Amazing Grace

"We cannot get salvation just by asking for it".

Comments like that are frequently made at the meetings. The latest one was made by an elder's wife at a bookstudy. To a JW, salvation cannot simply be that easy.

"We must do something else", she followed without explaining what that something else is. In the minds of JW's, this must automatically mean living a perfect life as close as possible. Their salvation is works oriented.

"Jehovah will reward those who work hard enough with eternal life", a non-baptized person who irregularly attends the Kingdom Hall confided in me on one occassion. "If one doesn't work, one does not get paid."

According to God's Word, we cannot earn our salvation

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

Salvation is not dependent on works either.

Romans 4:4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

As a Jehovah's Witness, I did not understand what Grace was all about. I remember at field service when I was a young kid, I was trying to sing "Amazing Grace" since I only knew the first line. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound". An elder overheard me and was visibly indignant, but he didn't say anything to me about it. I didn't find the meaning of Grace, much less made the connection to Salvation until years later. Now, I look at the lyrics of this beautiful song and I can only praise God.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,That saved a wretch like me....I once was lost but now am found,Was blind, but now, I see. -John Newton

The Society teaches no one can be certain of their salvation, but this goes contrary to biblical teaching.

1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Grace and Salvation now hold a wonderful significance. Simple words like that have changed my life forever. These poor souls, under the clutches of the Watchtower, are being deprived of the only hope for Christians.