During my holidays, I have been reading a new book called “The unfolding mystery of the divine name” by Michael P Knowles which I found in the markdown section of our local Christian bookshop. ( I always find my best books in the markdown section!) While starting off a bit slow, it has shown me some great perspectives on our God and Jesus. One perspective I wanted to share is in Chapter 4 as it struck me how I had wished I had known this before I joined the JW’s. The perspective is related to understanding the importance of some of God’s attributes and their order of importance as related to how we should behave as Christians.
It starts with an early Jewish tradition quoted from a Rabbi called “Simeon the Just” (200 or 300 BCE) who says “”The world rests on three things, Torah, Avodah and deeds of Gemilut Hesed: (e.g.) The Study of Torah, Worship, and Deeds of Loving kindness” (Mercy)””
After a few pages of discussion on which of these three (Torah, Worship, and Mercy) are the most important, on page 125 it becomes clear and says that;
“Deeds of loving-kindness” takes precedence over Worship (& sacrifice) so also, says Jesus, it takes precedence over Torah (strict obedience to the Mosaic command)”
This is echoed by Jesus in Matthew 12v7 where he says “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
Apart for the obvious point that as Christians “Deeds of Loving kindness” (Mercy) should be the most important thing for us to strive for, it struck me how the Watchtower ( and some other Christian organizations) have this order completely reversed e.g strict obedience or worship/sacrifice takes precedence over “Deeds of Loving Kindness” & mercy.
Seems to be a good rule to use when scoping out any new religious group that one may consider associating with, for example if the groups ethic is strict obedience or worship/sacrifice that takes precedence over “Deeds of Loving Kindness” then you know this may not be the group for you!!!
In my own case, when I was just joining the JW’s at 15, I was concerned about the disfellowshipping practice. To me, it did not seem to be a merciful practice and appeared more to do with the “law” and obedience. At this point, I should have realized that Jesus would not condone the JW’s disfellowshipping practice and therefore the Watchtower ethic was not for me…
Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing!!!!