DAILY TEXT, Today's Thursday February 23, 2023, Let's love with facts and truth (1 John 3:18).

DAILY TEXT, Today Thursday February 23,  Let's love with deeds and truth (1 John 3:18).

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2023

Thursday February 23

Let us love with facts and truth (1 John 3:18).

When we love in this way, we also show gratitude for the ransom, since Jesus did not give his life only for us, but also for our brothers. If he was willing to die for them, it is because he loves them very much (1 John 3: 16-18). The way we treat them is a reflection of our love for them (Eph. 4:29, 31-5:2). We help them when they are sick or when they are experiencing hardships, such as a natural disaster. But how should we react when a brother does or says something that offends us? Do we have a tendency to hold grudges? (Lev. 19:18). If so, let's put this advice into practice: “Keep supporting each other and forgiving generously even if someone has a reason to complain about another. Jehovah generously forgave you, so do likewise” (Col. 3:13). Every time we forgive a brother, we show our heavenly Father that we truly appreciate the ransom. w21.04 18 pars. 12, 13.

HOW CAN WE INCREASINGLY VALUE THE RESCUE?

What will help us value the ransom more?

Let us thank Jehovah for the rescue. Joanna, an 83-year-old sister living in India, says: “I think it's important to mention the ransom in my prayers every day and thank Jehovah for it.” In our personal prayers, let's think about the mistakes we've made during the day and ask Jehovah to forgive us. Although, if we have committed a serious sin, we will also have to ask the elders for help. They will listen to us and advise us with love using the Bible. In addition, they will pray with us and ask Jehovah to forgive us thanks to Jesus' sacrifice so that we can recover spiritually (James 5:14-16).

Why should we take time to read about and meditate on the ransom?

Let us meditate on the rescue. A 73-year-old sister named Rajamani says: "When I read all that Jesus suffered, my eyes fill with tears." We, too, may be moved when we think of how much the Son of God suffered. But the more we meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made, the more we will love him and his Father. In order to accomplish this, why don't we include ransom in our personal study?

How does it benefit us to teach others about the rescue? (See cover image.)

Let's teach others about the rescue. Every time we tell others about the rescue, we appreciate it more. We have very good tools to explain why Jesus had to die for us. For example, we can use lesson 4 from the Good News From God pamphlet, entitled “Who Is Jesus Christ?” Or we can use chapter 5 of the book What does the Bible teach us?, entitled "The ransom, God's greatest gift." And each year our gratitude for the ransom grows as we attend the Memorial of Jesus' death and enthusiastically invite others to do the same. What an honor it is that Jehovah has commissioned us to teach others about his Son!

Why is the ransom God's greatest gift to humanity?

We are convinced that we have good reasons to value the rescue and not stop feeling grateful for it. The ransom makes it possible for us to have a good friendship with Jehovah even though we are imperfect. Thanks to the ransom, the works of the Devil will be completely undone (1 John 3:8). In addition, Jehovah's original purpose for the earth to be a paradise and for everyone to love and serve him will be carried out. So let's look every day for ways to show our gratitude for the rescue, God's greatest gift to humanity.

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2023 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.