What Kind of QUALITY Do You REFLECT?

What comes to mind when you hear the words “high quality”? Perhaps you think of beautifully finished maple cabinetry. Or maybe a hand-carved wooden figurine. What about a fine, one-of-a-kind oil painting? You may even consider a particular family heirloom, such as a stunning diamond ring, to be of exceptional craftsmanship.

On the other hand, what comes to mind when you hear “low quality”? Perhaps a low-grade plastic wristwatch comes to mind. Or a cheap plastic ring. Maybe you think of a particular vehicle that is always in need of repair.

What about yourself? That’s right—yourself! Have you considered that your conduct, words and appearance reflect a certain quality—good or bad—to those around you? Based on these overall factors, others will and do form opinions of you—and of God! And, chances are, you are not even the slightest bit aware.

What kind of quality do you reflect? Do you seek to exemplify the God of high quality whom you serve?

God’s Representatives

In Matthew 5:13-14, Jesus Christ said that His followers are the salt and light of the world. In other words, those in His Church are to set a glowing, positive example of living God’s Way. They are to naturally radiate the joy and peace that should be within them.

By default, youth being brought up in God’s truth should reflect this as well. After all, you are holy to God (I Cor. 7:14). Unlike those your age outside the Church, you have the opportunity to be baptized and thus become a begotten son of God, en route to being born into the God Family and receiving eternal life. This should result in noticeable excitement. Others are not aware of this incredible potential and the better world tomorrow. But you are.

Think of yourself as an ambassador, a representative of a foreign country and unfamiliar way of life. The difference is that you do not represent a worldly government and way of life; you represent the all-powerful living God and His kingdom, which right now is in heaven. Of course, God’s government in embryo (the Church) is present on this earth, led by His ministers—His representatives.

Like ambassadors of this world, you must exhibit exceptional commitment to a way of life that sometimes involves hardships. You must stand firm and carry yourself with dignity and honor, so others can look up to you. While the water is not always smooth sailing for ambassadors, they are offered unique rewards and opportunities not available to the common citizen. The same is true for you as an ambassador of God.

Consider the repercussions of a United States ambassador committing a crime, or even just carrying himself in an undignified manner. Such actions can and will reflect badly upon the country he represents. Judging by his conduct, people may assume that everyone from the U.S. acts in a similar fashion. One “bad apple” can ruin the image of an entire nation!

Everything about you should reflect well upon God: how you walk; how you talk; how you dress; how you eat; how you perform duties at a job; even how you think! Although many in the world do not consider how they conduct themselves, God’s youth must be different. You are held to much higher standards by the God who has laid an awesome future in front of you. (Carrying the title AMBASSADOR YOUTH, one of the goals of this magazine is to teach you how to conduct yourself as an ambassador.)

Think about the life of Jesus Christ, the standards He upheld on a daily basis. His fellow countrymen were constantly seeking to catch Him in His words so they would have something to accuse Him of—yet He never tripped up. He always held Himself to the highest standard. After all, He came to earth to do the works the Father had given Him to complete. Jesus was constantly in the spotlight, and He knew that He represented the God of the entire universe. Christ’s actions and how He carried Himself would have reflected either positively or negatively upon His Father.

The same can be said of you. As an ambassador of God, you too shed a certain light upon God’s Way. How well are you representing Him? Have you thought of your actions as having a direct bearing on how others view God?

Notice the following verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Conversely, if you do not shine before men, then God will not be glorified! Do not assume that this verse applies only to your parents; it does not. Remember, you have been offered the opportunity to fulfill an incredible purpose.

Realize that we serve a God who tells us to seek to be perfect, as He is (Matt. 5:48). Of course, we will never achieve perfection in this life; but with that as our goal, there will always be room for improvement—always room to grow. Small areas of your life that need improvement, or minute details not easily noticed, will never disappear. Train yourself to look for and correct the small points.

Stunning Quality

Once God’s Master Plan for mankind is completed, after the Millennium and Great White Throne Judgment, the earth will be the headquarters of the kingdom of God, with New Jerusalem being the capital. This is where the Father and Christ, who are first- and second-in-command in the government of God, will make their abode. They will be surrounded by absolutely stunning beauty—premium quality!

Notice a description of the striking environment of the future New Jerusalem: “And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Rev. 21:10, 17-22).

What a description!

By no means is the account above a description of low-rate surroundings. Try to picture building foundations made of dazzling precious and semi-precious stones, and parts of a city made of pure gold. On top of that, imagine city gates constructed of pearls. From time to time, meditate upon the immaculate quality that New Jerusalem will reflect.

In everything done at God’s physical Headquarters today, we strive to reflect well upon the God of high quality we serve—from how we conduct ourselves, to how we present our publications, to the look and feel of the office space. Those who visit Headquarters often comment on the beauty and high standards of the office, and that it is warm and inviting. Consider. God and Christ will sit on thrones in the midst of fine gold and precious stones in New Jerusalem—no doubt a welcoming environment, to say the least. It is our goal to reflect such quality as much as possible—again, in everything we do, right down to the smallest detail.

You should make it your objective as well. Others will notice your ambition and attention to details, and may even desire to do the same. As an ambassador of God, you are an example to others, regardless if you are aware of it. Do not take it lightly, but rather delight in it.

Take advantage of the opportunity you have—and bring glory to God!