How Can We Show That We Love Jehovah?

ACCEPT GOD'S COUNSEL AND DISCIPLINE

"Those whom Jehovah loves he reproves, just as father does a son in whom he delights," the Bible reminds us. (Proverbs 3:12) How, though, should we respond?  The apostle Paul was being realistic when he wrote:  " No discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but it is painful."   In saying so, Paul was not minimizing the importance or value of discipline, for he continued:  "Yet afterward, it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."  (Hebrews 12:11)  If we love Jehovah, we must guard against becoming complacent or resentful of his counsel.  For some, that can be a real challenge.  Our love for God can greatly help us.

In the days of Malachi, many  Jews did not appreciate God's  counsel.  they knew the Law regarding the offering of sacrifices but became so shamefully negligent that Jehovah had to give them strong counsel.  (Read Malachi 1:12, 13.)  How serious was the situation?  Listen to Jehovah's words: "I wills send on you the curse, and I will turn your blessings  into curses because you are not taking [my commandment] to heart." (Matthew 2:1, 2)  Clearly, habitually or deliberately ignoring Jehovah's loving counsel can have serious consequences.  

In today's me-first, self-centered generation, it is not easy to talk about counsel and discipline, let alone to accept such. Even those who seem to accept counsel or discipline often do so begrudgingly.  Christians, though, are advised to "stop being molded by this system of things."  We are to perceive and follow the "perfect will of god." (Romans 12:2) Though his organization, Jehovah gives us timely counsel about many areas of life-our conduct with the opposite sex, our associations, and our recreation.  By willingly accepting and applying such direction, we show that we are grateful  and that we truly love Jehovah from the heart. -John 14:31; Romans 6:17. 

Next time: How Can We Show That We Love Jehovah? -LOOK TO JEHOVAH FOR PROTECTION AND SALVATION

From the Watchtower magazine