a mate not dedicated to the service of Jehovah. The yoke of such a bond would become heavy and unbearable because of not having Jehovah’s blessing upon it. (2 Cor. 6:14) If some go directly contrary to Jehovah’s command and counsel in this regard, does it not show a reliance on one’s own judgment and self-will, and a tendency to be rebellious? It would show gross immaturity on the part of the one so doing, and the one taking such a course would not qualify to represent Jehovah’s pure organization in the capacity of an overseer in the congregation.

Desirable Tendencies—Christian Servitude

“Be obedient . . . doing the will of God whole-souled.”—Eph. 6:5, 6.

1. How is complete servitude shown by the example set by Jesus?

WHEN we are reviewing the tragic results of man’s own self-determination in life, another pattern should be selected that has lasting benefits. Instead of acting upon one’s own impulses, why not consider the unselfish suggestion recommended in Jesus’ words relative to the two great commandments? He said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’” These words, rather than giving freedom of choice, extremely limit the course of action that could be pleasing to Jehovah. This commandment removes self-choice entirely. In fact, these words crowd out of one’s life any desire other than that of complete obedience and servitude to Jehovah.—Matt. 22:37, 38.

2, 3. (a) What does dedication mean? (b) From what slavery has a Christian been liberated? (c) What slavery is desirable?

² This was the blueprint of life for Jesus and his followers. By choice, when a Christian dedicates his life to Jehovah God, he vows that he will follow the footsteps established by the Master Servant; in fact, it means the individual will be a slave to his Master. But, then, upon analyzing the matter we will find that an individual will be the servant or slave of one master or another, as Paul tells us at Romans 6:16: “Do you not know that if you keep presenting yourselves to anyone as slaves to obey him, you are slaves of him because you obey him, either of sin with death in view or of obedience with righteousness in view?” Then Paul exclaims: “But thanks to God that you were slaves of sin but you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were handed over. Yes, since you were set free from sin, you became slaves to righteousness. . . . so now present your members as slaves to righteousness with holiness in view.” (Ro 6 Vss. 17-19) These words leave no alternative to the true Christian but to mold his life as a slave to his Master’s wishes. Of course, such a righteous course shows Jehovah is the Master to whom one