How Will You Respond to the Ransom? - SHEEP WHO HAVE STRAYED -Conclusion

 The Brochure Return to Jehovah contains these encouraging words: "Be assured that Jehovah will be there for you as you return to him. He will help you deal with anxiety, to resolve hurt feelings, and to find the peace of mind and heart that comes from having a clean conscience. Then you may once again feel moved to serve Jehovah along with fellow worshippers." Remember, too, that the elders are eager to help you. They can prove to be "like a hiding place from the wind, a place of concealment from the rainstorm."  (Isaiah 32:2) In appreciation for the ransom, ask yourself, what steps can I take now to "set matters straight" with Jehovah? (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Peter 2:25) For example, can you attend a meeting at the Kingdom Hall? Can you reach out to one of the elders and ask for spiritual assistance, which might include a regular Bible study for a time? You can be sure that Jehovah will bless your prayerful efforts to show appreciation for the ransom of his Son. 

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

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How Will You Respond to the Ransom? -SHEEP WHO HAVE STRAYED

 Some Christians have stopped associating with the congregation after a period of months or even after years of faithful service? Why? Some are overwhelmed by the "anxieties of life." (Luke 21:34) Others have been stumbled by the words or the actions of a fellow believer.  (James 3:2) Still others got involved in serious wrongdoing and are reluctant to ask for help. Whatever the cause, what can you do if you have strayed from the flock? What can the loving provision of the ransom compel you to do? 

Reflect on how Jehovah feels about those who have strayed. He does not reject them. Instead, he searches for lost sheep. He feeds them and helps them to return to him. (Read Ezekiel 34:11, 12, 16.) Could Jehovah be doing the same for you?  The fact that you are considering this material indicates that your heart is inclined toward righteousness. Just as Jehovah saw your heart condition and drew you into the truth, might he now be drawing you back? 

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? - SHEEP WHO HAVE STRAYED - Conclusion

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How Will You Respond the Ransom? -BAPTIZED CHRISTIANS - Concusion

 Paul had tendencies that at times put a damper on his desire to preach. Yet, he was determined to persevere in his ministry despite how he felt at that moment. You can have a similar resolve. Be determined to do the right thing even if you lack motivation. So pray for "the desire and the power to act." (Philippians 2:13) Stay active in your spiritual routine. Be confident that in time your actions will affect your feelings and you will rekindle the love that is still in your heart.

From time to time, we do well to examine ourselves in harmony with the direction found in 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are." Periodically, we ask ourselves such questions as: 'Am I putting Kingdom interests first in my life?' (Matthew 6:33) 'Does my choice of entertainment show that what I hate is bad?'  (Psalm 97:10) 'Do I promote peace and unity among fellow believers?' (Ephesians 4:2, 3) The Memorial-the occasion when especially reflect on Jehovah's provision of the ransom-gives us opportunity to examine ourselve3s and make sure that we are living for Christ and not for ourselves.

Next time: How Will You Respond to the Ransom? - SHEEP WHO HAVE STRAYED

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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? 

From the jw.org publications