Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

Learning To Love Our Fellow Humans

As Jesus pointed out, in addition to loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, we should love our neighbor as ourselves. In fact, the love of God obligates us to love our fellow humans. The apostle John explained: "Beloved ones, if this is how God loved us, then we are ourselves under obligation to love one another." He further emphasized: "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 4:11, 20, 21.

Today we are living in a world where most people show a me-first attitude, being "lovers of themselves," just as the Bible foretold. (2Timothy 3:2) Therefore, if we want to learn the excelling way of love, we have to put forth serious effort to make our minds over and imitate our loving Creator, rather than follow the selfish ways of people in general. (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 5:1) God is even "kind toward the unthankful and wicked," and he "makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous." since our heavenly Father sets such a magnificent example for us, we should strive to be kind and helpful to all. By doing so, we can prove ourselves 'sons of our loving heavenly Father.' - Luke 6:35; Matthew 5:45.

Sometimes such loving deeds result in helping people become worshipers of the true God. Some years ago a housewife who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses tried to share the Bible message with her neighbor, only to be firmly rebuffed. However, she was not discouraged by the response. Instead, she continued to show kindness and tried to be helpful to the neighbor. One time she helped the neighbor move to a different house. Another time she arranged for someone to accompany the neighbor to the airport to meet the latter's relatives. Later, the neighbor accepted a Bible study and eventually became a zealous Christian despite very severe persecution from her husband. Yes, those expressions of love laid the groundwork for everlasting blessings.

If we are honest about it, we will admit that God's love for us is not because we have an abundance of admirable qualities. On the contrary, he loves us even though we have many faults and shortcomings. That being so, we should likewise learn to love our fellow humans despite their many failings. If we train ourselves to discern and appreciate the finer qualities of others rather than looking for their faults, we will find it much easier to feel love toward them. What we feel toward them may even go beyond the love governed by principle and include the warm affection and fondness that exists between close friends.

Next time: Letting Your Love Grow

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

We Must Learn to Love God

Jehovah God knows that in spite of everything, mankind is still capable of showing love. That is why he requires all who want to please him to manifest love to the best of their ability. This requirement was made clear by God's Son, Jesus Christ, when he was asked to name the greatest commandment in the Law given to Israel. He said: " 'You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment." Then he added: "The second, like it, is this, 'You must love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandment the whole Law hangs." -Matthew 22:37-40.

Many people feel, however, that it is very difficult to love someone whom they cannot see, and we humans cannot see Jehovah God because he is a Spirit. (John 4:24) Still, we are affected every day by what God does, as we all depend on the many good things he created for our benefit. The apostle Paul pointed out this face when he said: "[God] did not leave himself without witness in that he did good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts to the full with food and good cheer." -Acts 14:17.

Even though everyone benefits from the Creator's provisions in one way or another, comparatively few are grateful to him or are moved to give thanks to him. Thus, we need to take stock of all the good things that God has done for us and to meditate on all the qualities that permeate all that he does. Doing so should enable us to discern that awe-inspiring wisdom and power of our Grand Creator. (Isaiah 45:18) Above all, it is , in that he not only granted us life but also made it possible for us to enjoy the many pleasures of living.

For example, think of the endless variety of beautiful flowers that God created on earth. How wonderful for us that he also endowed us with the ability to see and to derive great pleasure from these things of beauty! Similarly, God provided all sorts of nourishing food for our sustenance. How thoughtful of him that he also created in us the sense of taste so that we can experience such enjoyment from eating! Are these not eloquent proofs that God truly loves us and has our best interests in mind? -Psalm 145:16, 17; Isaiah 42:5, 8.

Besides revealing himself to us through the "book of nature," the Creator, through his Word, the Bible, shows us what kind of God he is. This is because in the Bible are recorded many of the loving things Jehovah God did in the past and to the numerous blessings he promised to bestow upon mankind in the near future. (Genesis 22:17, 18; Exodus 3:17; psalm 72:6-16; Revelation 21:4, 5) Above all, the Bible reveals to us the greatest expression of God's love toward mankind -giving his only-begotten Son to be our Redeemer so that we can be freed from the bondage of sin and death. (Romans 5:8) Indeed, the more we learn about our loving Creator, the more we are moved to love him from our heart.

Next time: Learning to Love Our Fellow Humans

Watchtower, 1999

Learning the Excelling Way of LOVE

SEEING that there have been wars throughout history, many have come to the conclusion that wars are really inevitable and that it is natural for humans to hate one another. Such views, however, are entirely contrary to the teachings of God's Word, the Bible. The Scriptures declare unequivocally: "He that does not love has not come to know God, because God is love." (1 John 4:8) It is clear that the Creator wants humans to love one another.

The Bible also reveals that man was created in God's image. (Genesis 1:26, 27) This means that mankind is endowed with the capacity to reflect God's qualities, the most prominent of which is love. Since this is so, why have humans failed so miserably in showing love to one another throughout history? Again, the Bible provides insight. It is because the first human pair, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God and fell into sin. As a result, all their offspring inherited sin and imperfection. Romans 3:23 explains: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Our God-given ability to love is marred by our inherited sin and imperfection. Does this mean that humans are incapable of loving one another anymore? What hope is there that we will ever enjoy a peaceful, loving relationship with our fellowman?

Next time: We Must Learn to Love God

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Everlasting Life on a Paradise Earth

On man asked: "How many people will find it worth while living once they don't have to die?" Will life without death be boring? The Bible assures us that it will not. Everything he has made pretty in its time. Even time indefinite he has put in their heart, that mankind may never find out the start to the finish." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Jehovah God's creation is so rich and complex that it will continue to intrigue us, stimulate us, and make us happy as long as we live-even forever.

A man who studied the bird known as' the Siberian Jay called it "an extraordinary enchanting acquaintance" and claimed that observing the bird, the more intriguing he found it. He said that even after 18 years, his study was far from finished. If one species of bird can intrigue, stimulate and keep an intelligent man happy during an 18-year long intense study, just imagine the potential for joy and satisfaction that there must be in studying the entire earthly creation.

Picture all the interesting fields of science that will open up to someone who is not restricted by time. Imagine all the fascinating places there will be to explore and all the interesting people there will be to meet. Try to grasp the endless possibilities to conceive, create, and construct things. There will be no limit to the opportunities for us to develop and make use of our creativity. When we reflect on the abundance of creation, it is obvious that eternity is the only time measure that can do justice to life's possibilities.

The Bible shows that by means of a resurrection, living forever will also be extended to those who are dead. (John 5:28, 29) Many of the mysteries of history might become clear to us when those who experienced them can fill in the details and answer our questions. Think of all the insight on different periods of history that the resurrected ones will supply. -Acts 24:15.

When contemplating that time, you can appreciate that the resurrected Job may want to revise the statement found at Job 14:1. Perhaps he will offer instead: 'Man born of woman, now lives forever and is filled with satisfaction.'

For those putting trust in Jehovah and exercising faith in Jesus, prolonging life beyond the limits of time is not just an elusive dream. It will soon become a reality. Aging and death will cease. This is in line with Psalm 68:20, which says: "To Jehovah the Sovereign Lord belong the ways out from death." Revelation 21:3, 4.

Next time:Learning the Way of LOVE

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

The True Hope

That situation however, was not to be permanent. Romans 8:20 says: "The creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will but through him that subjected it, on the basis of hope." Man's Creator, Jehovah God, subjected humans to death because they sinned against him, but when doing this he also established a basis for hope.

This basis was clearly identified when Jesus Christ came to earth. John 3:16 says: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed bu have everlasting life." How, though, can exercising faith in Jesus Christ save us from death?

If sin is the cause of death, sin has to be removed before death can be abolished. Early in Jesus' ministry as the Christ, John the Baptizer said: "See, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) Jesus Christ was completely without sin. Thus, he was not subject to death, which is the punishment for sin. Nevertheless, he allowed other to put him to death. Why? Because by doing so, he paid the price for our sins. -Matthew 20:28; 1 Peter 3:18.

With that price paid, the possibility of living without ever dying was opened up for all those exercising faith in Jesus. Science may contribute to prolonging our lives to a very limited extent, but exercising faith in Jesus is the real way to everlasting life. Jesus gained such life in heaven, and his faithful apostles and some others will too. Yet, for most of us who exercise faith in Jesus, everlasting life will be on earth, when Jehovah God has restored the earthly Paradise.- Isaiah 25:8; 1 Corinthians 15:48, 49; 2 Corinthians 5:1.

Next time: Everlasting Life on a Paradise Earth

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Where Should We Put Our Trust?

Man has a natural desire to live, not die. Therefore, scientific progress in this domain is readily hailed and associated with high hopes. But so far that is no hard evidence that DHEA, kinetin, melatonin, hGH, or any other substance can actually retard aging in humans. Skeptics fear that manipulating the telomerase in cells will do nothing but create potential cancer cells. And the use of nanotechnology and cryonics is still more science fiction than reality.

Science has contributed to, and may still contribute to, a longer and healthier life for some, but it will never give anybody eternal life. Why not? Simply put, it is because the root cause of aging and death lies beyond the realm of human science..

The Root Cause of Aging and Death

Most scientists agree that aging and death seem somehow programmed into our genes. The question is: When , how and why did they enter into our genetic code, as it were?

The Bible give us the simple answer-even though it does not present it in terms of genetics or DNA. Romans 5:12 reads: "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned."

The first man, Adam, had the prospect of living forever. His body was designed with the necessary faculties to live and enjoy eternal life. Eternal life was conditional though. Adam had to collaborate with and be obedient to the Source of life, his Creator, in order to maintain his life perpetually. -Genesis 2:31; 2:15-17.

Adam chose to disobey the Creator, in effect, Adam claimed that man is better off ruling himself independent of God. Thus he sinned. From that point onward, it was as if his genetic code was altered. Instead of passing on an everlasting life as an inheritance to his offspring, Adam transmitted sin and death. -Genesis 3:16, 19; Romans 6:23.

Next time: The True Hope

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Do Nanotechnology and Cryonics Hold the Answer?

Nanotechnology, the science of engineering at a nanometer is (a billionth of a meter) level, is also inspiring hope. Visionaries in that field claim that computerized machines, far smaller than cells, may in the future be engineered to operate at a molecular level to repair and rejuvenate aging cells, tissues and organs. At an anti-aging conference, one researcher suggested that 21st century physicians might employ nanotechnology to enable man to become physically immortal.

Cryonics is the practice of freezing human bodies in hopes that science will be able to revive the dead cells, thus bringing them back to life again. (someone had been watching too much sci-fi. This is God's territory and it ain't gonna happen, the world will end first, read the Bible people.) The whole body, or just the brain, can be frozen. One man even had a bed sheet frozen. Why a sheet? It belonged to a missing friend and contained some skin cells and a few hairs. He wanted them frozen in order to give his friend the chance of returning to life if science reaches the point of reconstructing people from just a few or even one of their cells.

Next time: Where Should We Put Our Trust?

Watchtower, 1999

How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Hormone Therapy and Genetics -Reason for Hope?

Hormone therapy is one field that inspires hope. Experiments with the hormone know as DHEA seem to slow down the aging process in laboratory animals.

Concerning the plant hormone kinetin, the Swedish daily Afonbladet quoted Dr. Suresh Rattan, a professor at Aarhus University, Denmark, as saying: "Tests in our laboratory show that human skin cells cultivated in kinetin do not change in the normal age-related way. They stay young throughout their lives." Insects treated with the harmone are said to live from 30 to 45 percent longer than normal.

Melatonin treatments are said to have the extended life span of a mice by as much as 25 percent. Moreover, the mice appeared younger, healthier and more vigorous.

Advocates of human growth hormone (hgH) claim that it contributes to glowing skin, increased muscle mass, elevated sex drive, a lighter mood, sharper mental acuity, and the metabolism of a teenager (This again is the work of Satan).

Many look also to genetics. Scientists have reckoned that by manipulating genes, they can control the life span of a nematode, or roundworm. In fact, they have succeeded in keeping some of them alive for six times their normal life span. This has raised hopes of finding and manipulating similar genes in humans. Time magazine quoted Dr. Siegfried Hekimi of McGill University, Montreal, as saying: "If we find all of the human clock genes, we can perhaps slow them down just a little (again with the help of Satan), so we can extend life."

Biologists have long known that an end section of chromosomes, the so-called telomere,is shortened each time the cell produces. When the telomere loses about 20 percent of its length, the cell's ability to reproduce is shut off and it dies. A particular enzyme called telomerase can restore the telomere to full length , thus allowing the cell to keep dividing. In most cells this enzyme is repressed and inactive, but active telomerase has been successfully inserted into certain cells, making them grow and divide far beyond the normal number of times.

According to researchers, this opens up sensational possibilities in fighting age-related diseases. What about replacing the body's stem cells (cells that provide for the regeneration of body tissue) with stem cells (from unborn fetuses) that have been "immortalized" with active telomerase? Dr. William A. Haseltine says: "This is a clearly articulated vision of human immorality ( Only God can give us immorality) that will be introduced slowly over the next 50 years." (There will be something wrong with this process in the end,because only God has this kind of power, not man, we can't even rule ourselves, much less give humans immortality) -The New York Times.

Next time: Do Nanotechnology and Cryonics Hold the Answer?

Watchtower, 1999

Our Quest for a LONGER LIFE

How Can the Quest for a Longer Life SUCCEED?

SOME cherish the hope that the new millennium will see a breakthrough in man's efforts to prolong life. Dr. Ronald Klatz is one of them. He is president of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, an organization of physicians and scientists dedicated to extending the human life span. He and his colleagues plan to live a very long time. "I'm looking at a life span of 130 years, at a minimum,: says Dr. Klatz. "We believe that aging is not inevitable. Technology exists now which can slow, stop and perhaps even reverse significantly the physical deterioration and disease which are currently call natural aging." Dr. Klatz himself takes about 60 pills each day in his quest to prolong life.

Note: Anyone that thinks they can live longer than what is prophesied for them are not very bright. If, in fact, they can live any longer than they can look younger forever are only deluding themselves or have Satan on their side helping them. The Bible itself says that we are to grow old and die-our hairs are numbered. Adam and Eve started this and it must be fulfilled according to Jehovah's Words in the Bible. Do not be fooled by thinking that you will live forever with man's inventions. It is Satan who is doing this as a way to get people away from worshiping Jehovah. If anyone can't see that, that is a crying shame.

Next time: Hormone Therapy and Genetics -Reasons for Hope?

Watchtower, 1999

Our Quest for a LONGER LIFE

EVEN today few would contradict this reflection on the brevity of life, though it was written some 3,500 years ago. People have always found it unsatisfactory to taste the prime of life briefly and then to grow old and die. Therefore, methods to prolong life have proliferated throughout history.

In Job's time Egyptians ate the testicles of animals in a vain attempt to regain their youth. One of the prime objectives of medieval alchemy was to product an elixir that could lead to longer life. Many alchemists believed that artificially produced gold would give immortal life and that eating from golden plates would prolong life. Ancient Chinese Taoists reckoned that they could alter the body's chemistry to using such techniques as meditation, breathing exercises, and diet and thus obtain immorality.

The Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon is know for his insatiable search for the fountain of youth. An 18th century doctor recommended in his book Hermippus Redivivus that young virgins be kept in a small room in springtime and their exhalations collected in bottles and used as a life-extending potion. Needless to say, none of these methods had any success.

Today, some 3,500 years after Moses recorded Job's statement, man has walked on the moon, invented cars and computers and investigated the atom and the cell. Yet, despite all such technological advances, we are still "short-lived and glutted with agitation." It is true that in developed countries the life expectancy had increased dramatically over the last century. But this is mainly the result of improved health care, more efficient hygienic measures, and better nutrition. For example, from the mid 19-century to the beginning of the 1990's , the average life span in Sweden rose from 450 to 75 years for men and from 44 to 80 years for women. But does this mean that man's urge to live longer has been satisfied?

No, because even though in some countries more people live to see old age, the words Moses wrote years ago still apply: "In themselves the days of our years are seventy years; and if because of special mightiness they are eighty years . . . for it must quickly pass by, and away we fly." (Psalm 90:10) In the near future will we see a change? Will man be able to live significantly longer? The next article will discuss such questions.

Next time: How Can the Quest for Longer Life SUCCEED?

Watchtower, 2001