An Encouraging Experience
"When I was a young boy in boarding school, I got involved in homosexual practices, although I never thought of myself as being homosexual. My parents were divorced and I craved the parental affection that I never received. After finishing school, I did compulsory military service. There was a group of homosexuals in the barracks next to mine. I became envious of their life-style, so I started associating with them. After associating with them for a year, I began to think of myself as a homosexual. 'This is the way I am,' I reasoned, 'and I can do nothing about it.'
"I started learning the lingo and going to gay clubs, where drugs and alcohol were freely available. Although outwardly it all seemed very exciting and appealing,it was actually sickening. Deep down I sensed that this kind of relationship was unnatural and had no future.
"In a small town, I came across a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses while the meeting was on. I went in and listened to the talk, which dealt with the future Paradise conditions. Afterward I met some of the Witnesses and was invited to an assembly. I went, and that was a revelation to me-seeing happy families worshipping together. I started to study the Bible with the Witnesses.
"Although it was a struggle for me, I started to apply what I was learning from the Bible. I was able to break free from all my unclean practices. After studying for 14 months, I dedicated my life to Jehovah and was baptized. For the first time in my life, I had real friends. I have been able to help others learn the truth from the Bible, and now I serve as a ministerial servant in the Christian congregation. Jehovah has truly blesssed me.
Next time: We Are Responsible
12.31.2005
12.10.2005
The Root Of Mankind's Trouble
As we have already seen, mankind's problems started when the first human pair sinned. The result? While generations of Adam's offspring are not responsible for Adam's sin, they nonetheless are all born with sin, imperfection, and death as their inherited lot in life. The Bible explains: " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Man's imperfection puts him at a decided disadvantage. But that does not absolve him of all moral responsibility. The Bible shows that those who put faith in Jehovah's provision for life and conform their lives to God's standards will have his approval. Out of his loving-kindness, Jehovah made a merciful provision to redeem mankind, to buy back, as it were, what Adam had lost. That provision is the ransom sacrifice of his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who said: " God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." - John 3:16; 1Corinthians 15:21, 22.
The apostle Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this provision. He exclaimed: " Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24, 25) Paul new that if he succumbed to sin out of weakness, he could ask God's forgiveness on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As in the first century, today many who formerly led very bad lives or whose situation seemed hopeless have come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth, made the necessary changes, and come in line for God's blessing. The changes they had to make were not easy, and many still have to contend with harmful tendencies. But with God's help, they are able to maintain integrity and find joy in serving him. (Philippians 4:13) Consider, just one example of someone who made drastic changes in order to please God.
Next time: An Encouraging Experience
As we have already seen, mankind's problems started when the first human pair sinned. The result? While generations of Adam's offspring are not responsible for Adam's sin, they nonetheless are all born with sin, imperfection, and death as their inherited lot in life. The Bible explains: " That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." - Romans 5:12.
Man's imperfection puts him at a decided disadvantage. But that does not absolve him of all moral responsibility. The Bible shows that those who put faith in Jehovah's provision for life and conform their lives to God's standards will have his approval. Out of his loving-kindness, Jehovah made a merciful provision to redeem mankind, to buy back, as it were, what Adam had lost. That provision is the ransom sacrifice of his perfect Son, Jesus Christ, who said: " God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." - John 3:16; 1Corinthians 15:21, 22.
The apostle Paul expressed his deep appreciation for this provision. He exclaimed: " Miserable man that I am! Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24, 25) Paul new that if he succumbed to sin out of weakness, he could ask God's forgiveness on the basis of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As in the first century, today many who formerly led very bad lives or whose situation seemed hopeless have come to an accurate knowledge of Bible truth, made the necessary changes, and come in line for God's blessing. The changes they had to make were not easy, and many still have to contend with harmful tendencies. But with God's help, they are able to maintain integrity and find joy in serving him. (Philippians 4:13) Consider, just one example of someone who made drastic changes in order to please God.
Next time: An Encouraging Experience
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