HOW CAN YOU SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION?

Why should we be deeply grateful to Jehovah for the ransom? Well, a gift especially precious when it involves a sacrifice of time, effort, or expense on the part of the giver.  Our heart is touched when we see that a gift  is an expression of the giver's genuine love for us.  The ransom  is the most precious of all gifts, for God made the greatest sacrifice ever in providing it.  "God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten S0n, says John 3:16.  The ransom is the most outstanding evidence of Jehovah's love for us.  It is also proof of jesus' love, for he willingly gave his life in our behalf.  (John 15:13 ) (and we did not appreciate him for it. we were not worth it, but God thought we were)  The gift of the ransom should therefore convince us that Jehovah and his Son love us as individuals. -Galatians 2:20. 

How, then, can you demonstrate that you appreciate God's gift of the ransom?  To begin with,  get to know more about the Great Giver, Jehovah.  (John 17:3) A study of the Bible with the aid of this publication will help you to do that. As you grow in knowledge of Jehovah, your love for him will deepen. In turn, that love  will make you want to please him. -1 John 5:3.

Exercise faith in Jesus' ransom sacrifice. Jesus himself said:  "He that exercises faith in the Son has everlasting life." (John 3:36) How can we exercise  faith in Jesus?  Such faith is not shown by words alone.  "Faith without works is  dead," says James 2:26.  Yes, true faith is proved by "works,"  that is, by our actions.  One way to show that we have faith in Jesus  is by doing our best  to imitate him not just in what we say but also in what we do. -John 13:15.

Attend the annual observance of the Lord's Evening Meal.  On the evening of Nisan 14, 33 C.E., Jesus introduced a special observance that the Bible calls "the Lord's evening meal." (1 Corinthians 11:20; Matthew 26:26-28) This observance is also called the Memorial of Christ's death.  Jesus instituted it to help his apostles and all true Christians after them to bear in mind that by means of his death as a perfect human, he gave his soul, or life as a ransom. Regarding this observance, Jesus commanded: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19)  Observing the Memorial reminds us of the great love shown by both Jehovah and Jesus in connection with the ransom.  We can show our appreciation  for the ransom by being present at the yearly observance of the Memorial of Jesus' death.

Jehovah's provision of the ransom  is indeed an invaluable gift.  (2 Corinthians 9:14, 15) This priceless gift  can benefit  even those who have died.  Chapters 6 and 7 will explain how. 

Next time: Where Are the Dead? Chapter Six

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006