How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS -Continue

 The apostle Paul told Timothy to "ponder over" and "be absorbed in" his own Christian activities. (Read 1 Timothy 4:13, 15.) In harmony with that counsel, try to think of ways that you can make your worship more meaningful so that you can remain "aglow with the spirit." (Romans 12:11; see study note on "Be aglow with the spirit.") For example, perhaps you should improve your attention at meetings by preparing for them more thoroughly. Or you may be able to make your personal study sessions more rewarding by creating periods of solitude that will allow you to meditate on what you studied. Just as you would stoke a fire to keep it burning or you can apply yourself in these areas in order to rekindle your appreciation for all that Jehovah has provided, including the ransom. Also, why not use the weeks leading up to the Memorial to meditate on the unique blessings we enjoy as Jehovah's Witnesses? No doubt that will help you build appreciation for the ransom-the basis for your relationship with Jehovah. 

If for a time you do not feel as zealous in true worship as you would like to be, do not be discouraged or conclude that you have lost God's spirit. Recall what the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians about his ministry: "Even if I do it against my will, I will have a stewardship entrusted to me." (1 Corinthians 9:17) What did  he mean? 

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS -Conclusion

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How Will You Respond to the Ransom? - BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS

 If you are a baptized Christian, you already demonstrated faith in the ransom in a number of ways. For example, you took steps to be close to Jehovah and to conform to his standards. You obeyed Jesus' command to make disciples by sharing your faith with others. You dedicated yourself to Jehovah when you got baptized. Have you faced opposition as a result of your stand for true worship? (2 Timothy 3:12) Your faithful endurance demonstrates your love for Jehovah and your appreciation for the ransom that he provided through his Son. - HEBREWS 12:2, 3.

As Baptized Christians, we need to be aware of a danger/ Over time, we could take the ransom for granted. How might that happen? Consider the first-century Christians in Ephesus. The resurrected Jesus commended theme for their endurance. However, he told them: "I hold this against you, that you have left the love you had at first." (Revelation 2:3, 4) As Jesus' words indicate, a Christian's worship could gradually lapse into a mechanical routine. Such a person could be praying, going to meetings, and participating in the ministry but is merely going through the motions. He or she is no longer motivated by love. What can you do if you feel that your love for Jehovah is not as strong as it once was? 

Next time: How Will You Respond the Ransom? - BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS - Continue

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How Will You Respond to the Ransom? - Bible Students -Conclusion

 What if you find it difficult to accept a Bible teaching that you recently learned? Do research on that teaching, and pray to Jehovah for a clearer understanding of it. (Psalm 86:11) If you still find it difficult to understand the teaching, set aside the matter for now-but do not stop studying the Bible. What if you find it difficult to abandon a practice that the Bible condemns? Remember that Jehovah never asks the impossible of imperfect humans. You can live by his standards. (Read Deuteronomy 30:11-14.) And Jehovah promises to help you. (Isaiah 41:10, 13; 1 Corinthians 10:13) So don't give up. Rather than dwell on the challenge you are facing, focus on your appreciation for all that Jehovah has provided-including the ransom arrangement. As your love for Jehovah grows, you will find that "his commandments are not burdensome." - 1 JOHN 5:3. 

What about you young ones who are being raised in the truth? You too are Bible students. In fact, you are your parent's most important Bible students.  The Bible says: "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." (James 4:8; 1 Chronicles 28:9) When you take the initiative to draw close to Jehovah, he responds by drawing close to you as just being part of a group. He draws each individual-including each individual who is being raised in the truth. What has made it possible for you to have a personal relationship with Jehovah? The ransom-something that you should never take for granted. (Romans 5:1, 2) So before you attend this year's Memorial, why not reflect on Jesus' death means for you? Let that thought compel you to work toward your spiritual goal-whatever it might be-to show that you appreciate the ransom that Jehovah provided through his Son.

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -Baptized Christians 

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How Will You Respond the Ransom? - BIBLE STUDENTS

 If you are studying the Bible, consider this: Your response to the good news indicates that you are among those whom Jehovah is drawing into a relationship with him. (John 6:44; Acts 13:48) "Jehovah is the examiner of hearts." This means that he notices your efforts to learn about him, and he rejoices to see your progress as you make changes to conform to his standards. (Proverbs 17:3; 27:11) The ransom makes it possible for you to have a close friendship with Jehovah. (Romans 5:10, 11) Never that that for granted.  

As a Bible student, how can you respond appreciatively to the ransom? One way is to follow the apostle Paul's counsel to the Philippians: "To the extent we have made progress, let go on walking orderly in this same course." (Philippians 3:16) Another Bible version renders this verse: "We must keep going in the direction that we are now headed." In harmony with that counsel, do not let anything hinder your progress on the road to life. - MATTHEW 7:14; LUKE 9:62. 

Next time: How Will You Respond the Ransom? - BIBLE STUDENTS - Conclusion

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How Will You Respond to the Ransom?

 In what way will the loving provision of the ransom compel you? Your answer might differ from that of another person. To illustrate why, imagine that three people are about to travel to the same destination, but each person is starting from a different city. The routes they take will differ. In a similar way, the "route" you take to your destination or goal-that is, to show appreciation for the ransom-depends on where you stand right now in your relationship with Jehovah. What that in mind, this article will address three groups of people: (1) Bible students, (2) baptized Christians, and (3) sheep who have strayed from the flock. 

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -Bible Students 

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How Will You Respond to the Ransom?

 "The love the Christ has compels us." - 2 CORINTHIANS 5:14. 

IF YOU had been rescued from the rubble of a collapsed building, would you feel indebted to the person who saved your life? Even if others were saved too, you want likely want to express your appreciation personally, to show that you do not take your rescue for granted. 

As the preceding article explained, we cannot rescue ourselves from the effects of inherited sin. However, the ransom sacrifice of Jesus can rescue us by providing (1) forgiveness of sins we commit, (2) hope of being completely healed from our sinful condition, and (3) reconciliation with God.  As a result, we have the prospect of living forever in Jehovah's new world. Truly, the ransom highlights Jesus' love for people-a love that he had long before he was born as a perfect human. (Proverbs 8:30, 31) The apostle Paul wrote that "love of Christ has compels us." (Read 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15.) This means that Jesus' love should move us to respond in some way, to show that we do not take his ransom sacrifice for granted.

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? 

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Why We Need the Ransom -THE RANSOM SHOWS JEHOVAH'S MERCY

 The ransom highlights the fact that Jehovah is "rich in mercy." He "made us alive .  . . when were dead in trespasses." (Read Ephesians 2:4, 5.) Those who are "rightly disposed for everlasting life" cry out for help, realizing that they are trapped by the rubble of inherited sin and need to be rescued. (Acts 13:48) Jehovah responds to their calls for help by means of the Kingdom message, so that they might come to know him and his Son, Jesus. (John 17:3) If Satan thought that the fall of Adam and Eve had thwarted God's purpose, he was mistaken. 

While we meditate on the benefits that the ransom makes possible for us, we need to keep the bigger issue in mind. Rather than view the ransom as provision solely for out benefit, we should remember that it is the means Jehovah uses to answer the challenge Satan raised in the garden of Eden.  (Genesis 3:1-5, 15) By means of the ransom, Jehovah sanctifies his name, clearing it of all reproach. He also saves us  from sin and death, demonstrating that he is a God of love. And in his undeserved kindness, Jehovah allows-despite our sinful condition-to have a share in answering God's challenge. (Proverbs 27:11) How can you show your appreciation for the ransom? We will answer that question in the following article. 

Next time: How Will You Respond the Ransom? 

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Why We Need the Ransom - THE RANSOM PROVIDES RECONCILIATION - Conclusion

 Think about what reconciliation with God means for you. For example, perhaps you refer to Jehovah as your "Father" as Jesus instructed. (Matthew 6:9) At times, you might even refer to Jehovah as your "Friend." When we use terms like "Father" or "Friend," we should do so with reverence and humility. Why? Because in our sinful state, any closeness we feel to Jehovah is  not due to our own merit. It is only because of the ransom that we can even have a relationship with Jehovah. Through Jesus, Jehovah made it possible to "reconcile to himself all other things by making peace through the blood [Jesus] shed on the torture stake." (Colossians 1:19, 20) That is why we can enjoy a relationship with Jehovah-even now in our imperfect condition. 

Next time: Why We Need the Ransom - THE RANSOM SHOWS JEHOVAH'S MERCY

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Why We Need the Ransom - THE RANSOM PROVIDES RECONCILIATION

 Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, humans have been alienated, or separated from God. The Bible says that mankind as whole has been cut off from the Creator. (Romans 8:7, 8; Colossians 1:21) Why? Because Jehovah's perfect standards do not allow him to condone sin. The Bible says about Jehovah: "Your eyes are too pure to look on what is evil, and you cannot tolerate wickedness." (Habakkuk 1:13) Sin has thus created a breach between God and man. None of us can have relationship with Jehovah unless that breach is healed and we are reconciled with him.  The ransom makes that reconciliation possible.  

The Bible states that Jesus is "a propitiatory sacrifice for our sins." (John 2:2) The Greek word rendered "propitiatory sacrifice" can refer to a means of appeasement." In what way was Jehovah appeased by the ransom? We are not to think about that the death of his Son brought Him some kind of comfort. Rather, the ransom appeased, or satisfied, Jehovah's standards of justice. He now had a basis to restore the relationship between himself and man. (Romans 3:23-26) He could even "credit" righteousness to those who worshipped him faithfully before Christ's death. (Genesis 15:1, 6, ftn.) How? On the basis of the future ransom.  Jehovah was absolutely certain that his Son, Jesus would provide it. (Isaiah 46:10) The ransom opened the way for man to be reconciled with God. 

Next time: Why We Need the Ransom - THE RANSOM PROVIDES RECONCILIATION - Conclusion

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Why We Need the Ransom -THE RANSOM PROVIDES HEALING - Conclusion

 Think about what being rescued from a sinful condition will mean for you. Imagine what it will be like to wake up each morning feeling well, to live each day without being afraid that you or your loved ones will go hungry, get sick, or die. Even now, you can find a measure of peace as you "take firm hold of the hope . . . as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm." (Hebrews 6:18, 19) Just as an anchor can stabilize a boat, your Christian hope can stabilize your faith and help you endure any trials you face now. Indeed, you can have confidence that Jehovah will become "the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him." (Hebrews 11:6) The comfort that you receive now and the hope you for the future are possible only because of the ransom. 

Next time: Why We Need the Ransom - THE RANSOM PROVIDED RECONCILIATION

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