So, since you are a member of a sect that is considered apostate by mainstream Christianity, and you have stated that you consider mainstream Christianity itself to be apostate: Can you consider St. SteVen a brother in Christ? How about Jack? Quietthinker? If not, what would have to change before you would consider them brothers?
From my studies, as one who was raised in Christendom, most who claim to be “wheat” in the confused rabble that is Christendom, are actually “weeds”....now clearly discernible from their conduct or ”fruits” as Jesus said.....
Matt 7:15-20....
“Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves. You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (NLT)
And John’s words at John 13:34-35 have a large bearing on the identity of the “wheat” as opposed to the “weeds”.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV)
Or as the NLT puts it...
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
So actions speak louder than words, and it’s the conduct (fruitage) of those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ that indict them.......as well as the response of these people to the “wheat” in the days to come.... Jesus said will be the same as it was in the first century (John 15:18-21).....but most cannot see the correlation...too lost in their own justification and theology.
One area in particular betrays them.....and that is their part in the world’s political affairs...something Jesus and his disciples clearly avoided. He told us to be “NO PART OF THE WORLD” (John 18:36)....why? Because of who is really it’s ruler. (1 John 5:19) If the “whole world” is under the devil’s control, then who is exempt?
The political situation of the Jews under Roman rule in Jesus’ day was for many, untenable. These revolutionary Jews were planning a revolt and wanted as many as possible to join them. Their defeat at Masada was devastating.
Jesus steered clear of any such action, no matter how difficult the subjugation was, and how powerless they felt under Roman rule.....Jesus pointed forward to a clear solution to all man’s woes.....not any man’s Kingdom, but God’s Kingdom. Christendom has its members fighting for their own kingdoms....and even against their own brothers in the faith.....a complete betrayal of all that Jesus taught. (Matt 5:43-44; 1 John 2:20-21)
So any person who claims to be a Christian, but who is involved in any way, even tacitly with the politics and bloodshed of the nations, is telling God that they are not disciples of Christ. Nowhere did Jesus tell us we had to be involved in the conflicts of the nations. We are not to save the world physically by using heinous weapons of mass destruction, but spiritually by the wearing of armor and the wielding of the “sword of the spirit”...God’s word which has the power to transform our thinking and make us slaves of Christ rather than slaves of our nation.
Eph 6:11-17....
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (NLT)
So our weapons are defensive...not offensive.
There are many areas of disagreement, some which we are not allowed to discuss here, but that one area alone, shows us who has faith in God’s kingdom, and who stands in support of their own nation which is part of satan’s world rulership, handed over to him to prove his claim to be the better ruler of humankind. (Luke 4:5-7; 1 John 5:19)
Another very clear identifier is 1Cor 1:10, which states.....
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” (NLT)
Does that describe any of the churches of Christendom? Or does it even cover the ones who seem to think that they alone have the truth and everyone must listen to them because God told them so.....?
I am a member of one brotherhood that stands alone in the world as separate from all that Jesus told us to leave alone. We all believe one truth and our brotherhood is united globally, no matter what language we speak, we have no divisions or any beliefs in common with the counterfeit faith introduced by the devil “while men were sleeping” (spiritually) What grew into a complete shemozzle, is now what masquerades as Christianity....disunited and bickering with one another....and who can be seriously divided even in their politics.
If that remotely describes Christianity to you, then you are welcome to it. My brothers are no more perfect than the apostles were, but we show by our conduct that we are separate from the world....and loving towards our brothers in all nations, never divided by politics.
Our HQ gets requests for workers from among JW’s all the time, because people know that we are honest and diligent workers in a world where dishonesty and lack of work ethic are rampant. It’s not an employment agency but it shows that people can see the difference.....that the jails are not full of our brothers except where we will refuse military service or to reject any directive to stop our preaching assignment that is from a higher authority. (Matt 28:19-29; Matt 24:14)
I personally found out what kind of people Jehovah’s Witnesses are, not being influenced by those who oppose us in the same way as those of the Jewish faith opposed the disciples of Jesus...purportedly worshippers of the same God. By our
conduct we prove ourselves to be Christians, not just by
empty words.
I hope that answers your question.....we view all people as potential brothers and sisters, going out to the ‘lost sheep’ hoping that the truth will ring true for them, (Romans 10:14-15).....and we will continue to bring Christ’s message of salvation until they prove otherwise to God by their words and actions. We are not their judge...we are just his messengers.
