LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: Week of August 28 to September 3, 2023, "Let's show loyal love like Jehovah", Analysis and Answers.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: August 28-September 3, 2023, "Let's show loyal love like Jehovah", Analysis and Answers.

“Let's show loyal love like Jehovah” (10 min.): Analysis with the audience and video.

In what ways can we show loyal love?

According to the video we watched, there are many ways we can show Loyal Love. For example, one way is to spend time with others, especially when they are alone or in need of company. 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

One way is by taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to be kind to all people, but especially to our most needy brothers. For example, brother Ben missed this opportunity, when he did not take time to visit brother Carl, who was in a terminal phase of his illness, in the hospital, surely a few words of encouragement and a show of kindness from Ben would have helped him. much strengthened.

The elders of the Congregation have many ways of showing loyal love to others. For example, when a brother or sister commits a serious sin, is discouraged, or is going through a difficult situation, the elders may think about what is best for that person, wanting them to receive and accept the discipline or comfort that Jehovah offers with so much love Hence, the elder will strive to find time to make shepherding visits. Brother Ben, after meditating, understood that he was failing on that point, and so he began to make this type of visit to the brothers in the congregation who needed it.

One way to show loyal love is by supporting and comforting those who are going through a serious illness, or perhaps those who have sick family members or have lost a loved one in death. In the video we see how brother Ben invites this sister who has just become a widow to her house for family worship and with this small gesture, she showed him her loyal love. So he is an example to imitate for all of us.

Brother Ben was hit with many new responsibilities, and he was absorbed by all of them. To the point, that when brother Kevin came up to him and asked if they could talk, Ben said maybe later. With this action he disregarded it. Perhaps because it was a child, Ben didn't see the urgency in attending to him. But a brother who has loyal love for others will make an effort to listen, attend and support all the brothers in the congregation regardless of age. Loyal love will be what drives you to be attentive, to take the time and even to take the initiative, since loyal love is shown with actions, not with mere words, or good wishes.

We can do it in several ways, for example paying due attention to those around us, that is, spending time with them, visiting them when they are sick, because sometimes we are so absorbed in our responsibilities and occupations that of course they are important, but we begin to neglect showing that loyal love that characterizes the servants of Jehovah 

Another way is to visit sick or elderly people, since this can become a significant gesture for them, in this way they will feel that we are truly interested in their well-being. In the video, we can see how Ben and another brother visit a sister in her home. This is also a way of showing Loyal Love, as it shows genuine concern for the spiritual and emotional well-being of others. 

Our fellowship and regular visits to our brothers who are sick or elderly will strengthen unity and encouragement in the congregation.

In addition, we could also see in the video the act of Ben giving food to a sick brother in prison, which is an excellent example of loyal love in difficult times. This example teaches us that we, too, can show loyal love by providing emotional and material support to those facing difficult situations. For example, brothers who are in prison due to their beliefs or also those who are sick or in financial need.

Another way we can show loyal love is when we are patient and forgive those who have hurt us or made mistakes. Hence the importance of not holding grudges or resentment and being willing to freely forgive our brothers and give them the opportunity to show them loyal love.

Also giving tangible help to those who are going through difficult times is a concrete way of showing Loyal Love. This may involve offering emotional or spiritual support, providing material resources or helping with practical tasks. 

As mentioned in the video, meditating on Jehovah's acts of loyal love motivates us to imitate him. And an important way to demonstrate loyal love is by maintaining a strong spiritual connection with Jehovah through Bible study and reflection on his love and mercy. This will encourage us to reflect his love in our daily lives.

In short, showing loyal love involves showing a deep and lasting attachment to our brothers and sisters in faith, just as Jehovah has done to his people throughout history. The result of showing loyal love is that the congregations will be strengthened and thus we will reflect the principles of love and compassion that Jehovah teaches us through the Bible.

Why is it sometimes necessary to make sacrifices to show loyal love?

In the video it is said that brother Carl was hospitalized several times and brother Ben visited and supported him. But toward the end of Brother Carl's illness, Ben let his busyness take over. In such a way that he was not there when Carl needed him most. This teaches us that showing real Love sometimes requires us to make sacrifices. Especially when it comes to our time.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Brother Ben's experience is interesting, since it teaches us that showing loyal love Now to our brothers, it prepares us to show Loyal love later, when persecution and great tribulation arrive. It will be the Loyal love that we have cultivated now that will prevent us from betraying our brothers or betraying them even if our own freedom or our lives are at stake. So this should lead us to reflection and self-examination. That is why we must ask ourselves if we are showing this loyal love with impartiality, if we are showing it with our actions, if we take the initiative or if, on the contrary, we are not doing as we are obliged to, so there is much to meditate on.

Brother Ben learned that to show loyal love you have to make sacrifices. But at the end of the video, he said that he was happy that he never stopped learning how to show this kind of love. This teaches us that we can learn to cultivate this quality. Since it is a matter and a personal decision.

In the video we see that brother Ben was incarcerated along with other brothers, but instead of being focused on himself, he continues to strive to show loyal Love to others, so he encourages and supports them where he can. Loyal love for his siblings prompted him to make sacrifices and put their interests first. Which is a great example for each of us.

It is very encouraging to know that all our acts of loyal love towards others will not only be our memories to strengthen us now, but also prepare us to continue showing loyal love in the new world. This teaches us that the sacrifices we have to make now to be able to show this loyal love to others and especially to our brothers, is not really a sacrifice, it is part of our training and our spiritual growth.

It is necessary because otherwise we could be losing opportunities to show Loyal Love, or things may even happen that make us regret not having shown that love on time, also as we are reminded in the video, showing love today prepare for when in the future we have to make bigger sacrifices.

When one of our brothers faces difficulties or challenges Showing Loyal love implies being willing to give practical help such as time, resources or effort to ease their load. This may require sacrifice of our personal time and resources. 

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Looking back, I admit that I thought I knew what it was to show love, but I still had a lot to learn. Come on, you've been with that for hours, you have to sleep. Just 5 minutes. Ben, Carl has called you, you should visit him again, Greace says that he has gotten worse. I will, I promise, let this speech pass. 

I know Carl and Grace, since I was 17 years old, Carl was my father in a spiritual sense, he always supported me, Carl was hospitalized several times, and I tried to be a good friend, but he was so busy. He had many new responsibilities that fell on me at once. Brother Ben, can we talk, uh Kevin maybe later okay.

But I thought that when I freed myself up a bit, I would have more time for everyone, including Carl. What I didn't realize is that sometimes time flies. Grace told me that no one could know that Carl was going to die so soon and that he didn't feel guilty, but I knew that I would regret that decision for a long time, I never wanted to miss the opportunity to show love again.

Brother Ben can we talk? Hey Kevin, how are you? I understood that learning to show more love at that time would prepare us for what was to come. Later, showing love would require even greater sacrifices.

Where is? Answer me, do you know where it is? I am very happy because I never stopped learning to show love and Jehovah never left me. Now I share centuries of good memories with Car, because I have spent hundreds of years showing him and all my brothers Loyal love.