him as a soldier. Do your utmost to present yourself approved to God, a workman with nothing to be ashamed of.” And again, God’s Word instructs us to “repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and to live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things, . . . a people peculiarly his own, zealous for good works”.—2 Tim. 2:4, 15; Titus 2:11-14, NW.

25. What incentives to zealous work do the Scriptures give us?

²⁵ Ah yes, “we are God’s fellow workers,” “working together with him,” a people belonging to Jehovah and devoted to his service! “Consequently, my beloved brothers, become steadfast, unmovable, always having plenty to do in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.” (1 Cor. 3:9; 15:58; 2 Cor. 6:1, NW) No question about it, as Jehovah’s faithful witnesses you certainly have plenty to do. Therefore, “whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance.” (Col. 3:23, 24, NW) Yes, Jehovah renders “to each one according to his works”, for “God is not unrighteous so as to forget your work and the love you showed for his name, in that you have ministered to the holy ones and continue ministering”. For this reason, because of Jehovah’s righteousness and faithfulness, the apostle urges you “to show the same industriousness so as to have the full assurance of the hope down to the end, in order that you may not become sluggish, but be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises”.—Ps. 62:12; Jer. 17:10, AS; Rom. 2:6; Heb. 6:10-12, NW.

26. Why is this no time for holding back? and what may we not do if we would gain eternal life in a paradise of perfection?

²⁶ If you are seeking to escape the serfdom of Satan’s system of things, if you are tired of the thorns and thistles of sin and corruption, if you want to walk on a smooth highway leading to God’s kingdom, if you crave to live forever in a paradise of perfection, then avoid the ways of the slothful, lazy sluggards. “Slothful men will end as serfs,” “the lazy man finds life beset with thorns,” “the sluggard craves, but gets nothing.” (Prov. 13:4, AT; Pr 12:24; 15:19, Mo) This is no time to dillydally or hold back. The King is upon his heavenly throne. Jehovah’s “strange work” is rapidly reaching its successful conclusion. The triumphal day of final victory for Jehovah’s glorious kingdom is at hand. Awake! “Do not loiter at your business. Be aglow with the spirit. Be slaves to Jehovah.”—Rom. 12:11, NW.

Questions From Readers

● In the answer on page 95 of the February 1 Watchtower it seems to some to imply that sex relations without having children is wrong. Is that the impression this answer means to give?—H. M., New Jersey.

No, that is not the point being made, as shown by the setting. The question involved the practice in Scandinavia of engaged couples’ having relations before marriage, and with that in mind the answer stated: “The purpose of sex relations could not be for the purpose of true marriage, namely, to bring forth children, for otherwise we should witness children’s being born to such couples during their