We must obey God as ruler rather than men.—Acts 5:29.
Today, our obeying Jehovah may involve enduring persecution in order to maintain our integrity. Also, our obeying Jehovah’s command to preach and to teach requires that we endure until the end of this system of things. (Matt. 24:13, 14; 28:19, 20) We need endurance to continue gathering together with our brothers, even though we may feel the weight of pressures from the world. Our loving God is fully aware of our efforts to be obedient in such areas. To be fully obedient, however, we have to fight our sinful flesh and turn away from bad while building appreciation for what is good. (Rom. 12:9) When we serve Jehovah out of love and with an appreciative heart, “he becomes [toward us] the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.” (Heb. 11:6) Proper sacrifices are necessary and desirable, but it is complete obedience out of love for Jehovah that pleases him to the fullest extent.—Prov. 3:1, 2. w07 6/15 2:18, 19
