Treasure Your Share in Modern-Day Miracles

1-2. (a) What are some miracles that are recorded in the Bible? (b) What is a miracle, and what part can we play? (1 Corinthians 3:9)

IMAGINE how thrilling it would have been to stand on the shore of the Red Sea and watch as Jehovah divided its waters, providing his people with a path of escape from the Egyptian army. And just think of the joy you would have had to see Jesus cure the sick and even raise the dead! These are just some of the miracles recorded in the Bible. Any righteous-hearted person who witnessed such miracles would have had no doubt that God was behind those events. (Matt. 15:31) But those amazing events occurred a long time ago. Are miracles happening today? Yes! Why can we say that?

² A miracle can be defined as something that is beyond the ability of man to accomplish or even to understand fully. It is something that Jehovah brings about by his power. In this article, we will examine three miracles that Jehovah is accomplishing within his organization today. We can call them miracles because only Jehovah is able to cause them to happen. In each case, we will see how we can be “fellow workers” with Jehovah as he performs these miracles.​—Read 1 Corinthians 3:9.

MIRACULOUS GROWTH

3. Why can it be said that Jehovah’s people have become “a mighty nation”? (Isaiah 60:22) (See also picture.)

³ Long ago, the prophet Isaiah foretold the increase that God’s servants would experience in our day. (Read Isaiah 60:22.) Has that prophecy been fulfilled? Consider: In 1914, those serving Jehovah were about 5,000. But since that year, “the small one” has grown to over nine million Kingdom evangelizers. That number is larger than the population of more than 130 countries! Never before have so many individuals come to know and love Jehovah, and they can be found in 240 lands around the globe. While Jehovah’s people are still a minority compared with other religious groups, there can be no denying that the growth foretold in God’s Word has occurred. “The small one” has indeed become “a mighty nation.”

4. Why is this growth in numbers significant?

⁴ Unlike many other religious organizations, we do not inflate our numbers by means of infant baptism. Neither have we increased our numbers by relaxing our adherence to God’s moral standards. On the contrary, we have studied the Bible and then brought our life into harmony with its teachings. For many of us, that meant making significant changes in our thinking and in our conduct. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) After making such changes, we qualified as Kingdom publishers and began inviting others to join us in true worship. In time, we dedicated ourselves to Jehovah​—promising to do his will, come what may—​and we got baptized.​—Matt. 28:19, 20.

5. What did Jesus tell his followers to expect?

⁵ Our growth is miraculous because it is only possible with Jehovah’s backing. Jesus indicated that it would not be easy to become his disciple. He said: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and keep following me.” (Matt. 16:24) This means that his followers would have to be willing to suffer or even die for their faith in Jesus. For example, Jesus foretold that his followers would stand trial before governors and kings. (Matt. 10:17, 18) He also warned of opposition from powerful religious authorities. (John 16:2) Jesus said that in some cases, pure worship would cause division even within families.​—Matt. 10:34-36.

6. Why could opposers not overthrow the first-century Christians?

⁶ True to Jesus’ words, Christians in the first century experienced severe opposition. Shortly after Jesus returned to heaven, Jewish religious leaders tried to stop the work of his disciples. The apostles were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court. Those religious leaders wanted to “do away with” the apostles; however, a Pharisee named Gamaliel cautioned them: “Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone. For if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. Otherwise, you may even be found fighters against God himself.” (Acts 5:33, 34, 38, 39) Gamaliel may not have realized how true his words were. After the apostles were released, the religious leaders continued to fight against them. But those faithful disciples could not be overthrown; instead, Christianity flourished! (Acts 6:7) The reason? God was helping his people endure and grow despite the opposition.​—Acts 1:8.

7. How are Jesus’ disciples today following the example of the first-century Christians? (See also the box “Growth Despite Persecution.”)

⁷ Today thousands are flocking to the truth even though they are being rejected, disowned, or persecuted by family members, workmates, and others. Why do these new disciples choose to “pick up [their] torture stake”? (Matt. 16:24) They do so because they love Jehovah and trust in his promise to care for them. In return, Jehovah gives them “the power beyond what is normal” to endure. (2 Cor. 4:7-9) If they face opposition from family members, they share the sentiments of the psalmist who said: “Even if my own father and mother abandon me, Jehovah himself will take me in.” (Ps. 27:10) The fact that so many become disciples of Jesus despite the hardship involved is nothing short of miraculous.

8. What share do we have in the miracle of growth?

⁸ Each time we engage in any form of the ministry, we are working alongside Jehovah and Jesus in the miracle of growth. We have their support. Jesus gives us the assurance: “I am with you all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt. 28:20) Furthermore, we are assisted by the angels as we preach.​—Rev. 14:6, 7.

MIRACULOUS UNITY

9-10. How is Micah 2:12 being fulfilled today?

⁹ The prophet Micah foretold another miracle we see in our time​—the remarkable unity of God’s people. Under inspiration, Micah described men and women whom Jehovah would gather and who would dwell together in unity. (Read Micah 2:12.) In fulfillment of that prophecy, God’s people today live in harmony despite any differences they may have in personality or background. They agree with the psalmist David, who wrote: “Look! How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”​—Ps. 133:1.

¹⁰ Today our unity is evident in many ways. For example, wherever we live, we share the same spiritual program at meetings, assemblies, and conventions. Witnesses from different backgrounds and nationalities work side by side on building projects and in Bethel facilities across the globe. Our bond is close. We are not divided by culture, economic status, or political beliefs. Think about it: Our loving family is there for us wherever we go​—ready to offer spiritual and practical help. Never before in history have so many people from so many lands and cultures been united in thought and in conduct.

11. Why can our unity be called a miracle?

¹¹ Our unity is miraculous because it is in striking contrast to the world’s widespread disunity. Across the globe, people are deeply divided. The news is filled with reports about fights, riots, protests, rebellions, and wars​—painting a grim picture of division and strife. As foretold in the Bible, people are “disloyal, . . . not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride.” (2 Tim. 3:2-4) Despite the fact that “the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one” and his demons, we continue to thrive as a united people. (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:9) Truly, that is miraculous!

12. How can we contribute to the bond of unity among God’s people?

¹² We can contribute to the bond of unity in Jehovah’s organization. How? By carefully listening to and applying what Jehovah teaches us. The teachings of his Word help us to show patience, to extend forgiveness, to avoid arguments, and to be kind to others. (Eph. 4:2, 31, 32) Each time we overlook a flaw in a fellow believer, each time we control the urge to gossip, and each time we extend forgiveness​—we are working along with Jehovah as he accomplishes a modern-day miracle within his organization.

MIRACULOUS LOVE

13. In what ways did first-century Christians show love for one another? (John 13:35)

¹³ Jesus said that his followers would be identified by their love for one another. (Read John 13:35.) Such love was central in the lives of first-century Christians. For example, they shared their belongings with those in need. (Acts 2:44, 45) They supported those who were persecuted. (Acts 12:5) They cared for orphans and widows. (Jas. 1:27) And despite their own poverty, they sent relief aid to other Christians. (2 Cor. 8:1-4) Second-century writer Tertullian quoted what others said about the early Christians: “See . . . how they love one another [and] how they are ready even to die for one another.”

14. In what ways do God’s people show love today? (See also pictures.)

¹⁴ Like first-century Christians, God’s people today have strong love for one another. We extend our love even to those outside the congregation through our preaching work. To support that work, we contribute financially. No one begs or coerces us to do so; nor are we required to tithe. Love also moves us to help our brothers and sisters in times of need.a In addition to providing material support, we support one another spiritually and emotionally. This is in harmony with the apostle Paul’s admonition: “Speak consolingly to those who are depressed, support the weak, be patient toward all.” (1 Thess. 5:14) Jehovah has brought us into a worldwide family of brothers and sisters who show genuine love for one another and for neighbor.

15. Why can our love for one another be called a miracle?

¹⁵ The love shown by God’s people is a miracle because it thrives in a selfish world. The apostle Paul wrote that in our day, people would be “lovers of themselves, lovers of money, [and] lovers of pleasures.” They would not love God, and they would have “no natural affection,” not even for their own family. (2 Tim. 3:2-4) Jesus foretold that people would betray one another and hate one another. He added that “the love of the greater number [would] grow cold.” (Matt. 24:10, 12) Have you not found this to be true as you observe the state of this world? The love that thrives among Jehovah’s people is a result of his power. Truly, a modern-day miracle!

16. In what ways can we show love to one another?

¹⁶ We show love when we sincerely express appreciation to others for their good example and when we work to maintain peace with them. (Mark 9:50) By consistently demonstrating love in both words and actions, we reflect the quality that identifies God’s people. By showing love, we are indeed working along with Jehovah as he accomplishes a modern-day miracle within his organization.

TREASURE YOUR SHARE

17. What proves to you that Jehovah is performing miracles today?

¹⁷ The growth, unity, and love that we experience in our organization prove that Jehovah is performing miracles in our time. In the face of widespread opposition, our numbers have increased. In a world that is splintered on many levels, we are united. And though we live in a loveless world, our love for God and for one another identifies us as true disciples of Christ. (John 13:34) We are not passive bystanders; “we are God’s fellow workers.”​—1 Cor. 3:9.

18. In view of the miraculous work that Jehovah is doing, what determination should we have?

¹⁸ Who would have thought that there would be a time when people from all lands of the earth would enjoy growth, unity, and love in such a troubled world? Yet, that is exactly what we see today! These miraculous achievements strengthen our confidence in the fulfillment of all that Jehovah has promised for the future. (2 Pet. 3:13) Always treasure your privilege to have a share in God’s modern-day miracles.