Monday, September 8
Many of [Jesus’] disciples . . . would no longer walk with him.—John 6:66.
In modern times, some have ceased associating with the local congregation, feeling that they will serve God on their own. They may say that it is because their feelings were hurt, they think a wrong is not being corrected, or they cannot accept some teaching. How reasonable is their course? While it is true that each Christian should have a personal relationship with God, we cannot deny that he is using a worldwide congregation, as he did in the apostles’ day. Furthermore, Jehovah used and blessed local congregations in the first century, arranging for qualified elders and ministerial servants to benefit the congregations. That is also true today. If a Christian feels that he can rely just on his own relationship with God, he is turning away from a God-ordained arrangement—that of both the worldwide congregation and the local congregations of God’s people. w07 4/15 2:14-16 |