What Does the Bible Say About Easter?

 THE BIBLE'S ANSWER

The celebration of Easter is  not based on the Bible.  If you look into its history, though, you will see the true meaning of Easter-Its a tradition based on ancient fertility rites.  Consider the following: 

1. Name;  The Encyclopedia Britiannica says:  "The English name Easter is of uncertain origin; the Anglo-Saxon priest Venerable Bede inthe 8th century derived it from the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Eastre."  Others link it to Astarte, the Phoenician fertility goddess who had the Babylonian counterpart Ishtar.

2. Hares, rabbits: These are symbols of fertility "handed down from the ancient ceremonial and symbolism of European and Middle Easter pagan spring festivals." Encyclopedia Britiannica.  

3. Eggs:  According to Funk and Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend , the hunt for easter eggs, supposedly brought by the Easter rabbit,  "is not mere child's play, but the vestige of fertility rite."  Some cultures  believed that the decorated Easter egg  "could magically bring happiness, prosperity, health, and protection." - Traditioal Festivals.

Next time: Conclusion of What Does the Bible Say About Easter?

From the jw.org publications

Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration? - Conclusion

 Philippe Walter, a professor of medieval literature, explains how such customs became part of the Easter celebration. He wrote that "in the process of the Christianization of pagan religions," it was the easy to associate the pagan festival that celebrated "the passage from the death of winter to introducing "Christian commemorations" to the pagan calendar, thus smoothing the way to mass conversion.

This process of "Chritianization" did not occur while the apostles were still alive, because they acted as a "restraint" against paganism.  (2 Thessalonians 2:7)  The apostle Paul warned that after his "going away," men would "rise and speak twisted things  to draw away the disciples after themselves." (Acts 20:29, 30) And late in hte first century, the apostle John wrote that some men were already misleading Christians.  (1 John 2:18, 26) The way was open for the eventual adoption of pagan customs. 

Some may feel, however, that allowing some of the Easter customs was not wrong-that it gave "pagans" a better  understanding of the meaning of  Jesus' resurrection.  Paul, however, would never have agreed. Although expossed many pagan customs while traveling through the Roman Empire, he never adopted any of them to give people a better understanding of Jesus.  On the contrary, he warned the Christians:  "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what feellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what shirng does light havewith darkness?  Therefore, get out from among htem, and separate  yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing."' - 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14, 17. 

What is the result of our brief examination of the details?  It has clearly revealed that Easter is not a Christian celebration.

Next time: What Does the Bible Say About Easter?

From the jw.org publications

Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration?

 Easter is described in the Encyclopediqa Britiannica as the "principal festival of the Christian church that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ."  However, is it a Christian celebration?

To establish  the authencity of an artifact, attention to detail is critical.  Similarly, for us to see whether Easter is a Christian celebration , it is essential that we take a look at the details related to Easter.

First of all, Jesus asked his followers to commemorate, not his resurrection, but his death. The apostle Paul called this occasion "the Lord's Evening Meal." - 1 CORINTHIANS 11:20; LUKE 22:19, 20. 

Additionally, many of the Easter traditions "have little to do" with Jesus' resurrection, states the Britannica, "but derive from folk customes."  For instance, regarding the popular Easter symbols the egg and the rabbit, the Encyclopedia of Religion says:  "The egg symbolizes new life breaking through the apparent death (hardness) of the eggshell."  It adds:   "The rabbit was known as an extraordinarly fertile creature, and hence, it symbolized the coming of spring. 

Note: Rabbits do not lay eggs, they are like us, they are mammals in the sense that they give birth normally like humans.  If they wanted Easter eggs,they should have picked  a chicken for that.  THINK! I don't care what the encyclopedia says. 

Next time: Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration? -Conclusion

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Why Don't Jehovah's WItnesses Celebrate Easter? - Why don't Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Easter?

 * The Easter holiday celebration is not based on the Bible.

* Jesus commands  that we commemorate his death, not his resurrection.  We observe this Memorial each year on the anniversary of his death according to the Bible's lunar calender. - LUKE 22:19, 20.

*  We believe that the origins of Easter customs, which come from ancient fertility rites make Easter unacceptable to the true God. The true God requires that we give him  "exclusive devotion," and his is offended by worship that includes practices that he does not approve of. - EXODUS 20:5; 1 KINGS 18:21.

We believe that our decision to abstain from celebrating Easter is based firmly on the Bible, which encourages the use of "practical wisdom and thinking ability" rather than simply following human traditions.  (Proverbs 3:21; Matthew 15:3) While we share our beliefs about Easter with others when asked, we also respect each person's right to decide what he/she will do. - 1 PETER 3:15.

Next time:  Is Easter Really a Christian Celebration?

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Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter?

 Common misconceptions

Myth: The reasonwhy Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Easter is that they are not Christians.

Fact:  We believe Jesus Christi is our Savior, and we do out best to "follow his steps closely." - 1 PETER 2:21; LUKE 2:11.

Myth: You do not believe that Christ was raised from the dead.

Fact: We believe  in Jesus' resurrection; we recognize it as core to the Christian faith and highlight it in our preaching. - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3, 4, 12-15. 

Myth: You do not care that  your children miss out on the joy of Easter holiday.

Fact: We love our children-we expend ourselves in training them and helping them to be happy- TITUS 2:4

Next time:  Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter? -  Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Easter?

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"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - KEEP ON LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF- Conclusion

 Jesus help;ed us to understand more about who our neighbor is when he said that his Father  "makes the sun rise on both the wicked and the good and makes it rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous."   (Matthew 5:43-45)  Jesus was teaching us that we should show olove to all people, whether they are righteous or unrighteous. As mentioned earlier, and important way to show love of rour neighbor is to teach him about Jehovah and his Kingdom.  If our neighbor applies what he learns from the Bible, he can have the great joy of  becoming God's friend.

We have already learned why should love Jehovah with our whole heart, soul, and mind. We have also learned how we can show love for our neighbor. If we love Jehovah and our neighbor, we are obeying the two greatest commandments. Best of all, we please our heavenly Father, Jehovah.

SOME EXPRESSIONS EXPLAINED

* To have compassion for peole means that we see their suffering and we want o do something to help them

* Neighbor:  We usually think of a neighbor as someone who lives close to us or someone who has a lot in common with us. However, in his illustratio of the Samaritan, Jesus taught us that we should view all people as our neighbor, no matter what their nationality or culture is. Also, Jesus taught us that we can be a neighbor to others when we love them and have compassion for them.

Next time: Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Celebrate Easter?

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"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - KEEP ON LOVING YORU NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

 If we follow  the Bible's counsel, we will always love our neighboras we love ourselves.  (Matthew 22:39)  Jehovah and Jesus expect us to do this.  We must love all people, no matter  where they come from o what their culture is.  Whenever it is difficult to show love for our neighbor, we can pray to Jehovah, and he will help us. - ROMANS 8:26, 27. 

The command to love our neighbor is so important that it is called "the royal law." (James 2:8)  In the Mosaic Law, Jehovah gave his people  many commandments that taught them to love their neighbor.  Later, Jehovah inspired Paul to write: "Whatever other commandment there is, summed up in this saying: "You must love your neighbor as yourself."' - ROMANS 13:8-10. 

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - KEEP ON LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF - Conclusion

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"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE -Conclusion

 Love "does not become provoked. It does  not keep account of the injury."  If someone does something unkind to us , we do not quickly become angry.  We should keep a record of all the times that a person hurt us.  (1 Thessalonians 5:15)  If we hold a grudge, our anger could burn like a fire,  hurting ourselves and other.  (Leviticus 19:18)  Instead, we should forgive and forget.  Love "does not rejoice over unrighteousness."  If a person who hates us is treated unfairly, we are not happy to see him suffer. - Read PROVERBS 24:17, 18. 

Paul wrote that love "bears all things."  When we love our neighbor, we will forgive him when does something that upsets us. Paul also said that love "believes all things."  We believe what we read in the Bible and are thankful to be taught by Jehovah's organization.  Love "hopes all things."  We have hope because we trust in all the things that Jehovah has promised us.  And because we love people, we do our best to tell them about our hope. (1 Peter 3:15)  When we face very difficult situations, we pray and hope for the best results.  Even if somebody sins against us or persecutes us, we endure.  As Paul said,  love"endures all things."  He also said:"love never fails." Those who are obedient to Jehovah will show love to their neighbor forever.

Next time: "You Must Love  Your Neighbor as Yourself" - KEEP ON LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF

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"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE

 If we love our neighbor in the way that Paul described, we will please Jehovah, have fewer problems and be happy. What Paul wrote at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 will teach us other ways to love our neighbor as  ourselves. -Read.

Love is patient and kind."  Jehovah is patient and kind toward all people even though they are imperfect. So we need to be patient and kind when others  make mistakes, even if they are unkind or rude to  us.  The Bible says that  "love is not jealous."  Some of our brothers  may have privileges in the congregation or other things we do not have. But if we truly love our brothers, we will not be jealous of them. Also, we should be proud or boast about ourselves.  The Bible tells us that Jehovah hates those who have haughty eyes and an arrogant  heart." - (Proverbs 21:4.

Love "does not behave indencently." If we show love for our neighbor, we will not lie to him or steal from him or do anthing else that makes Jehovah unhappy. Also, we will not be selfish, because love "does not look for its own interests."  So we will always do what is best for our neighbor. - PHILIPPIANS 2:4. 

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as  Yourself" - Conclusion of PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE

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"You Must Love Your Neighbors as Yourself" -THE BEST WAY TO SHOW LOVE

 There are many ways to show love for our neighbor.  But Jesus taught us that the best way to do so is to preach the good news of the Kingdom.  (Luke 8:1)  He told his followers: "Make disciples of people of the nations." (Matthew 28:19, 20) When we obey Jesus, we can help our neighbor to leave the spacious road that leads to destruction and show him how to walk on the cramped road leading off into life.  (Matthew 7:13, 14) We know that our efforts are very pleasing to Jehovah.

Jesus helped many people to understand that they needed Jehovah.  (Matthew 5:3)  We imitate Jesus when we tell people about "God's good news." (Romans 1:1)  We teach them that Jesus' sacrifice makes it possible for them to have Jehovah's  approval and friendship.  (1 Corinthians 5:18, 19) Preaching the good news is truly an important way to show love for our neighbor.

When we prepare well for our visits and Bible studies, we are able to teach people to obey Jehovah. Some may need to make many changes in their lives.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)  It makes us so happy to see how Jehovah helps with humble ones to make progress and become his friends.  (Acts 13:48)  When they study the Bible, people who had no hope become happy.  Their anxiety is replaced by confidence in Jehovah.  It is an honor to show love to our neighbor through this special work. 

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF LOVE

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'You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - WAYS TO SHOW LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR -Conclusion

 Love your enemies.   Jehovah has always taught us to love our enemies.  In Jesus' time, some taught that people should hate their enemies.  But Jesus counseled:  "Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43-45)  Paul gave similar counsel when he said:"If your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink." (Romans 12:20; Proverbs 25:21)  In ancient Israel, Jehovah gave his people laws instructing them to help their enemies  and even their enemies' animals. (Exodus 23:5) By applying that counsel, some people who once hated one another might have become good friends.  As Christians, showing love for their enemies may change the way they feel about us. Some of them may even become servants of Jehovah. 

"Pursue peace with all people." (Hebrews 12:14)  If we make peace with all people, of course we must peace with our brothers. Jesus said: "If, then, you are bringing your gift to the altar and there you remember tha tyour brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. and go away.  First make your peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23, 24) Whenever we have a problemwith  one of our brothers, we show love for him by trying to make peace as soon as we can.  When we quickly make peace, it will be very pleasing to Jehovah.  

Do no judge others. "Stop judging that you may not be judged."  Jesus taught us not to judge others for the mistakes that they make.  He also said:  "Why, then, do you look  in your brother's eye but do not notice the rafter in your own eye, and then you will see clearly how remove  the straw from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1-5)  The lesson is  that we should not criticize other people when they make  mistakes because we make many mistakes ourselves.

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - THE BEST WAY TO S HOW LOVE

From the jw.org publications

"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - WAYS TO SHOW LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR

 Offer help from the Bible.  In our preaching work, we give our neighbor "comfort from the Scriptures." (Romans 15:4) We show lofe for him when we use the Bible to tell him about the good news of God's Kingdom.  (Matthew 24:14)  It is an honor to bring this message of hope frtom Jehovah God our neighbor. - ROMANS 15:13. 

Follow the Golden Rule. Jesus told us what the Golden Rule is when he said: "All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you must also do to them. Meaning treat others as you want them to treat you.  This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean." (Matthew 7:12) "The Law refers to the books of Genesis through Deuteronomy, and "the Prophets" refrer   to the prophetic books  of the Hebrew Scriptures.  Jehovah gave "the Law and "the Prophets" to his people because he loved them and want them to love one another.  Today, too,  Jehovah expects us to love our neighbor.  In the book of Isaiah, Jehovah says: "Uphold justice, and do what is righteous . . . Happy is the man who does this." (Isaiah 56:1, 2) If we show love for our neighbor and follow the Golden Rule, we will be happy.

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - WAYS TO SHOW LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR?

 We usually think of a neighbor as someone who lives near to us.  (Proverbs 27:10)  But when a man asked Jesus: "Who really is my neighbor?"  he answered him using the illustration of a Samaritan and explained what it means to love others.  (Read Luke 10:29-37.) A Jewish man had been robbed, beaten, and left on the road to die. An Israelite priest and a Levite, who were supposet o be good neighbors, saw him but did not help  him.  Instead, a Samaritan helped him . At that time, most Jews and Samaritans hated one another. - JOHN 4:9. 

The Samaritan poured oil and wine on the injured man's wounds to help the wounds heal. Then he took him to an inn and gave the innkeeper two denari. This was equal to the pay that a pserson would receive for two days work.  (Matthew 20:2)  When we think of how much that Samaritan  did to help  the injured man, we know that he had real love for his neighbor. We can be like that Samaritan if we have compassion and love for people.

We live in "the last days' when most people do not have compassion.  Many are cruel, love violence, and have no love for their neighbor.  (2 Timothy 3:1-3) For example, in October 2012, Hurricane Sandy badly damaged an area of New York City. Many peopledid  not have electricit, heat, or the things they needed.  Sadly,  looters stole from those who were already suffering.  Jehovah's Witnesses were different. They organized help for their brothers and for others in the area because true Christians love their neighbor. What are some other ways to show love for our neighbor? 

Next time: "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" - WAYS TO SHOW LOVE FOR OUR NEIGHBOR

From the jw.org publications

"You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"

 "The second [commandment] is this:  'You must love your neighbor as yourself."' - MATTHEW 22:39.

WHEN a Pharisee asked Jesus what the greatest commandment in the Law is.  Jesus said: "You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind."   We discussed what this means in the previous article.  Jesus also stated what the second greatest commandment is.  He said:  "You must love your neighbor as yourself." - MATTHEW 22:34-39. 

Jesus said that we must love our neighbor. But who is our neighbor?  How can we do what Jesus said?  In this article, we will answer those questions and will see how loving our neighbor pleases Jehovah and benefits everyone.

Next time:  "You Must Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"-WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR?

From the jw.org publications

 

True Love is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE UNION

 Dwelling as brothers in unity in the New World society also refreshes us, revives us, like the dew of Mount Hermon of the lofty Lebanon range, Hermon's perpetually snow-streaked top caused the night  vapors to condense upn Zion's mountains far to the south, where Jehovah had placed his name. The dew thus falling was a saving factor for vegetation of the Promised Land during the hot, rainless season from Ma to September.  How so?  Recently it has been discovered that when plants wilted from the dry  heat they recovered from wilting more rapidly when dew formed on their leaves at night than when the ground was watered, and that so much dew was taken up that the plants  functioned normall during the next day without any watering of the ground. It had not been suspected how large an amount of water was absorbed from dew later excreted through the roots into the soil and stored there without loss by evaporation. The amount of water thus put into underground storage by tghe plant was found to be measured in mililiters even in the case of small plants and occasionally to equal the entire weight  of the plant itself. Doubtless this was the way most of the vegetation of hte earth was watered from the third creative day down till the flood of Noah's day, when God had not yet made it rain upon the earth but vapor went up continually from the earth and it watered the entire surface of the ground. (Genesis 2:5, 6, NW) So the dew that the snowy top of Mount Hermon induced to fall upon the sacred mountains of Zion was like that refreshing, life-sustaining moisture, to keep things green, attractive. - JUDGES 6:36-40. 

As with typical Zion in Palestine, so with the antitypical Zion, God's Kingdom, should lie the blessing for us, even life for evermore, he cause the typical Zion of old to be bathed daily with dew during the hot, wilting season, as a prophetic picture. Our dwelling as brothers in amiabler unity is like that abundant dew, refreshing amd the persecutive heat of this world and conducint to our life for evermore in Gods new world.  It is because our dwelling this wins the favor of our reigning King Jesus Christ:  "The king's wrath is as the roaring of  a lion; but his favor is a dew upon the grass." (Proverbs 19:12) To this restored spiritual Israel Jehovah God has promised: "I will be as the dew unto Israel"; and he causes this word to trickle down upon them like dew for their unfailing refreshment. - HOSEA 14:4, 5, AS; DEUTERONOMY 32:2, NW.

By forsaking the gathering of ourselves together and by failing to keep  in unity as a New World society we should deprive ourselves of this life-sustainig dew.  Can we afford to be without such sorely needed refreshment amid this hostile old world?  No!  We need it to be always fresg fo rout foretold work among the people of good will; as it is written: "The remnant of Jacob [spiritual Israel] shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as shower upon the grass; that tarry not for man, nor wait for sons of men." (Micah 5:7, AS)  We shall not be suited to be like dew to the parched people unless we ourselves  have this spiritual refreshment first.  Our keeping unified  as a New World society will supply it to us, keeping us cool and calm and pleasant for God as well as his own people to look at.  The all-essential thing to our keeping thus united is that fruitage of the divine spirit, love.  It is a love, not merely in word or with the tongue, but in deed and truth, for true love is practical.

Next time: "You Must Love  Your Neighbor as Yourself"

From the jw,org publications

True Love Is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE uNION

 Let us be friends.  He that has friends must do something, he must be friendly.  (Proverbs 18:24) "A friend loveth at all times; and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17, AS) By such permanent friendship it becomes manifest to this world that we are Christ's disciples, true Christians.  (John 13:34, 35) Love makes such permanent friendship possible.  "Love covereth all sins." (Proverbs 10:12) Love is an indissoluble tie, it is is the real article.  The unity in which it holds brothers together tightly is charmingly pictured at Psalm 133:1-3: "Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down upon the collar of his robes!  It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls upon the mountains of Zion!  For there the LORD [Jehovah] has commanded the blessing, life for evermore." - RS. 

The oil with which Moses' brother Aaron was anointed and consecrated as Israel's high priest was not only smooth but very fragrabt, releasing a pleasant perfume upon all around  about and making it agreeable to be in the high priest's neighborhood. It was a fragrance that no other ointment had, for God did not let anyone else make an anointing oil of its composition. In the same way the fragrabce of the New World society's unit makes us pleasantly conscious of an atmosphere of love such as no organization of this world exhales. We enjoy being in that atmosphere; it is good for us. It comes from  God through his great High Priest, Jesus Christ.  It is the breath of His spirit. -EXODUS 30:22-33; ACTS 10:38. 

Next time: True Love Is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE UNION - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications 

True Love Is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE UNION

 God's love holds the entire universe of holy creatures in  union with him.  His most loving gift of his only-begotten Son is an amiable step toward finally  bringing  the many estranged ones on earth into un breakable union with him.  His love induced him to be positive, taking the first action of kindness and forgiving from the heart. That is love in practice.  In our witness work in the field we show kindness to our foes, our opposers, and pray in their behalf, going over our territory again ans again although we have been abused in it by the ignorant and misled ones. How inconsistent  then, to steel ourselves against our own brothers  in the congregation by hardening through that we can excuse the world for its ignorance but our brothers should have known better and  should be dealt with with proportionate severity to make them realize it and feel it till it hurts! In the light of God's example our obligation uis to love our brothers and show them thus a better and superior way. Think good of the brothers. Plan obnly good for others and put the plan into action.  Cultivate this greatest fruit of the spirit, love.

Let the perfect bond of  union grow strong within the New World society.  "Clothe  yourselves with the  tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.  Continue  putting up with each others and forgiving one anothers freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another.  Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also.  But, besides all these things, clothe yourself with love, for it is a perfect bond of union." (Colossians 3:12-14, NW)  If it is a bond of union it must draw  and hold us together, not separate us, not scatter us.  Now in the antitypical ark of the new system of things that will ride out the Armageddon seas into the new world we mst draw together, not avoid one another.  Difficulties should not be of long continuance between brothers but should be ironed out at the earliest in the interest of everyone's being of the same mind in the Lord.  (Philippians 2:1-4; 4:2)  God's creation hangs together through power from him, like the "attractions  of Kesil." (Job 38:31, Yg) The new world of righteousness will also hang together. It is just ahead, so that a great crowd of this present generation may survive in the "ark" to enter into it from its start. What, then,? Why, we must live together now, before the new world. Armageddon will not miraculously change our disposition toward our brothers, suddenly making us amiabe.  We must change it now .  True, Armageddon can blot out dispositions, but the dispositions it blots out iwill be of those it destroys.  One thing is for certain: True love will survive Armageddon and so will those who practice it. 

Next time: True Love Is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE UNION - Continued

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical - IN MIND, TOO

 By such an unforgiving,, irreconcilable spirit he tends to make his brother weak, to impede him spiritually.  Better is it to forgive and dispose of the contentions and quarreling and help the brother to be a like strong city, the way some modern translators prefer to render Proverbs 18:19: "A brother helped is like a strong city, but quarreling likethe bars of a castle." (RS) "A  brother helped by a brother is like a fortified city; he holds firm as he bar of a castle." (AT; Bover-Cantera) Our responsibility and privilege is to edify our brother by extending forgiveness, if necessary, and  thus help to make him strong and untabable by the enemy, able to hold out like bar of a castle against all assaults on the world.  That way a Christian benefits himself as well as his spiritual brother.  "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul; but he that is  cruel troubleth his own flesh." (Proverbs 11:17, AS) Remember that Jesus said: "Happy are the merciful, since they will be shown mercy. For if you if forgive men their trespasses, yor heavenly Father will also forgive you; whereas if you do not forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will not forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 5:7; 6:14, 15, NW) Is God's forgiveness not worth gaining?  It means our everlasting life in the new world. 

We spare ourselves much inward pain and trial by not being touchy, sensitive, easily offended.  Do not imagine yourself the one hinted at in remarks by others adn to be undeservedly criticized, and so take offense and feel injured. If in doubt as to who it is meant,  inquire  of the speaker.  Do not jump to conclusions ad hold something against the speaker and chill against him. If his remarks  fit you, they may have fitted others too, and the speaker may had someone else in miknd as an illustration. So meekly take te benefit of his remarks along with others.  How would you feel if the speaker came to you direct and said:  "You are the man"?  That would be something with unmistakable meaning for you to take, but, while hurting you, it would be something for you either to acknowledge as true or to defend yourself against as false.  A royal dignitary higher than you took it-King David. Without feeling any offense and punishing his bold accuser, the propohet Nathan, he admitted that he was the one that matched Nathan's illustration and he repented.  Doing this did him good and led to his reconcilliation with  Jehovah God.  (2 Samuel 11:1 to 12:15; Proverbs 28:13) So  humble yourself to accept deserved rebuke and correction and be thankful for it.  But do not impute evil to another and let your imaginatin run wild and  induce you feel offended and grow morbid.   It will unbalane you, wreck your peace and happiness, and spoil your easy, good relations with a brother not aware he hurt you.

Next time: True Love Is Practical - A PERFECT BOND OF AMIABLE UNION

From the jw.org publications 

.  "

True Love Is Practical - IN MIND, TOO

 Cain never forgave his brother Abel for innocently putting him in the shade when it came to wining God's favor;  he doubless felt an indignity had been done to his position as first-born and his pride was hurt.  Esau meditated murder against his brother Jacob for taking steps to have the birthright that had legally purchased conveyed to him by their father Isaacml according to God's decree.  Jacob left home to let his brother's rage cool off.  On returning even after twenty years of absence Jacob was  not sure of Esau's forgiveness, but sent gift after gift ahead if gun to Esau in the hope that these gifts as well as long absence with forgetfulness would soften his brother and win him to his right senses.  It turned out that way, fortunately, but a long time, twenty years, was involved.  How about laying seige to a strong city that long to win or capture it? - GENESIS 25:20-34; 27:1-45; 31:36-41; 32:3 to 33:11.

General Joab nursed a grudge against his Israelite brother, General Abner, for having killed his brother Asahel in time of civil war, and finally killed Abner by a trick.  (2 Samuel 2:18-23; 3:26-39) King David's son Absalom never forgave his half brother  for violating his sister Tamar, but after two years of biding his time he schemed  out an opportunity and had Amnon killed.  (2 Samuel 13:1-29) So brothers in the New World society must guard against   harboring resentment, sulking, getting moodly, going over real or fancified injuries again and againin the mind and just growing colder and more bitter against a brother considered as an offender.  The brother charged  with the offense or guilty of it may follow the course Jesus outlined at MATTHEW 18:15-17.  Still the brother stays stubborn and refuses to allow for reconcilliation; he does not want to let the offender off too easy, even if he is his spiritiual brotehr. He prefers to make  the contentions unbreakable like the gate-bar of a castle.  His thus misses the opportunity to imitate God: "But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.  Therefore,  become imitators  of God, as beloved children."(Ephesians 4:32; 5:1, NW) The one  he injures is mainly himself.  

Next time: True Love Is Practical - IN MIND, TOO - Conclusion

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True Love Is Practical - IN MIND, TOO

 The mind is a dynamic factor toward our expressng or holding back loce toward otherrs.  We need to watch the state of our mind, so as to see that it is not negative, self-centered, introverted. wholly absorbed in oneself or thinking wew are a  nuisance to others, and so  inclining us to be alone with our thoughts.  The apostle's antidote for such   a mental disorder  is this: "Keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matter, but also in personal interest upon those of the others.  Keep this mental attitude  in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:4, 5, NW) Following ths antidote we shall be moved to act unselfishly  toward others in the New World society.  This should nlt  be too hard.  If Christ's sermon on the mount commanded us to love even our enemies and do good to them, how much rather should we love our lovers, our brothers in the family of God?  Be a loving extrovert.  

Describing how this quality works, 1 Corinthians 13:5, (NW)  says: "It does not keep account of the injury."  In other words, do not hold a grudge against a spiritual brother.  If any one stubbornly does so, he may turn out to be as irreconcilable as the offended brother described in Proverb 18:19: "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and such contentions are like the bars of a castle."  Yes, contrary  to what might be expected, a brother will refuse to show family affection and forgive his own flesh-and-blood brother, evidently taking the attitude that his brother should not have offended or transgressed against one so close to him as his own brother. 

Next time: True Love Is Practical - IN MIND, TOO- Continued

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True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH" -Conclusion

 We cannot afford to ignore our brothers in the New Word society.  There is no reason or excuse for the conduct described in the followig quotation from a letter to the Society:  "Much more I could say, but lets down  to the reason for writing .  Please answer in the Watchtower.  Can it be possible that one being a consecrated witness of Jehovah can sit with other witnesses for years in the same Kingdom Hall, in the same pew side by side, walking past each other, not for months, but for years, and not speak to your sister or brother?  Not even say 'Hi!' or 'Hello!'?  And when an effort is made a speaking, the individual would turn away without response.  Does this prove neighbor love?  Jesus admonished, 'Love one another,' etc.  Regardless of race or color the great multitude is not divided.

The one  the letter describes  may thing that by attending the meeting of the Kingdom Hall he shows love for God; but he fails to consider that such love of God is incomplete, is merely formal, for there is a failure to love him by  keeping his commandment to love our neighbor as oneself.  We should support meetings, not just by attendance, but by taking part  in them where there is such an opportunity.  After the meeting, mingle  with those in the hall, giving attention   to those who appear to be overlooked.  Thus you will get extra happiness out attending the meeting, through giving to others while there.  Try not to be latecomers, especially to public talks.  If strangers are there on time it makes  a bad impression if they see many empty seats and see that members  of the congregation are late at attending.  Empty seats may also be a loud testimony to them that the congregation members do not attend their own meetings.  If obliged to go out alone in the field service, do so. But if possible, join in group service. Build up others  who then become your companions, that they may develop greater fitness for preaching from door to door and from store to store.  Let the weak  absorb strength and warmth of zeal from you the stronger ones.  Give and get more happiness. - 1 KINGS 1:1-4.

Next time: True Love Is Practical - IN MINDl, TOO

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True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH"

 This almost proved his undoing.  He was almost overcome with the fumes of his lamb, and, on the failure of radio messages from him, a rescue party was sent out from the base of operations, and it located his snow-covered hut, dug through the snow and brought him out alive.  In the nick of time.  No  ess so it is dangerous for Christians to go into isolation voluntarily and into aloneness, tiring becoming bored at the association of brothers and preferring aloneness or the society of animal or, worse still, the society of this wor;ld.  Such aloneness may indeed leas to madness, a madness in a spiritual way, for it cuts us off from the theocratic organization through which Jehovah's food, direction and protection come, and so it leads us to destruction.  

In the world it may be true that close association and familarity breed contempt. But the world does not have Jehovah's spirit.  We of this New World society do. Its fruitage is love in a true way.  If we really love the whole association of brothers we shall find ourselves  unable to isolate themselves from  them.  Love always seeks the object of its affection, it cannot stay alone. If a young man hasa consuming fondness for a young maid, then you just try to keep him away from her. Thatm, says the wise man, was one of four  things too wonderful for him to understand: "the way of a man with a maiden." (Proverbs 30:19, AS)   Somust we be toward our brothers.  Of our own choice we cannot keep away from them, and not just because God commands that we do not forsake meeting with them.  We must mix with them, and must do so with positive ideas, to do good to othersm, to be profitable, and not just to be benefited  personally,being only on the receiving end.  Missionaries that live in the same missionary home or thsoe who work in the same group shouls grow in appreciation  of one another, put up with one another at times when it is a bit trialsome, and be a strength to one another, since two in co-operation are better than one.  (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) Missionaries need one another in the field activity.  They should try to safeguard one another from local dangers. All this, which may be a some cost to their own personal feelings, they ought to do in the interest of the worki, to build up a local congregation of native witnesses of Jehovah.

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH" -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH

 It is simple to quote scriptures about love and discourse about it before an audience, but practicing it when it costs something to the flesh and its possessions is another thing.  It is a surer test of the trueness of the love voiced. Sometimes it may call for us to give forth a little strength to do something for others  rather than to be waited on all the time. It will not allow us to be supercillious, putting on airs and, because of our position or education or material goods, expecting to be waited on without at least offering some help in return.  When it comes to doing something for oters, we should try to be first in rendering service.  "In brotherly love have tender affection for one another.  In showing honor to one another take the lead." (Romans 12:10, NW)  Jesus did that.  It was no idle word when he said: "Whoever wants to be become great among you must be your minister, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave.  Just the Son of Man came, not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give his soul as a ransom in exchange for many." (Matthew 20:26-28, NW) Trying to take the lead in doing honor to one another as servants of God will keep us from becoming  a dead burden, so that people tire of having  us around as guests over a period of time. We should try to relieve people of their burdens so as to free them and allow them more time for spiritual matters that they as well need.

Sometimes brothers may a burden to you, not in a financial way or a physical way, but by their conduct, their weaknesses and Christian immaturity.  But love should be equak too this.  "Have love for the whole association of brothers." (1 Peter 2:17, NW) That means not just praying for all the brothers thoughout the earth and trying to aid them in some trouble sector.  It means putting up with the brothers in our very own congregation in spite of their slips and failigns, and not getting rid of it and losing patience.  Our close, regular association should not breed contempt because we get to know  our associates like a book that has been read and reread. In an Antarctic exploration of 1939 the commader of the expedition during the long winter night.  Why?  Well, said he, two men might be best of friends, yet put them together in close quartersm force them to sit opposite each other and look each other in the face a long time and finally they will tire of each other, get  disgusted, feel burdened with each other and at least be unable to bear the sight and presence of each other. So let me occupy the observation post alone!

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH"

From  the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH"

 What the apostle Paul means when sayig, "Let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth," is that we must not love in word and with the tongue only, especially when it is the time for deeds, for action, to put into effect what we say in word and with the tongue.  (1 John 3:18, NW) That is the conclusion  we draw from the verse (17) immediately preceding the above and which reads:  "Whoever has this world's means for supporting life and beholds his brother having need and yet shuts the door of his tender compassions upon him, in what way doed the love of God remain in him?"  (1 John 3:17, NW)  What he may say in word or with the tongue will not hide the fact that he has fallens short in love of God as well as love of one of his nearest neighbors, his Christian brother.

This reminds us of Jame's illustration of what a living faith is:  "Of what benefit is it, my brothers , if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works?  That faith cannot save in, can it?  If a brother or sister is in a naked state and lacking te food sufficient for the day yet a certain one of you says to the, 'Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,' but you do not give them the necessities for their body, of what benefit is it?  Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself." (James 2:14-17, NW)  That illustration applies just as well as love.  Live lovemust have works. To be the true thing it ust evidenced, not by just words of the tongue when such are cheap and cost us no more than a wag in the mouth, but by works, by unselfish deeds, by giving at cost to ourselces and without calculating on some return.

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "IN DEED AND TRUTH"

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True Love Is Practical -"NEITHER IIN WORD NOT WITH THE TONGUE"

 Certainly, then, we are to love in word and with the tongue.  Now in this time of judgment of hte nations is the the seasib if akk seasons when  we should use word and tongue in a right wat abd when withholding proper words would be disobedience.  Is not now the t ime when God commands us to preach the good news of the Kingdom in all the inhabited earth for the purpose of a witness to all the nations?  Jesus Christ says Yes. (Matthew 24:14, NW) Is this not the season to give faithful counsel to those in peril of being destroyed in this judgment day and at Armageddon?  Yes.  How much good we should fail to do by keeping back a word in season and fitly spoken it   when our tongues have the power to utter it!"  A word in due season, how good is it!" "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a network of silver." (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11, AS)  if we must give reproof in season, then to be fitly spoken it must be given in love.  A failure to reproof in season, may show a lack of love  in using word and tongue. (Proverbs 6:23) "He that spareth his rod hateth his son; but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."  For whome Jehovah loves he disciplines." PROVERBS 13:24, AS; HEBREW 12:6, NS; PROVERBS 3:12; 27:5. 

Members of the congregation must speak God's Word to one another to build them up spiritually to comfort them and to urge them onward in the right course.  Instructing us on how to use the word tongue aright is the advice.  "Your beloved ones, by building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying with holy spirit, keep yourselves in God's love." Also, "Comfort one another with these words ." (Jude 20, 21, NW;  1 Thessalonians 4:18) Speakers appointed to do so should preach the Word to all the inhaibitants of the land.  Not only should love be shown by speaking at all but love should be shown by he care we use  as to our words and forms of expression and illustrations:  "Let your utterace be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one." (Colossians 4:6, NW)  The tongue must be used, not as a fire set aflame by Gehenna to cause our hearers everlasting destruction in that symbolic  lake of fire and sulfur, but as the "tongue of the wise,"   which imparts healthy mentally and spiritually to the hearers. (Proverbs  12:18; James 3:508, NW)  Let our tongues be the medium of the words of life; let the  printed page, the printed sermons, we hand out to be words of life, expressed in Bible language and tending to salvation. There is no arguing about it: We must love in word and with the tongue, and we must do that toward God as well as well as our neighbor.

Next time:  True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE" 

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD OR WITH THE TONGUE"

 Paul, telling how he used tact, says: "The rest of the Jews  also joined him  in putting on this pretense, so that even Barnabas was led along with them in their pretense. But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Cephas before them all: 'If you though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?" (Galatians 2:11-14, NW) Peter got the point but was not hurt.

The Proverbs sagely says:  "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles." (Proverbs 21:23, AS)  That includes keeping the mouth and the tongue from gossiping about others, expecially backbiting and make adverse criticism about private, personal affairs of others, oftentimes judging others by one's own standards of measurement and not by the best interpretation of God's Word. Some, because the battle of Armageddon is so near, might lift their eyebrows and hands in a suge of horror at other brothers an sisters' getting married these days or at some married sister's getting pregnant.  But is such openly displayed, openly voiced horror based upon the right view and understanding of the Scriptures concerning these last days with Armageddon impending? No.  Generally the gossiper, the backbiter, hasty critic has what he said swing around back at him, and then there is trouble for him, trouble explaining , trouble in grief at seeing the harm he has done to those who have become offended at God's truth and organization. There is a practical way of avoiding such troubles:  Keep your mouth and your tongue and pen. 

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE" 

From the jw.org publications 

True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE"

 In another case one of the servants of a congregation might talk at a serious meeting, Thursday or Friday of the week.  He gets into field service arrangements for the coming week. He proposes a certain type of field service for a certain open evening.  "Now, how many in the congregation will take  part in this activity that night?  Kindly raise the hand." Up go four hands among an audience of over fifty.  Thinking to shame the majority of them into a larger participation in the activity, the servang might  say:  "So only four  are supporting the organization, are they?  Such a  comment would be injudicious.  it would be certain to stir up resentment because of its inconsiderateness.  Support of the organization in its activity is not gauged by special activity suddenly brought before the congregation  that night. What will the others  besides the handraisers be doing the rest of the week in the way of regular field activities.  That must be kept in mind. So the wiser comment would be:  "Well, now. we are glad that four can volunteer right off.  If there are any others  who find later on that the  can arrange to join the four in this activity this particular night. I shall be very glad to hear from them. And let the rest of us keep on faithfully  at our regular activities this coming week." This commebt would avoid our stumbling in word and would cut and hurt no listeners but would encourage all.

There are proper ways of shaming people with a view to their taking the right course.(2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15; Titus 2:8; 1 Peter 3:16) But never be caustic.  Consider, too, the years of the individual in the truth or in physical age.  "Do not severely criticize an older man.  To the contrary, entreat him as a father, younger  men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters with all chasteness." (1 Timolthy 5:1, 2, NW) You may think an individual who is older in years or in the truth is slackening or not up to standard.  Do not twit him by comparing hi to his face with an odious thing or an odious class, thinking you are correcting him or reminding him to his face of his shortcomings.  By such remarks you may do injustice and are likely to cause deep hurt painful offendedness.  Youthful bustle does not always mean tha tmuch is being accomplished, nor does an aged, slowed -up pace mean that little is being accomplished where there  is a patient, steadfast plodding along wiht regularity.  So do not be severe in criticism or comparison.  If comment you feel you must make, try tact.  Note how tactfully Paul handled Peter (older in the truth) for his condut that did not harmonize  with his enlightened faith but bordered upon hypocrisy  through fear of the circumcized Jews.

Next time: True Love Is Practical  -"NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE"

From the jw.org publications 

 

True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH TONGUE"

 But while avoiding hypocrisy in word and with the tongue we should try to avoid needlessly hurting and offending others in word and with the tonue by our very frankness.   For example, a congregation invites an outside speaker to give a public talk. When he arrives to keep his appointmet, the congregation servant or chairman learns he has his talk written out and will read it.  In the face of this the servant or chairman could say:  "A written talk! Why, the public here do not wanty to hear a talk read.  They want to hear a talk given  ext emporaneously." Or, he could say: "I am confident  you spent much time in composimg that talk and it will be  a good one.  We look to you to give it your best reading and to make the manuscript just live to us by the fine expression you put into it." 

Under the circumstances the first comment would tend to discourage the public reader before ever he started reading it, taking out the fire and enthusiasm tha the had been feeling at the very thought of reading his carefully prepared paper.  It would thus result in his reading it in a timid, apologetic, inferior uninspired way.  The second comment would show that the preparation the brother had made in composing the paper and fitting himself to deliver it was appreciated and this would encourage him to  his very best presentation so the the audience would hardly think it was reading and would get the fullest benefit out of it and enjoy it hugely. After the reading was all over, the servant or chairman could express his own genuine appreciation and offer the suggestion: "Brother we should also like to hearyou give a public talk extemporaneously  some time.  It takes a bit more courage to do it,but by getting  filled to overflowing with your material and getting very familiar with it we know you can do it.  We shall be glad to have you try it on us."  The second type of comment is therefore the practical, considerate one.

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR  WITH THE TONGUE"

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE"

 Are we not to love in word and in tongue?  No; that is to say, not in a hypocritical way, in a way that belies what we say.  There is so much hypocritial love expressed in word and with the tongue.  Thsoe who are moved to make such expressions  usually hava  secret selfih purpose and seek some advantage, even if it means breaking up the unity of a congregation. The apostle Paul warns:  "By smooth talk and complimentary speech they seduce the hearts of guileless ones." (Romas 16:18, NW) That is the way those who have left the theocratic organization  usually approach those who are holding fast to it.  Treacherous  are their words!  In Ahithopel, who forsook Jehovah's anointed king to seeks selfish advantage with the rebel absalom, King David has an experience with such words. Respecting this unfaithful couselor David wrote: "But   it was thou, a man mine equal, my companion, and my familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together; we walked in the house of God with the throng. His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war:  his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." (Psalm 55:13, 14, 21, AS) Unless we see behind a person's mask, his pretending to love us by his words disarm us of our fear of him and we are apt to be thrown off guard to the hypocritical, suave speech.  For our spiritual safety we need to become trained to see through hypocrisy and guard ourselves against being misled. (Mark 12:15-17; Luke 20:20-25)  And even as we do not want to be misled ourselves we do not want to mislead others with hypocritical expressions in word or with the tongue. 

The love we must cultivatemust be "love out of a clean heart and out of a good conscience and out of faith without hypocrisy." (1 Timothy  1:5, NW)  The command is: "Let your love be without hypocrisy." We should not corrupt the purityo f our brotherly affection:  "Now that you have  purified your souls by your obedience to ther truth and unhypocritical brotherly love as the result, love one another intensely from the heart." (Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22, NW)  By purity and sincerity in this regard we can recommend ourselves to others, so that they have no fear of evil motives on our part.  Paul did that. He wrote: "But in every way we recommend ourselves as God's ministers, . . . by kindness, by holy spirit, by love free from  hypocrisy, by truthful speech." (1 Corinthians 6:4, 6, 7, NW)  Hypocritical love makes its possessor, not something, but ntohing. It is not the greatest quality when ranked with faith and hope.  It is the worst thing, because it is a  counterfeit of the greatest thing.  Quite fittingly the hypocrites come into the judgment of Gehenna.   The "evil slave" class who abuse their brothers are cast out by the Lord, to have their part with the hypocrites. - MATTHEW 24:48-51; 23:3,29, 33; NW; 1 CORINTHIANS 13:2, 13. 

Next time:  True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH TONGUE" 

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical

  Such divine instructions we sorely need, for they are not part of the religions of this world, and through heredity we tend to be selfish, greedy, inconsiderate, envious, jealous, hateful, unforgiving, vengeful, and the great Hater tries to make us more so.  "God is love."  Satan the Devil is hate.  He tries  to make us in his  image as his children, jst as he made Caub,  The children of God and the children of the Devil are evident by this fact:  Everyone who does not  practice righteousness does not originate with God, neither does he who does not love his brother.  For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should have love for one anoter, not like Cain, who originated with the wicked one and slaughtered his brother. And for the sake of what did he slaughter him?  Because ghis own works were wickedc,  but those of his brother were righteous." - 1 John 3:10-12, NW. 

Cain, though Abel's own brother and hence a close neighbor of his, came to hate him.  In this world it is not unusual for a person not to have the best of feelign toward his neighbor, even one in the same family or congregation.  Favortism for some neighbors and arrogant contempt for others can exist or crop up through selfishness.  This is contrary  to one of the two greatest laws.  Recommending  to lax Christians to quit violating it through favortism, the disciple James  wrote: "If, now,  you practice carrying out the kingly law according to the Scriptures,  'You ust love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing quite well." (James 2:1-8, NW)  This means  loving poor neigbbors  as  yourself, as well as rich ones, without any favoritism by you in the hop[e of selfish gain or in the thought that rich ones deserve better treatment.  We do not love ourselves less than the rich because  we may be poor.  The law to love neighbor as oneself is "kingly."  What, then,  is the greatest law, the law to love God with all we are and have?  Upon these all-embracing commands the whole Bible hangs.  (Matthew 22:35-40; Romans 13:8; Galatians 5:14)  The rest of the Bible shows how we must put love of God and love of neighbor into action.  "Let all of your affairs take place with love." (1 Corinthians 16:14, NW)  Showing partialituy that discriminates unneighborly against the poor is not obedienced to the kingly law.  It does not lead to the best results, hence is not practical.

God wants our love of him to be, not something sentimenta;l and formal. but something practical that expresses itself towards its people, his children, our Christian brothers.  "If anyone makes the statement, 'I love God,' and yet is hating his brother, he is a liar.  For he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot be loving God, whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from him, that the one who loves God should be loving his brother also." (1 John 4:20, 21, NW)  Partiality against the poor brothers is not hin harmony  with this commandment. So we cannot carry out  te greatest of the commandments, to love God wiht all  we are and have, and at the same time be violating the second greatest-commandment, the kingly one of neighbor love.😊

Next time: True Love Is Practical - "NEITHER IN WORD NOR WITH THE TONGUE

From the jw.org publications

True Love Is Practical

 The noblest expression of this quality is described a John 3:16, 17 (NW) by Jesus in these words: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone who exercised faith in him might not be destroyed  but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that thw world through him might be saved."  To deny the gift and sacrifice of God's only-begotten Son is to decy God, to deny the fullness of his love, to deny hgis capibility of going to such depth of love.  The gift of his Son for sacrifice  was not a barbbarism but was an expression  htn which there could be o greater unselfish affection.  Parents that give up their sons to carnal war and dangers o fbeing in it  do not think themselves barbaric for having parted with their sons  if killed in battle.  Smothering their grief they say with patrioticpride that their sons paid  the supreme sacrifice for their country. What, then, of God?  He saw the need of a human sacrifice for the sake of men who would like to live forever in a new world, but God did not force  his Son  into such a sacrifice.  God's Son willingly laid down his life, and  that without shooting  anybody, without threatening anybody's life, and that without shooting  or without harming anybody, but only meaning to do mankind good.  His enemies, not his Father, were the barbaric ones. In spite of his innocence they maliciously had him killed.

Did  God turn against all mankind because representative members of it did this barbaric deed?  No.  He accepted the willing sacrifice of his Son's life, for it to be used in behalf of those  who would appreciate its value and what it mean on the part of God and his Son. Thus his supreme love in giving his Son was not in vain.  It was most practical. The faithful sacrifice  was used in laying the foundation for a clean, upright new world.  Denying God's sacrifice of his Son as if it were a barbarism  means not knowing God, really not knowing him, for God is love.  That  means he is permeated through and through with it and expresses it perfectly.  "He that does not love  has not come to know God, because God is love. By this the love of God was made manifest in our case because God sent forth his only-begotten Son  into the world that we might gain life through him.  The love is in this respect, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent forth his Son as a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins." - 1 JOHN 4:8-10, NW.

Since God went to such lengths to express this quality toward uis, it is only reasonable tha the commands  us to express it to him and to one another.  In all the religions of this world, what one is there whose God commands  us to love him in immitation of him?  In the third book of the Bible, at Leviticus 19:18, (NW) , we read:  "You must not take vengeance nor have a grudge against the sons of your people; and you must love your fellow as yourself.  I am  Jehovah." Not just brothers but strangers also must receive this consideration, for God's command to his people was "Executing judgment for the fatherless boy and the widow and loving the temporary resident so as to give him bread and clothing, you too, must love the temporary  resident, for you became temporary residents in the land of Egypt."  (Deuteronomy 10:18, 19, NW)  God wants even enemies to be shown that rendering evil for evil is not the best method, for he commands: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; for thou will heap coals of fire upon his head, and Jehovah will reward thee."  (Proverbs 25:21, 22, AS)  Even if the enemy thus treated did not feel hot remorse in his heart and become your friend, yet Jehovah would reward you for obeying his command. 

Next time: True Love Is Practical 

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