Love-The Greatest Quality

More than all other qualities, love truly makes the soil of our heart responsive to Jehovah's Word. Thus, when comparing it with faith and hope, the apostle Paul described love as "the greatest of these" qualities. (1Corinthians 13:13) A heart filled with love for God gets intense satisfaction and joy from obeying him; it certainly does not chafe at God's requirements. The apostle John said: "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments and yet his commandments are not burdensome." ( 1 John 5:3) Along similar lines, Jesus said: "If anyone loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him." (John 14:23) Note that Jehovah knows that we are imperfect and regularly sin against him. Even so, he does not keep himself distant from us. What Jehovah looks for in his servants is "a complete heart," one that moves us to serve him willingly with "a delightful soul." ( 1Chronicles 28:9) of course, Jehovah knows that it takes time and effort for us to cultivate good qualities in our heart and thus to produce the fruitage of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22, 23) Hence, he is patient with us, "for he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) Reflecting the same attitude, Jesus never severely criticized his disciples for their faults but patiently helped and encouraged them. Do not such love, mercy and patience of Jehovah and Jesus move you to love them all the more? -Luke 7:47; 2 Peter 3:9.

If you at times find it a struggle to pull up deeply-rooted, weedlike habits or to break up pockets of hard, claylike traits, do not become downhearted or discouraged. Instead, keep working at making improvement as you "persevere in prayer," including frequent supplication to Jehovah for his spirit. (Romans 12:12) With his willing help, you will, like Ezra, succeed in having a heart fully prepared "to consult the law of Jehovah and do it."

Next time: Can The Problem Of Crime Be Solved?

Awake! 2008