How Jehovah Draws Close to Us - JEHOVAH USES THE RANSOM TO DRAW US CLOSE

Jehovah showed his love for humans when he created a beautiful earthly home for us. He continues to show his love by keeping us alive each day. (Acts 17:28; Revelation 4:11) An even greater way Jehovah shows us his love is by providing for our spiritual needs. (Luke 12:42)  He also assures us that he personally listens when we pray to him. (John 5:14)  But the greatest way Jehovah draws us close to him  and shows he love for us is through the ransom.  (1 John 4:9, 10, 19) Jehovah sent his own Son to sacrifice his life for us. Only by means of this sacrifice can we hope to live forever as perfect humans. - JOHN 3:16.

Jehovah intended the ransom to benefit all humans, even those who lived before the ransom was paid. How was this possible?  When he  gave the prophecy about our future Savior, Jehovah viewed the ransom as already paid because he knew that his purpose for mankind would not fail. (Genesis 3:15) Hundreds of years later, the apostle Paul thanked Jehovah for "the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus."  Paul explained that God "was forgiving the sins that occurred in the past." (Romans 3:21-26) So we cannot draw close to God without Jesus.

Jehovah allows humble people to enjoy a close relationship with him only through Jesus.  The Bible says: "God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8) The ransom was paid, not because we earned it, but because Jehovah and Jesus loved us so much.  Jesus said: "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me draws close to him."  He also said: "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 6:44; 124:6) By means of holy spirit, Jehovah draws people close to himself through Jesus and helps them to have a good relationship  with Him, so that they can live forever. (Jude 20, 21.) Let us  now see a second way  in which Jehovah draws us close to him.

Next time: How Jehovah Draws Close to Us - JEHOVAH USES THE BIBLE TO DRAW US CLOSE

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