HELPING PEOPLE TO DRAW CLOSE TO JEHOVAH

Our Role in Jehovah's Work

Writing to fellow anointed Christians, the apostle Paul speaks of  "the ministry of the reconciliation" and says that God reconciles people to himself on the basis of Jesus Christ's ransom sacrifice.  Paul says that it is "as though God were making entreaty through us" and that "as substitutes for Christ we beg:  'Become reconciled to God.' " What a heartwarming thought!  Whether we are anointed  "ambassadors substituting for Christ" or are envoys with earthly hopes, we should never forget that this is Jehovah's work,  not ours.  (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) It is really God who draws people and teaches those who come to Christ.  Jesus stated:  "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him; and I will resurrect him in the last day.   It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by Jehovah.'  Everyone that has heard from the Father has learned comes to me." -John 6:44, 45.

In these last days, how does Jehovah draw people and open to them the "door of faith?"  (Acts 14:27; 2 Timothy 3:1)  A key way is by having his Witnesses proclaim his messages of salvation and of judgment against this wicked system of t hings.  (Isaiah 43:12; 61:1, 2)  This worldwide proclamation is sending a tremor through the  nations-a portent of the judgmental shattering soon to come.  At the same time, people who are "precious in God's eyes are being drawn out of this system and are finding security in his "house" of true worship.  Jehovah is thus fulfilling his prophetic words recorded by Haggai:  "I will rock all the nations, and the desirable things of all the nations must come in; and I will fill this house with glory." -Haggai 2:6, 7; Revelation 7:9, 15.

Jehovah opens the hearts of these God-fearers-"the choicest things of all nations"-that they may "pay attention to the things being spoken" by his Witnesses.  (Haggai 2:7,  Jewish Publication Society; Acts 16:14)  As in the first century, Jehovah at times uses his angels to direct his Witnesses to sincere people who have cried out to him for help.  (Acts 8:26-31)  As individuals learn about the wonderful provisions God  has made for them through his Son, Jesus Christ, they are drawn to Jehovah by his love.  (1 John 4:9, 10) Yes, God draws people to himself and to his Son by means of his "loving-kindness," or "loyal love." -Jeremiah 31:3.

Next time: Whom Does Jehovah Draw?

Watchtower, 2000