Study of the Book of the congregation, Week of May 8 to 14, 2023, What does it mean to be neutral?, Lesson: 45 points 1-3, Answers.

Study of the Book of the congregation, 8-14-May-2023, Lesson: 45 points 1-3, Answers.

Congregation Bible study (30 min.): lff lesson 45 points 1-3.

1. How do true Christians view human governments?

We see it with respect because, as Romans 13:1 teaches us, we recognize that if human governments govern it is because Jehovah allows them, even if it is with a relative authority. So in obedience to Mark 12:17, we pay Caesar what is of Caesar by obeying the laws of the land and paying taxes. But we give God what belongs to God, when we absolutely obey Jehovah because only he and his kingdom will solve humanity's problems forever. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jesus Christ clearly taught that since all government is placed by Jehovah and then we have to give what corresponds to it, then within them we submit to the authorities because they are superior authorities placed justly by God, God allows them to still govern.

We know that Jehovah allows human governments to exist, so we follow the laws of each country, for example, we pay taxes and obey the laws in transit.

Let us also remember that these authorities were placed by Jehovah, but their authority is relative.

Romans 13:1. Jehovah shows us that we must obey these authorities because Jehovah has granted them that authority to help us, for example in transit to be able to travel to other places and other things, but we are sure that our obedience is not absolute towards them but it is limited until it is not against by the principles of Jehovah. 

2. How do we show that we are neutral?

We show it by not getting involved in politics or participating in wars. As well as by not honoring the national symbols of any country, neither being in favor of nor against any political party, among others. Like Jesus, we too are not part of this world. Hence our loyalty and worship are exclusive to Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, we do not get involved in politics, we follow the principles of Jesus, we are not part of this world, although we often respect national symbols such as the flag, but we do not honor it.

Micah 4:3. We do not support any war and although we respect the national symbols, we do not pay any kind of honor because we know that this would involve idolatry.

It may be at election time when a new president or new authorities are going to be elected.

We are also tested from house to house many times they want to know which side we are on when we preach who we are supporting or if we criticize something, and in family gatherings there are sometimes debates where one can have a side and is known to hate something so we also have to be careful that we are not biased.

And also in our interior, perhaps just watching the news can also be put to the test.

We could ask the student the question here to get him thinking about how Jehovah would view a person doing military service, and then let him find the answer in this very verse.

LET'S DEEPER INTO THE SUBJECT

Let's look at some situations that could test our neutrality and see how you can make decisions that make Jehovah happy.

3. True Christians are neutral.

Jesus and his disciples gave us the example. Read Romans 13:1, 5-7 and 1 Peter 2:13, 14. Then watch the VIDEO and discuss the following:

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Two political parties that are making their propaganda, perhaps a brother or that person in the middle is wondering which side he has to go maybe. 

A man staying neutral. He pays no attention to rival political candidates addressing the crowd.

VIDEO: True Christians are neutral (part 1) (4:28)

Why should we respect authorities?

Because as we have seen in the Bible they are in a certain way placed by God in the sense that God allows them to exist. 

We must respect them because when we respect them we respect Jehovah, since it is he who commands us to submit to these authorities. Romans 13:1, It is not explained that there is no authority that does not come from God and that they do exist, it is because they have been placed by him in their relative positions. To this, verse 5 adds that it is necessary for us to submit not because of the punishment, but also because of our consciences. 

We must respect the authorities because Jehovah gave them the authority to rule. We can see here that we must respect the authorities, Jehovah wants us to submit to the authorities. 

What are some ways to show that we submit to them?

The text of the Romans then is if they ask us for taxes, honor or even some certain service, for example, governments sometimes ask that there be community laws also for traffic and that is something that we must obey. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

According to Romans 13:6,7. Some ways are: paying taxes, because it is compensation for your public service to God. We also demonstrate it by giving them honor and respect, because that is the will of Jehovah. In the same way, we do it out of dignity in his charge as indicated in 1 Peter 2:13,14. If we do not do it this way, we would cause reproach to the name of God. Of course, these demonstrations are made within reasonable limits so as not to violate our Christian neutrality.

In times of war, some countries say they are neutral, but support both sides in some way. Is that really neutrality? Read John 17:16. Then watch the VIDEO and talk about the following:

Is that really neutrality?

Yes, well, the idea is not to support them in any way, as we saw the brother in the video, there was one side on one side and another side on the other, but he was neutral, we did not support, as Jesus said, we are not part of the world. 

Read John 17:16. Then watch the VIDEO and talk about the following:

VIDEO: True Christians are neutral (part 2) (3:11)

What does it mean to be neutral?

To be neutral, as John 17:16 teaches, is to stay separate from the world, because we are not part of the world. This involves separating ourselves from or avoiding bad attitudes, speech, and conduct of this world regarding matters of war and politics, so as not to violate our Christian neutrality.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Well, we already saw it at the beginning that Christians do not support any political ideology or condemn it, we simply do not take sides.

If something that was mentioned very important is also that we are not disrespectful with what has to do with the national symbols, with the flag or with our behavior, we maintain a form of respect and that is also being neutral. 

We are not apathetic, on the contrary, we help the person who is perhaps so apathetic because they have family or health problems, and that is what we try to do to help people. 

We also provide you with practical help as the brothers were shown there, speaking to them about the truth of hope that the Bible gives us. 

Sometimes the authorities demand something that is against God's law. What do we do in those cases? Read Acts 5:28, 29. Then watch the VIDEO and discuss the following:

VIDEO: True Christians are neutral (part 3) (1:18)

If any human law contradicts God's law, which one should we obey?

In this case, Acts 5:28,29 tells us that we have to obey God as ruler rather than men. This would in no way imply a lack of respect for the authorities, but rather a deep respect for Jehovah and his laws. In this situation, if human laws command us to do something that Jehovah condemns or if, on the contrary, they prohibit us from doing something that he commands us to do, that law and that order would not be valid.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As Peter said obey God rather than men. Only God's authority is absolute and not that of governments is inferior to Jehovah's, that's why since we know the truth Jesus himself says that the world would hate us because of this, but we are willing to side with Jehovah. 

We can follow the example of the Apostles from verse 29 of Acts 5, they said we have to obey God as ruler rather than men, then we obey Jehovah.

Can you think of a situation in which Christians would not obey the authorities?

We would not obey him if they could stop us from preaching and teaching from the Bible or if they ordered us to pay homage to the flag, sing the national anthem, go to war, join a political party, participate in government elections, pay military service, participating in marches and demonstrations, attending rallies, honoring public or military figures, among others, as we see in the illustrations.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

If, for example, the authorities forbid us to go preach or go to meetings.

Also if they demand that we do some service to the state that is against the law of God, then we no longer obey. 

And for example, if they order us that it is totally forbidden to preach about God, we will not obey the authorities or meet, well, other opportunities or other ways would be sought to continue obeying Jehovah and not obeying human rulers.

Something that is common and causes the imprisonment of many of our young brothers is compulsory military service.