GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES

GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES



"[Jehovah is] teaching you to benefit yourself."-ISAIAH 48:17.


AS SCIENTISTS labor to unlock the secrets of the universe, they are amazed by the tremendous amount of energy that is packed in the cosmos around us.  Our sun - a medium-sized star-produces as much energy as "100 billion hydrogen bombs exploding every second."  the Creator can control and direct such massive heavenly bodies by his sheer power.  (Job 38:12; Isaiah 40:26)  What about us humans, gifted with free will, moral capacity, reason, and the potential for spirituality?  In what way has our Maker seen fit to lead us?  He lovingly guides us by his perfect law and lofty principles, in conjunction with our well-trained conscience. -2 Samuel 22:31; Romans 2:14, 15.

God finds delight in intelligent creatures who choose to obey him.  (Proverbs 27:11) Instead of programming us to submit blindly as  mindless robots, Jehovah endowed us with free will so that we can make informed decisions to do what is right. -Hebrews 5:14.

Jesus, who perfectly reflected his Father, said to his disciples:  "You are my friends if you do what I am commanding you. I no longer call you slaves." (John 15:14, 15) In ancient times, a slave had little choice but to obey the orders of his master.  On the other hand, friendship is forged by the display of qualities that appeal to the heart.   We can become Jehovah's friends.  (James 2:23) This friendship is strengthened by mutual love.  Jesus linked obedience to God with love when he said:  "If anyone, loves me, he will observe my word, and my Father will love him."  (John 14:23) To that end-and to guide us safely-Jehovah invites us to live by his principles.

Next time: GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES - Godly Principles

The Watchtower, 2002