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Teaching God’s Ways of Peace
By Pauli Jayné, Winsted
In a world filled with so much violence, how will true peace ever be? In a word: "Love."
In this modern world we often hear expressed the opinion that "the principles of Christianity are just not practical—they just will not work in today's complex society." However, in a reported conversation between the past Hindu leader Mohandas Gandhi and the former British Viceroy of India, Lord Irwin, a very different sentiment was expressed. Lord Irwin asked Gandhi what he thought would solve the problems between Great Britain and India. Gandhi picked up a Bible and opened it to the fifth chapter of Matthew and said, "When your country and mine shall get together on the teachings laid down by Christ in this Sermon on the Mount, we shall have solved the problems not only of our countries but those of the whole world."
That sermon speaks of seeking spirituality, being mild tempered, peaceable, merciful, a lover of righteousness. It condemns not only murder, but being wrathful with others. It tells us: "Love even those who dislike you, give to the needy, stop judging others unmercifully, treat others as you would like to be treated." All these advices, if applied, would yield tremendous benefits.
Jehovah's Witnesses are an influence in this direction. The Bible teaches them to respect marriage. Their children are trained in right principles. The importance of the family is stressed. United families are a boon to any community, even any nation. History is filled with examples of world powers crumbling when family ties weakened and immorality increased. The more individuals and families that Jehovah's Witnesses influence to live by Christian principles, the less delinquency and immorality and crime in the world!
Through personal study of the Holy Bible, Jehovah's Witnesses know that only God's Kingdom government can bring true and lasting peace to this earth and that the time is so very near for God's Heavenly Kingdom to take action. "What action?" you may ask. The destruction of those who are willfully ruining the earth. This includes the crushing to complete and utter annihilation of all divisive political elements. All other solutions must be rejected as inadequate counterfeit solutions.
The 17th-century Dutch philosopher Spinoza defined peace as "not an absence of war" but rather something much more all embracing. He said, "It is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice." That can only be achieved by educating people in the attribute of love and harmony, rather than in hatred and division. The Bible writer James (3:18) so simply stated it in this way: "The fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace."
Millions of people look to the UN as the best means for establishing permanent peace on earth. Some may even view it as God's approved way for peace and security. But by every possible political scheme and philosophy—including the UN—Satan, the Devil, the original liar, the god of this world, is diverting mankind's attention away from the only true pathway to peace and security: the rule of God's Kingdom over this earth.
By their worldwide educational work Jehovah's Witnesses are teaching God's ways of peace. They are a nation of people, presently over 6,000,000 strong, who have quietly become universally famous. The fulfillment of Isaiah's recorded words is now a reality. "The little one himself will become a thousand, the small one a mighty nation. I myself, Jehovah shall speed it up in its own time."—Isaiah 60:22
Their hope for the future is not stagnant with mere survival of God's holocaust, but rather the extension of their individual human lives forever as they endlessly live on a literal paradise planet earth. They answer as did ancient Micah, "And they will actually sit, each one under his vie and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble; for the very mouth of Jehovah of armies has spoken it. For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah our God to time indefinite, even forever."—Micah 4:4, 5
That is the hope God's governmental arrangement holds out for mankind. Peace and harmony in all the earth. The races of mankind united in bonds of genuine love. Everyone delighting to do productive work and enjoying the fruits of his labors. The air filled with the music of creation and with the song and laughter of happy humans. A healthy global society of mankind in which no one grows old or gets sick. Loved ones sleeping in death will be restored to human life in a perfect state. The enjoyment of peace with the animals, the fragrance of flowers, the beauty of colorful landscapes and ever-changing seasons. Yes, all this and much, much more is promised for our earth under God's righteous rule.
As the Psalmist (37:11) so beautifully expressed it, "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace." Yes, in a word, "love" will once again reign as King forever!
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