Have Unshakable Faith in the Kingdom - 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 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.  (1 John 5:14) But the greatest way Jehovah draw us close to him and shows his love for us is through the ransom.  (Read 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 allow 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 him."  He also said:" "No one comes to the Father except through me."  (John 6:44; 14:6) By means of holy spirit, Jehovah draws people  to himself through Jesus and helps them to have a good relationship with Him, so that they can live forever. (Read Jude 20, 21) Let us now see a second way in which Jehovah draws us close to him. (1 Corinthians 15:23-26) But the benefits of this covenant are everlasting. God's covenant with Abraham proves that Jehovah's purpose for righteous humans to "fill the earth" will succeed. - GENESIS 1:28.

Next time: Have Unshakable Faith in the Kingdom - A COVENANT GUARANTEES THAT THE KINGDOM WILL LAST

From the jw.org publications