6.29.2004

Get To Know God Better

In order to love God and give him the exclusive devotion that he deserves, we need to know him as he truly is. How can we get to know God better? "His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward," says the Bible, "because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship." (Romans 1:20) One way to get to know God better is by observing and reflecting appreciatively on what he has created.

The creation, however, does not tell us all we need to know about God. For instance, to understand that he is a real spirit person with a unique name, we need to look into the Bible. Studying the Bible is, in fact, the best way to come to know God better. In the Scriptures, Jehovah tells us much more about the kind of God he is. He also reveals his purposes to us and educates us in his ways. (Amos 3:7; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17) How glad we can be that God wants us to "come to an accurate knowledge of truth" so that we can benefit from his loving provisions! (I Timothy 2:4) Let us, then, make every effort to learn all we can about Jehovah.

6.28.2004

Is Jesus God?

Jehovah God himself leaves no doubt about the identity of his Son. Matthew's Gospel account relates that after Jesus was baptized, "there was a voice from the heavens that said: 'This is my Son, the beloved, whom I have approved.'" (Matthew 3:16, 17) Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Yet, some religious people say that Jesus is God. Others say that God is a Trinity. According to this teaching, "the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, and yet there are not three Gods but one God." It is held that the three "are co-eternal and co-equal." (The Catholic Encyclopedia)are such views correct?

Concerning Jehovah, the inspired Scriptures say: "Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God." (Psalm 90:2) He is "the King of eternity - without beginning or end. (I Timothy 1:17) Jesus, on the other hand, is "the first born of all creation," "the beginning of the creation of God." (Colossians 1:13-15; Revelation 3:14) Referring to God as his Father, Jesus said: "The Father is greater than I am." (John 14:28) Jesus also explained that there were some things neither he nor the angels knew but that were known only by God. (Mark13:32) Moreover, Jesus prayed to his Father, saying: "Let,not my will, but yours take place." (Luke 22:42) To whom was he praying if not to a Personage superior to him? And it was God who resurrected Jesus from death, not Jesus himself. - Acts 2:32.

scripturally, then, Jehovah is God Almighty, and Jesus is his Son. The two of them were not equal before Jesus came to the earth or during his earthly life; nor did Jesus become equal to his Father after being resurrected to heaven. (I Corinthians 11:3; 15:28) As we have seen, the so-called third person of the Trinity, the holy spirit, is not a person. Rather,it is a force that God uses to accomplish whatever he wishes. The Trinity, then, is not a scriptural teaching. "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah," says the Bible. - Deuteronomy 6:4.


Next time: Get To Know God Better

6.26.2004

God Has A Unique Name

The Bible writer augur asked: "Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of both hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in a mantle? Who has made all the ends of the earth to rise? What is his name and what is the name of his son?" (Proverbs 30:4) In effect, augur was asking, 'Do you know the name or family line of any man who has done these things?' Only God has the power to control natural forces. While the creation provides powerful proof that God exists, it is silent about the name of God. In fact, we should never know God's name unless God himself revealed it to us. And he has. "I am Jehovah," says the Creator, "that is my name." - Isaiah 42:8.

God's unique name, Jehovah, occurs nearly 7,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures alone. Jesus Christ made that name known to others and praised it before them. (John 17:6, 26) That name is found in the last book of the Bible as a part of the expression "Hallelujah," meaning "praise Jah." And "Jah" is the shortened form of "Jehovah." (Revelation 19:1-6,footnote) Yet, many modern Bibles seldom use that name. They often use the word "Lord" or "God," written in all capital letters to set it apart from the common titles "Lord" and "God." Some scholars suggest that the divine name may have been pronounced Yahweh.

Why such differing views about the name of the greatest Personage in the universe? The problem began centuries ago when the Jews superstitiously ceased to pronounce the divine name and started to substitute the Hebrew word for "Sovereign Lord" whenever they came to the divine name as they read the Scriptures. Since Biblical Hebrew was written without vowels, there is no way to know precisely how Moses, David and others of ancient times pronounced the letters that make up the divine name. However, the English pronunciation, Jehovah, has been in use for centuries, and its equivalent in many languages is widely accepted today. - Exodus 6:3;Isaiah:4,King James Version.

Though there is uncertainty about how God's name was pronounced in ancient Hebrew, its meaning is not a complete mystery. His name means "He Causes To Become." Jehovah God thereby identifies himself as the Great Purposer. He always causes his purposes to become reality. Only the true God, who has the power to do this, can rightfully bear that name. - Isaiah 55:11.

Unquestionably, the name Jehovah serves to distinguish Almighty God from all other gods. That is why that name appears so often in the Bible. While many translations fail to use the divine name, Psalm 83:18 clearly states: "You whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth." During his ministry, Jesus Christ taught his followers" "You must pray, then, this way: ' Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.'" (Matthew 6:9) We should, then, use God's name when we pray, speak of him, and praise him before others.

Next time: Is Jesus God?

6.23.2004

Who Is God?

"God is the name commonly given to the ultimate source and power of the universe and the subject of religious devotion," says The Encyclopedia Americana. A dictionary defines the term "God" as the supreme or ultimate reality." What is the nature of such an awesome reality?

Is God an impersonal force or a real person? Does he have a name? Is he a triune entity, a Trinity, as many believe? How can we come to know God? The Bible provides truthful and satisfying answers to these questions. In fact, it encourages us to seek God, saying: "He is not far off from each one of us." - Acts 17:27

An Impersonal Force Or A Real Person?

Many who believe in God think of him as a force, not as a person. In certain cultures, for example, gods have been identified with the forces of nature. Some who have examined evidence gathered through scientific research into the structure of the universe and the nature of life on earth have concluded that there has to be a First Cause. Nevertheless, they hesitate to attach a personality to this Cause.

Yet, does not the complexity of creation indicate that the First Cause must have had great intelligence? Intelligence requires a mind. The great mind responsible for all creation belongs to the person of God. Yes, God has a body, not a physical one like ours, but a spiritual body. "If there is a physical body," says the Bible, "there is also a spiritual one." (I Corinthians 15:44) Explaining the nature of God, the Bible clearly states: "God is a spirit." (John 4:24) a spirit has a form of life that differs greatly from ours, and it is invisible to human eyes. (John 1:18) There are invisible spirit creatures as well. They are angels - "the sons of the true God." - Job 1:6; 2:1.

Since God is an uncreated person with a spiritual body, he logically has a place of residence. Referring to the spirit realm, the Bible tells us that the heavens are God's "established place of dwelling." (I Kings 8:43) Also, the Bible writer Paul states: 'Christ entered into heaven itself to appear before the person of God for us.' - Hebrews 9:24.

The word "spirit" is also used in the Bible in another sense. Addressing God in prayer, the psalmist said: " If you send forth your spirit, they are created." (Psalm 104:30) This spirit is not God himself but a force that God sends forth, or uses to accomplish whatever he wishes. By means of it, God created the physical heavens, the earth, and all living things. (Genesis 1:2; Psalm 33:6)His spirit is called holy spirit. God used his holy spirit to inspire the men who wrote the Bible. (2 Peter 1:20, 21) Hence, the holy spirit is the invisible active force that God uses to fulfill his purposes.


Next time: God Has A Unique Name

6.19.2004

We Need To Know Who God Is

Aren't you thrilled to see a sky that has millions of stars out on a cloudless night? Isn't the fragrance of all the colorful flowers wonderful? Do you enjoy listening to the songs of all the birds and the sound of the rustling leaves in a gentle breeze? And just how fascinating are the powerful whales and other creatures that inhabit the sea! Then there are us humans with a faculty of conscience and an amazingly complex brain. How do you account for the existence of all the wonderful things that are around us everywhere?

Some believe that all of this is a product of blind chance. But if this is actually so, then why are humans conscious of God? Why would an accidental combination of various chemicals produce creatures with a spiritual need?

"Religion is deeply rooted in human nature and experienced at every level of economic status and educational background." Professor Alister Hardy presented in his book The Spiritual Nature Of Man. Recent experiments on the brain have led certain neuroscientists to suggest that humans may have been "hardwired" with the capacity for religion. The book entitled Is God The Only Reality? Observes: "The religious quest for meaning...is the common experience in every culture and every age since the emergence of humankind."

Consider what a learned man concluded some 2,000 years ago. He wrote: "Every house is constructed by someone, but he that is constructed all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4) In fact, the first verse of the Bible states: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1.

Who, though, is God? Mankind is divided in this question. When asked who God is, a Japanese teenager named Yoshi replied: "I am not sure, I am a buddhist, and it has not been important for me to know who God is."Yoshi, though, admitted that Buddha himself is defined by many. Nick, a businessman in his 60's, believes in God and thinks of him as an all-powerful force. When asked to explain what he knows about God, Nick replied after a long pause: "That is a very difficult question, my friend. All I can say is that God is there. He exists."

Some people "worship and serve what God has created instead of the Creator himself." (Romans 1:25, Today's English Version) Millions worship dead ancestors, believing that God is too remote to be approached. In the Hindu religion, there are many Gods and godesses. Various deities, such as Zeus and Hermes, were worshiped in the days of Jesus Christ's apostles. (Acts 14:11, 12) Many churches of Christendom teach that God is a Trinity, consisting of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Indeed, "there are many 'gods' and many 'lords' states the Bible. However, it adds: "There is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are." (I Corinthians 8:5, 6) Yes, there is only on true God. But who is he? What is he like? It is important for us to know the answers to these questions. Jesus means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."

(John 17:3) There is reason to believe that our eternal welfare depends on knowing the truth about God.


Next time: Who Is God?

6.15.2004

You Gain By Giving

"People need other people for their health's sake," said American Health magazine. Researchers even clain that people who put themselves out for others derive health benefits. Jesus Christ, however, pointed to yet another benefit, saying: "Practice giving and people will give to you." (Luke6:38) The generous person wins the affections of others; invariably he becomes the recipient of generosity himself! - Compare Proverbs 11:25.

So practice giving, putting yourself out for others. Whenever your selfish streak manifests itself, remember that God's Word says: "Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person." (I Corinthians 10:24) By doing so you will gain not only the friendship of others but the approval of the Most High God.

6.12.2004

Helping "Those On The Outside"

At Colossians 4:5 the apostle Paul said: "Go on walking in wisdom toward those on the outside, buying out the opportune time for yourselves." Jehovah's Witnesses show their concern for others by preaching the Bible's message. (Matthew 24:14) Youths who take seriously their obligation before God are motivated to have as full a share in this work as possible.

I expend myself in the preaching work because of my love for Jehovah, says, Tamitha. Though only 11 years old, she spends many hours each month in evangelizing work. "Preaching also gives me an opportunity to show love for my neighbors. "Instead of seeking lucrative jobs, thousands of Christian youths have made a career of serving others as full-time evangelizers, often working part-time to support themselves. Others have volunteered to be missionaries or workers at various branch offices of the Watch Tower Society.

Next time: You Gain By Giving

6.05.2004

Being Neighborly To Fellow Christians

Said the apostle Paul: "Really, then, as long as we hav time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith." (Galatians 6:10) Much happiness results when you expend yourself in behalf of fellow Christians. - Acts 20:35

Sixteen year-old Chris, for example, is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He enjoys running errands for an elderly member of the local congregation. On one occasion she phoned him for help. The elevator in her apartment building was out of order, and because she was unable to climb five flights of stairs, she was stranded. Upon arriving, Chris said: "Get on my back, and I will haul you up if it's okay with you." Up they went to the fifth floor! Tiring? No doubt, but Chris was rewarded not only with the gratitude of his elderly friend but with the knowledge that his actions pleased God!

You need not wait for such dramatic situations to show your concern for others, however. For example, before and after Christian meetings, some youths tend to congregate together, excluding older ones. This runs contrary to the Bible's counsel to "show consideration" for older ones. (Leviticus 19:32) Sometimes, a friendly hello or a brief conversation is all it takes to cheer up and elderly one. 'But it's hard for me to talk to old people,' you might object. 'We have little in common.'

Doug, who now serves as an elder in the Christian congregation, fondly recalls: "At age 19 my best friends were old enough to be by parents or grandparents. How greatly they contributed to my spiritual growth!" Why not put yourself out a bit and make a point of befriending some elderly ones, perhaps at your next Christian meeting? You will usually find that you have far more in common than you realized! And like Doug, you will find that you can learn from their valuable experience in life.

Next time: Helping "Those On The Outside"