• What Does Jehovah’s Loyal Love Mean to You?
    The Watchtower (Study)—2021 | November

    • 2. What are some characteristics of loyal love?

      2 What is loyal love? The expression “loyal love” occurs some 230 times in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. What is it? According to the “Glossary of Bible Terms” found in that translation, it refers to “love motivated by commitment, integrity, loyalty, and deep attachment. It is often used in connection with God’s love for humans, but it is also love shown between humans.” Jehovah is the supreme example of loyal love.

  • What Does Jehovah’s Loyal Love Mean to You?
    The Watchtower (Study)—2021 | November

    • The Bible mentions that we can love many things, such as “agriculture,” “wine and oil,” “discipline,” “knowledge,” “wisdom”​—to name a few. (2 Chron. 26:10; Prov. 12:1; 21:17; 29:3) Loyal love, however, is never extended to things or concepts; it is shown only to people. But Jehovah does not show loyal love to just anyone. He shows it to those who are in a special relationship with him. Our God is loyal to his friends. He has a wonderful purpose for them, and he will not give up on them.

      People of various backgrounds and ages. Collage: Expressions of Jehovah’s love. 1. Sunshine and rain. 2. Flowers, plants, and trees. 3. The opportunity to benefit from the ransom.

      Jehovah provides many good things for the entire human family, even for those who do not worship him (See paragraph 7)c

      7. How has Jehovah shown love to mankind in general?

      7 Jehovah has shown love to mankind in general. Jesus told a man named Nicodemus: “God loved the world [of mankind] so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.”​—John 3:1, 16; Matt. 5:44, 45.

      Collage: 1. King David plays the harp and sings. 2. The prophet Daniel reads a scroll.

      According to statements made by King David and by the prophet Daniel, Jehovah shows loyal love to those who know him, fear him, love him, and keep his commandments (See paragraphs 8-9)

      8-9. (a) Why does Jehovah show loyal love to his servants? (b) What will we consider next?

      8 As mentioned earlier, Jehovah shows his loyal love only to those who have an approved relationship with him​—his servants. This is evident from statements made by King David and by the prophet Daniel. For example, David said: “Continue showing your loyal love to those who know you.” “The loyal love of Jehovah is for all eternity toward those who fear him.” And Daniel declared: “O Jehovah the true God, [who] shows loyal love to those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Ps. 36:10; 103:17; Dan. 9:4) According to these inspired expressions, Jehovah shows loyal love to his servants because they know him, fear him, love him, and keep his commandments. Jehovah reserves his loyal love for his people, his true worshippers.