DAILY TEXT, From today Wednesday, January 22, 2025, Welcome one another with pleasure (Rom. 15:7).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025

Wednesday January 22, 2025

Welcome one another gladly (Rom. 15:7).

Let's think about the congregation in Rome, which was made up of very different Christians. Some were Jews, who had been raised following the Law of Moses. But there were also brothers from other nations, with very different cultural backgrounds. Some were probably slaves and others were free men, and some may have owned slaves. What would help you overcome those differences and love each other more and more? The apostle Paul gave them this advice: “Welcome one another gladly.” What did he mean? The word here translated “welcome with pleasure” conveys the idea of ​​receiving someone with kindness or hospitality, as when a person welcomes someone into their home or includes them in their circle of friends. For example, Paul told Philemon how he had to receive a slave named Onesimus who had run away from home. He said to him, “Receive him kindly” (Philem. 17). Priscilla and Aquila knew much more about Christianity than Apollos, but they welcomed it and took it with them (Acts 18:26). Although all of these Christians were very different, they did not let those differences divide them. On the contrary, they surpassed them and were welcomed with pleasure. w23.07 6 para. 13.

How did Anna and her husband express their love?

We can also express our love for our brothers and sisters by welcoming them, including them in our circle of friends. This will usually cause them to treat us kindly, too (2 Cor. 6:11-13). Let's look at what happened to Anna and her husband, who were missionaries in West Africa. Shortly after being sent to another country in the region, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and they could no longer meet in person with the brothers of the congregation. What did this couple do to express their love for them? They contacted them by video conference to tell them that they were looking forward to getting to know them better. This gesture touched the hearts of the brothers, and they began calling Anna and her husband on the phone and sending them messages. Why did these missionaries strive to integrate into the congregation? Anna explains it like this: “I carry in my heart all the love that the brothers showed to my family and me in the good and bad times. Thinking about that drives me to show my love.”

What does Vanessa's example teach you about love for siblings? (See also the image).

Many congregations are made up of brothers and sisters with very different personalities and backgrounds. What will help us love them all more? Focus on your good qualities. A sister named Vanessa who lives in New Zealand had a hard time getting along with some brothers in her congregation because their personalities irritated her. Instead of putting them aside, he decided to spend more time with them. Through that, he discovered the things that Jehovah likes about these people. She says: “Since my husband was appointed circuit overseer, we got together with many more brothers, and each one has his own personality. But now it's easier for me to get along with others. I love the variety. And it is clear that Jehovah loves it too, because he himself brings very different people to his people.” So how can we show that we love our brothers? Making the effort to see them as Jehovah sees them (2 Cor. 8:24).

Why will love be essential during the great tribulation? (See also the image).

During the great tribulation, it will be essential that we love our brothers. How will Jehovah protect us when the great tribulation begins? Let us think about the instructions that Jehovah gave his people to survive the attack that ancient Babylon would suffer: “Go, my people, enter your inner rooms and close the doors behind you. Hide yourself for a brief moment until the fury has passed” (Isa. 26:20). We may also have to follow these instructions during the great tribulation. The expression “inner rooms” may refer to congregations. If during this period we remain united with our brothers, Jehovah will protect us, just as he has promised. Therefore, it is not enough to endure our brothers; We must truly love them. It is likely that without that love we cannot survive.

What can we do during the great tribulation if we prepare now?

“The great day of the Lord” will be a very distressing period for all humanity (Zeph. 1:14, 15). The servants of Jehovah will also have difficulties. But if we prepare now, we can stay calm and help others. With endurance, we will face any challenge that arises. With compassion, we will be willing to do everything in our power to help our brothers and meet their needs. And, with the love that we will already feel for them, we will manage to stay united. Jehovah will reward us with eternal life in a world where disasters and tribulations will be forgotten (Isa. 65:17).

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