One reason we should love Jehovah is that he requires us to reflect his qualities. God is both the source and the supreme example of love. “God is love,” wrote the inspired apostle John. (1 John 4:8) Humans were created in God’s image; we were designed to love. In fact, Jehovah’s sovereignty is based on love. He wants as his subjects those who serve him because they both love and desire his righteous way of ruling. Really, love is essential for the peace and harmony of all creation.[/b]
When I read this paragraph, I thought of the seeming paradox that can be found here: We should love Jehovah because he requires*us to reflect his qualities. Some, it seems, prefer to think of Jehovah as a tyrant, a God who--if he doesn't get his own way--wipes out of existence those who don't cater to his whims. And the fact of the matter is that nobody likes*to be told what to do. Our human nature is such that we bristle at being told to do something if we don't want*to do it.
But as we continue to grow in Christian maturity, we can more deeply appreciate that when Jehovah requires*us to reflect his qualities, he isn't doing for his own sake, out of some divine self-gratification. Rather, as the prophet Isaiah was inspired to write:
This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser, the Holy One of Israel: “I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit [yourself], the One causing you to tread in the way in which you should walk. O if only you would actually pay attention to my commandments! Then your peace would become just like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea. And your offspring would become just like the sand, and the descendants from your inward parts like the grains of it. (Isaiah 48:17-19, NWT)
When we avoid fornication, we benefit*from the avoidance by not having to have added unto our struggles those things that are commonplace with fornication. When we avoid smoking, we benefit*from the avoidance by not having to subject our temple for the spirit with disease-causing agents and increased propensity towards illness. When we exercise mercy, our heavenly Father looks on and notes our reflection of his*mercy. In every way, our reflection of Jehovah's immeasurable qualities improves*our life and*our spirituality, and as a result we draw closer to our Creator in intiimate association and dedication.
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