role that religion should play as regards the principles of truth and righteousness.

That is why the apostle Paul warns: “Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, . . . nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, . . . nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.” Those who would be Christians must ‘quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making their mind over, that they may prove to themselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God.’ And among Christians “there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave, freeman, but Christ is all things and in all.” Christians must be guided by principle, not by outside influence or selfish inclinations; God’s will, not their own, nor that of others opposed to God, must determine their conduct. No unloving racial, national or social prejudices may mar their unity.—1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:11.

Religion’s dominating role affects all our relations, as Paul goes on to say: “Whatever it is that you do in word or in work, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, . . . You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord. You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them. You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted. You slaves, be obedient . . . You masters, keep dealing out what is righteous.” And whatever other human relation there may be it is to be governed by the ‘royal rule of loving our neighbor as ourselves,’ and by the “Golden Rule” of ‘doing to others as we would have them do to us.’—Col. 3:17 to 4:1; Matt. 22:39; 7:12.

What will aid us to realize religion’s role in our lives? In particular, faith, hope and love. Faith that God rewards those who serve him. Love for him with all our heart, mind and strength. And hope in his new world of righteousness in which there will be no more death, sorrow nor crying, and when the truth regarding Jehovah will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.—Isa. 11:9; Matt. 22:37; 1 Cor. 13:13; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:4.

So, according to God’s Word, the true religion should play the dominating role in our lives. It should be the motivating force; it should give our lives purpose and direction, making them fuller, richer and truly happy. It should enable us to serve God and our fellow man best. Doing so we can be assured of everlasting life in God’s new world. That the foregoing is not only logical and Scriptural but also practical was notably proved by the example set by the Christian witnesses of Jehovah at their Divine Will International Assembly this past summer at Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds in New York city.

“Flaming Witnesses”

“I have often been amazed at the rapid movement of the writings of the New Testament,” once said American clergyman Elmer G. Homrighausen. “The writers were evidently not interested in writing best sellers. They were not paid by an editor according to the line. They were not interested in literary style. There are few adjectives in the whole Bible. It is filled with nouns and verbs, and as such it is fast-moving, and breath-taking. These men did not write for wealth or fame or popularity. They were flaming witnesses.”