Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Monday, September 8, 2025
Show respect to those who work hard among you and lead you in the Lord (1 Thess. 5:12).
Let's think about the congregation in Thessalonica. When Paul wrote this letter, it had been operating for less than a year. The elders were likely inexperienced and made mistakes, but they were to be respected. As the Great Tribulation approaches, we may need to rely more on the congregation's elders than we do now, as we may lose contact with world headquarters and the branch office, and lack their guidance. Therefore, it is very important that we learn to love and respect the elders of our congregation now.
Whatever happens, let us maintain sound judgment and not focus on their shortcomings. Rather, let us keep in mind that Jehovah is using Christ to guide these faithful men. We also need to keep strong our hope, which calms our hearts and gives us stability. Just as the helmet protected the soldier's head, the hope of salvation protects our thoughts. We consider what this world offers to be of no use (Phil. 3:8).
How does loving our brothers and sisters help us? (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
We also love our brothers and sisters, and we show it by encouraging and building one another up (read 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Soldiers fighting together support one another. But in the midst of battle, they might inadvertently injure a fellow soldier; they would never do it on purpose. Likewise, we would never knowingly harm our brothers or repay them evil for evil (1 Thessalonians 5:13, 15). Another way we show our love for the brothers is by respecting those who lead the congregation (1 Thessalonians 5:12).
How does hope protect our thoughts?
Just as the helmet protected the soldier's head, the hope of salvation protects our thoughts. Because we hold our hope in high regard, we consider what this world offers to be of no use (Phil. 3:8). Hope also calms our hearts and gives us stability.
That's what happened to Wallace and Laurinda, who were serving in Africa. In just three weeks, one lost his father and the other his mother. And they couldn't return to their home country to be with their family because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He wrote: “The hope of the resurrection helps me so much. I don't think about how they were in their last days in this world, but rather how they will be in their first days in the new world. Thanks to this hope, I feel calmer. The sadness of having lost them is more bearable.”
What can we do to get Jehovah to give us holy spirit?
“Do not quench the fire of the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). Paul compared the Holy Spirit to a fire burning within us. Because of that spirit, we are filled with fervor and a desire to do what is right and have the strength to work hard for Jehovah. (Rom. 12:11) How can we ask Jehovah to give us Holy Spirit? We can ask him for it, study his Word, and join his organization. If we do this, we will cultivate “the fruitage of the Spirit.” (Gal. 5:22, 23)
What should we avoid if we want to continue receiving God's spirit?
Jehovah gives us his Spirit, but we must be careful. We don't want to do anything that will extinguish "the fire of the Spirit." For Jehovah to grant us his Spirit, our conduct and thoughts must be clean. If we allow impure thoughts to take root in us and we are led astray by them, we will lose his Spirit. (1 Thess. 4:7, 8)
What else should we keep in mind? Paul said, “Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thess. 5:20). In this verse, the word “prophecies” refers to the messages God gives through his spirit. Among them are messages about the day of Jehovah and how close it is.
We don't think that the day of Jehovah is far away or that we won't see Armageddon. On the contrary, we hasten the day of Jehovah in our minds; that is, we have it very present. Therefore, we place great importance on our conduct and perform "deeds of devotion to God" every day. (2 Pet. 3:11, 12)
All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.
Comments
Post a Comment