Can Anyone Be Certain They Have Jehovah’s Approval?
Many Jehovah’s Witnesses sincerely desire to please Jehovah. They faithfully attend meetings, participate in the preaching work, and strive to live moral lives.
Yet many quietly wonder something in their hearts:
Have I really done enough for Jehovah to approve of me?
The Bible encourages every person to examine their standing with God.
“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith.”
—2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)
But this raises two very important questions:
1. If eternal life depends on our obedience and faithful service, how can anyone ever be certain they have done enough to receive Jehovah’s approval?
2. When people asked Jesus what they must do to perform “the works of God,” why didn’t He mention preaching, meeting attendance, or organizational loyalty?
Jesus gave a clear answer to that question.
Understanding His answer can completely change the way we view salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life.
Let’s look at what Jesus actually said.
What Is Required to Have Eternal Life?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that gaining eternal life involves faith, obedience, and loyalty to Jehovah’s organization through adherence to Watchtower policies and faithful participation in the preaching work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But an important question remains:
What does the Bible actually say is required for Jehovah’s people to obtain everlasting life? Does the Bible claim a person must “prove” worthy by obedience to the standards set by an organization?
This question was asked directly to Jesus nearly 2,000 years ago. In John 6:28, people asked Him:
“What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” NASB
In other words: What does God require of us?
Jesus gave a very clear answer.
What Did Jesus Say the “Work of God” Is?
Jesus replied: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” —John 6:29, NASB
Instead of giving a list of religious duties, organizational requirements, or works of obedience, Jesus pointed people to faith in Himself.
He did not say:
- Preach a certain number of hours
- Attend required meetings
- Prove loyalty to an organization
- Earn approval through performance
Jesus said the work God requires is to believe in Him. Why? Because sin is the violation of God’s law (1 John 3:4), and Jesus said in Matthew 5:48 that in order to gain God’s approval, one must “be perfect” even as the Heavenly Father is perfect.
Therefore, it is only in Christ that our sins can be forgiven, because when Jesus died He declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30). He paid the price saying, “It is finished.” This phrase, translated from the Greek word tetelestai, means the debt is “paid in full.”
Questions to Consider
- Why did Jesus say the work God requires is believing in Him?
- If preaching hours and organizational activity were necessary for salvation, why didn’t Jesus mention them?
- Doesn’t this mean eternal life is based on something Christ already accomplished, rather than on what we do in our lives?
Can Our Obedience to a Religion Help Us Merit Eternal Life?
The Bible warns:
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”—Romans 3:23, NASB
“All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”—Isaiah 64:6, NASB
Questions to Consider
- How can eternal life be granted based on our performance in a religious organization when our righteous acts are seen as “filthy rags”?
- If our own best efforts fall short of God’s perfect standards, how can our performance in a religion make us any more acceptable?
- Which standard are you trusting in for your eternal standing with Jehovah? If you are trusting your own best efforts to prove worthy of eternal life, when can you be certain you have done enough to merit it?
If every human effort to earn worthiness falls short of God’s perfect standard and is seen as “filthy rags” in God’s eyes, how can Scripture assure followers of Jesus that they possess the assurance of eternal life now? He says:
“And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.”—1 John 5:13, NASB
Notice that John did not say we hope or wonder if we have eternal life. He said believers can “know” that they have eternal life now.
Questions to Consider
- If the Bible says believers can “know” they have eternal life by placing faith in the Son of God, why are so many people taught they have to keep performing religious duties to “hope” they attain it?
Is Eternal Life a Gift or a Reward?
The Bible clearly describes eternal life as a gift from God, not of works, so that no one can boast. Scripture explains that if salvation were granted based on our efforts, it would no longer be a “gift,” but a wage that is earned. This is why righteousness must be granted based on faith in Christ alone and not on religious performance.
“The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”—Romans 6:23, NASB
“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” —Ephesians 2:8–9, NASB
“Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.”—Romans 4:4-5, NASB
“But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.”
—Romans 11:6, NASB
“…and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.” —Philippians 3:9, NASB
Questions to Consider
- If eternal life is a gift, how can any part of it be earned through religious performance?
- How can a gift still be called a “gift” if it must be worked for or merited by performance in an organization?
Why Did Jesus Come?
The Bible teaches that Jesus came to do what we could never do ourselves. He lived the perfect life in our place and died, taking our sins upon His body, paying the full price of our sin so that we can be forgiven of our sins and granted eternal life.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8, NASB
“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree.”—1 Peter 2:24, NASB
Jesus paid the full penalty for sin through His death on the cross.
Questions to Consider
- If Christ fully paid the penalty for sin, what payment remains for us to make?
- What sin could we commit that He did not already pay for that would cause us to lose eternal life?
How Are We Declared Righteous?
The Bible explains that believers receive Christ’s righteousness as a gift.
“God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”—2 Corinthians 5:21, NASB
“By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” —Hebrews 10:14, NASB
Questions to Consider
- If Christ’s sacrifice has perfected believers forever, what additional work is needed to complete salvation?
- How can imperfect human efforts add to Christ’s perfect sacrifice if our sins have been fully paid for already?
What Must a Person Do to Be Saved?
When a jailer asked the apostle Paul this question, the answer was simple:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”—Acts 16:31, NASB
Salvation comes through placing our trust in Jesus Christ alone.
That means:
- Turning from trusting in our own works
- Believing that Jesus died for our sins
- Trusting Him alone to forgive and save us
A Personal Invitation
Jesus invites you to come to Him personally.
If you would like to receive this gift of eternal life that Jesus offers, why not pray this sample salvation prayer below? You may want to personalize it with your own words. Remember, there is no power in the specific words you are praying. God is looking at the sincerity of your heart:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you realizing that I am a sinner. I have broken your laws and am not worthy to be in Your holy presence. I recognize that the penalty of my sin is eternal separation from you and that nothing I do can make up for the wrongs I’ve committed. I accept the price you paid for my sin when you died for me so long ago. I ask you right now, dear Lord Jesus, to come into my heart, forgive me for all of my sins, and to be my Lord and Savior. I give you control of my life and receive your Holy Spirit as a token of my adoption into Your family. Thank you for shedding your precious blood for me and for claiming me for eternity. I love you, Lord! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Your relationship with God does not depend on religious performance or organizational loyalty.
It depends on what Jesus Christ has already accomplished for you.
When you place your trust in Christ alone:
- Your sins are forgiven
- You are declared righteous before God
- You receive the gift of eternal life
The Bible promises:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” —Romans 10:13, NASB
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