1, 2. (a) How do many view spirituality? (b) What key questions about spirituality will we consider?

“BEING a spiritual person has made me happier, and it has helped me deal successfully with daily trials,” says a sister in Canada. A brother in Brazil states, “Our 23 years of marriage have been very happy​—thanks to our efforts to be spiritually-minded.” And a brother in the Philippines notes, “Being a spiritual person has allowed me to have peace of mind, and it has helped me improve in my dealings with brothers from different backgrounds.”

² Expressions like those portray spirituality in a favorable way. As a result, we may be moved to ask ourselves, ‘How can I grow as a spiritual person and enjoy more fully the benefits described above?’ However, before we answer that, we need to understand clearly what the Bible says about spiritual, or spiritually-minded, people. In this article, we will answer three key questions. (1) What does it mean to be a spiritual person? (2) What examples will help us to progress in our spirituality? (3) How will our effort to have “the mind of Christ” help us to be spiritual people?

3. How does the Bible’s description of a physical man differ from that of a spiritual man?

³ The apostle Paul helps us to understand what a spiritual person is by drawing a contrast between a “spiritual man” and “a physical man.” (Read 1 Corinthians 2:14-16.) What is the difference? The “physical man” is described as not accepting “the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them.” On the other hand, “the spiritual man” is someone who “examines all things” and who has “the mind of Christ.” Paul encourages us to be spiritual people. In what other ways do physical and spiritual individuals differ?

4, 5. What are the characteristics of a physical person?

⁴ Consider first the attitude of a physical individual. The world has a predominant attitude that centers on the flesh. Paul describes it as “the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:2) This spirit influences most humans to adopt a common attitude​—simply follow the crowd. They are focused on the flesh. As a result, the majority of them do what feels right in their own eyes and make no effort to live up to God’s standards. A physical, or fleshly-minded, person is often excessively concerned about prestige and material pursuits or about defending what he feels are his rights.

⁵ What else might identify a physical person? People who engage in any of “the works of the flesh” fall into that category. (Gal. 5:19-21) Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian congregation identifies a number of other characteristics of those who have a fleshly attitude. These include: promoting divisions, taking sides, fostering dissensions, taking one another to court, showing a lack of appreciation for headship, and being self-indulgent in food and drink. When confronted with temptation, the fleshly-minded person weakens and gives in. (Prov. 7:21, 22) Jude spoke of those who would deteriorate even to the point of “not having spirituality.”​—Jude 18, 19.

6. What identifies a spiritual person?

⁶ What, then, does it mean to be a “spiritual man”? A spiritual person is inclined toward God, the opposite of the physical person. Spiritually-minded individuals strive to “become imitators of God.” (Eph. 5:1) This means that they make an effort to have Jehovah’s thinking on matters and to look at things from his point of view. God is very real to them. In contrast with fleshly-minded individuals, they try to bring all their ways into harmony with Jehovah’s standards. (Ps. 119:33; 143:10) Rather than focus on fleshly works, the spiritually-minded person endeavors to show “the fruitage of the spirit.” (Gal. 5:22, 23) To clarify the expression “spiritually-minded” further, think of this comparison: An individual who is skillful in commercial affairs is said to be business-minded. Similarly, someone who keenly values spiritual or religious interests is called spiritually-minded.

7. What does the Bible say about spiritually-minded people?

⁷ The Bible speaks highly of spiritually-minded people. Matthew 5:3 says: “Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.” Romans 8:6 shows the advantage of being spiritually-minded, saying: “Setting the mind on the flesh  means death, but setting the mind on the spirit means life and peace.” By focusing on spiritual things, we gain peace with God and with ourselves now and the prospect of everlasting life in the future.

8. Why is effort needed to develop and maintain spirituality?

⁸ However, we live in a dangerous environment. Since fleshly attitudes are all around us, we need to put forth real effort to develop spirituality and to guard it once we have it. If a person loses his spirituality, he creates a moral vacuum and the polluted “air” of this world will rush in. What can help us to prevent that from happening? How can we grow spiritually?

9. (a) What can help us to grow spiritually? (b) What examples of spiritual people will we consider?

⁹ A child can become mature by observing his parents and copying their good example. In like manner, we can grow spiritually by observing and imitating spiritually strong people. Conversely, fleshly-oriented people serve as warning examples for us. (1 Cor. 3:1-4) The Bible contains both types of examples. But since our goal is to grow as spiritual people, let us take a look at several positive examples of individuals we can imitate. We will consider the examples of Jacob, Mary, and Jesus.

10. How did Jacob show himself to be a spiritual man?

¹⁰ First, take the example of Jacob. As is true of most of us today, Jacob did not have an easy life. He had to put up with his fleshly-minded brother, Esau, who intended to kill him. On top of that, he had to deal with a deceitful father-in-law, who repeatedly tried to exploit him. Yet, despite being surrounded by “physical” men, Jacob was a spiritual man. He had faith in the promise made to Abraham  and devoted himself to caring for the family who would play a special role in the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose. (Gen. 28:10-15) Jacob’s words and actions reveal that he had God’s standards and will in mind. For example, when he felt threatened by Esau, Jacob said to God: “Save me, I pray you . . . You have said: ‘I will certainly deal well with you, and I will make your offspring like the grains of sand of the sea.’” (Gen. 32:6-12) He obviously put faith in Jehovah’s promises to him and his forefathers and wanted to act in harmony with God’s will and purpose.

11. What shows that Mary was a spiritual person?

¹¹ Now consider another example, that of Mary. Why did Jehovah choose Mary to become Jesus’ mother? No doubt because she was a spiritually-minded person. How do we know that? She showed clear evidence of spirituality in her beautiful expressions of praise when she visited the home of her relatives Zechariah and Elizabeth. (Read Luke 1:46-55.) Mary’s statements show that she had a deep love for God’s Word and was thoroughly familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures. (Gen. 30:13; 1 Sam. 2:1-10; Mal. 3:12) Note, too, that she and Joseph, although newly married, refrained from sexual relations until Jesus was born. What does that indicate? It shows that both of them were more concerned with Jehovah’s will than with satisfying their personal desires. (Matt. 1:25) As time passed, Mary carefully noted what took place in Jesus’ life and paid attention to the words of wisdom he spoke. Furthermore, she “kept all these sayings in her heart.” (Luke 2:51) She was clearly interested in God’s purpose in connection with the Messiah. Does not Mary’s example help us to think of how we can put God’s will first in our life?

12. (a) In what way did Jesus resemble his Father? (b) How can we imitate Jesus’ example? (See opening picture.)

¹² Yet, of all the people who have lived, who is the most outstanding example of a spiritual person? It is Jesus, of course. Throughout his life and ministry, he showed that he wanted to imitate his Father, Jehovah. He thought, felt, and acted like Jehovah and lived in harmony with God’s will and standards. (John 8:29; 14:9; 15:10) Note, for example, how Jehovah’s feelings of compassion are described by the prophet Isaiah, and compare that description with what the Gospel writer Mark reports about Jesus’ feelings. (Read Isaiah 63:9; Mark 6:34.) Are we like Jesus, ever ready to show compassionate concern when we meet people who need help? In addition, Jesus devoted himself to the work of preaching and teaching the good news. (Luke 4:43) All such feelings and actions are marks of a spiritual person.

13, 14. (a) What can we learn from modern-day examples of spiritually-minded people? (b) Relate an example.

¹³ Aside from Scriptural examples, there are many modern-day examples of spiritually-minded individuals who have made great progress in reflecting a Christlike personality. Perhaps you have noticed their zeal in the ministry, their outstanding hospitality, their compassion, or other fine qualities. They, like us, have battled weaknesses and imperfections while trying to develop those godly qualities. Rachel, a sister in Brazil, says: “I loved to follow the world’s fashions. As a result, I did not dress  very modestly. But learning the truth moved me to make the needed effort to be a spiritual person. Making changes was not easy, but I became happier and found real purpose in life.”

¹⁴ Reylene, from the Philippines, had a different challenge. She focused on pursuing higher education and good employment in order to get ahead in life. She says: “My spiritual goals started to fade. But I began to realize that something was missing in my life, something far more important than my job. As a result, I redirected my focus to serving Jehovah.” Since then, Reylene has been a living example of putting faith in Jehovah’s promise found at Matthew 6:33, 34. She says: “I know for sure that Jehovah will take care of me!” Perhaps you know of similar examples in your congregation. Are we not moved to imitate such faithful ones as they follow the Christ?​—1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Thess. 3:7.

15, 16. (a) To be like Christ, what do we need to do? (b) How can we expose our mind to “the mind of Christ”?

¹⁵ How can we personally imitate Christ? The Bible at 1 Corinthians 2:16 speaks of having “the mind of Christ.” And Romans 15:5 refers to having “the same mental attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Therefore, to be like Christ, we need to know his pattern of thinking and the full range of his personality. Then we need to follow in his footsteps. Jesus’ mind is focused on his relationship with God. So being like Jesus makes us more like Jehovah. For these reasons, it becomes clear how important it is to learn to think as Jesus does.

¹⁶ How can we do this? Jesus’ disciples saw his miracles, heard his discourses, watched how he dealt with all kinds of people, and observed how he applied godly principles. They said: “We are witnesses of all the things he did.” (Acts 10:39) We, however, cannot observe him directly. But Jehovah has lovingly provided the Gospel accounts that can make Jesus’ personality come alive in our mind. By reading and meditating on the Bible books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, we expose our mind to Christ’s mind. We thus can “follow his steps closely” and “arm [ourselves] with the same mental disposition” as Christ had.​—1 Pet. 2:21; 4:1.

17. How will thinking like Christ help us?

¹⁷ How will learning to think like Christ help us? Just as nourishing food strengthens the physical body, feeding our mind on Christ’s thinking fortifies our spirituality. Gradually, we come to know what Christ would do in any situation. This, in turn, helps us to make decisions that leave us with a clean conscience and God’s approval. Do you not agree that these benefits give us good reason to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”?​—Rom. 13:14.

18. What have you learned from this discussion on being a spiritual person?

¹⁸ We have considered what it means to be a spiritual person. We have also seen that we can learn from good examples of spiritual people. Finally, we have learned how having “the mind of Christ” helps us to grow as a spiritual person. However, there are several other aspects of spirituality that we should consider. For example, how can we analyze the strength of our own spirituality? What more can we do to cultivate it? And how will our spirituality impact our daily life? The next article will help to answer these questions.

1, 2. (a) De ere ne etẹn eso miẹn rhunmwuda iran rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn? (b) De inọta eso ni ru ekpataki ne ima gha ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na?

ỌTẸN nokhuo ọkpa ne ọ rre Canada keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọ keghi ya mwẹ sọyẹnmwẹ rhunmwuda ne I na re ọmwa ne ọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, ẹre ọ vbe zẹe ne I na sẹtin la edanmwẹ ughughan gberra.” Ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa ne ọ rre Brazil keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ukpo 23 ẹre ọ ye na, ne ima ru orọnmwẹ sokpan, ne ima na re emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, ma wa sọyẹnmwẹ orọnmwẹ ọghe ima.” Ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa nọ rre Philippines na vbe kha wẹẹ: “Te orhiọn mwẹ wa sẹ otọ rhunmwuda ne I na re ọmwa ne ọ digiẹ vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ẹre ọ vbe zẹe ighẹ obọ ne I ya mu etẹn vbuwe ẹgbẹe ẹre I ghi ya mu etẹn ni ke ehe ughughan rre.”

² Igiemwi etẹn nii keghi rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ma gha miẹn afiangbe nibun deghẹ ima na rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn. Te ọ khẹke ne dọmwadẹ ima nọ egbe ẹre wẹẹ, ‘Vbia khian ya sẹtin gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn hẹ, ne I mieke na miẹn afiangbe vbe ne a ghee etẹn ne a guan kaẹn ban?’ A ke zẹ ewanniẹn ye inọta nii, te ọ khẹke ne ima ka rẹn otọ emwi ne Baibol khare vbekpae emwa ni rhie aro tua  emwi orhiọn. Vbe ako iruẹmwi na, ma gha zẹ ewanniẹn ye inọta eha. (1) Vbe a yae kha ne a gha re ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn? (2) De igiemwi eso ne ọ gha ru iyobọ ne ima ya gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn? (3) Ma gha hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne ima gha mwẹ “ekhọe Kristi,” vbe ọ khian ya ru iyobọ ne ima hẹ, ne ima ya gha re emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn?

3. Zẹe vbene Baibol gie ẹre, de vbene ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn ya lughuaẹn ne ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa?

³ Ukọ e Pọl keghi rhan otọ vbene a ya rẹn ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn kevbe ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa. (Tie 1 Kọrinti 2:14-16.) Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ, ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa “i sẹtin rhan obọ miẹn ọhẹ ne ọ ke obọ Osanobua rre, ẹi rẹn emwi ne a yae kha, ẹmwẹ oya ehia khin vbe ehọ ẹre.” Sokpan, ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn keghi “gualọ otọ emwi hia,” ọmwa vberriọ, ẹre ọ vbe mwẹ “ekhọe Kristi.” Ukọ e Pọl keghi rhie igiọdu ne ima wẹẹ, ne ima gha rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn. De odẹ ọvbehe ne ọmwa ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn kevbe ne ọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa ya lughuaẹn ne egbe?

4, 5. De uyinmwẹ eso ne emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa yin?

⁴ De ama ne a ya rẹn ọmwa nọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa? Emwi ikpakpa ẹre emwa nagbọn khu khian. Ọna ọre iwinna nọ mu emwa nagbọn vbe uhunmwu otagbọn hia. Ukọ e Pọl keghi gie ẹre zẹvbe “orhiọn ne ọ sua iran nian ighẹ iran ne ẹi họn ẹmwẹ ne Osanobua.” (Ẹfis 2:2) Orhiọn dan na, ẹre ọ ya emwa yin uyinmwẹ dan ọghe emwa ni lẹga iran. Emwa vbenian i zẹdẹ lele ilele ọghe Osanobua, emwi nọ khọọn iran ẹre iran ru. Iwinna nọ mu emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa ọre emwi ewe ne a khu khian, ukpo ne a na zẹ kevbe oseghe ne a sinmwi ne egbe ọmwa.

⁵ De ama ọvbehe ne a ya rẹn ọmwa nọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa? Ọmwa nọ rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa keghi yin uyinmwẹ ne Baibol gbodan yi. (Gal 5:19-21) Vbe ebe nokaro ne Pọl gbẹn gi Ivbiotu e Kristi vbe Kọrinti, ọ keghi ya unu kaẹn uyinmwẹ eso ne a ya rẹn emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa. Eso vbọ keghi re: iwannegbe, ẹmwẹ ẹrhẹe ne a mu yan uhunmwu, ẹzọ, ne a na tie egbe ẹzọ vbe owa ẹzọ, ne a na gbodan ye emwamwa ọghe ọdakha kevbe ne emwa na mu ẹmwẹ evba gha re kevbe evba gha da ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe iran. Emwa vbenian i sẹtin mudia gbain vbe iran gha werriẹ aro daa edanmwẹ. (Itan 7:21, 22) E Jud guan kaẹn emwa eso ni gha khian rree ne Osanobua, sẹrriọ wẹẹ, iran ghi gha yin vbe na ghee aranmwẹ oha.—Jud 18, 19.

6. De ama ne a ya rẹn ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn?

⁶ De ama ne a ghi ya rẹn emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn? Emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn keghi hoo ne iran ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn Osanobua. Iran keghi hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne iran “ye vbe” Osanobua. (Ẹfis 5:1) Ọna rhiema wẹẹ, te iran gbaro kotọ ẹsẹse ne iran mieke na rẹn aro ne Jehova ya ghee emwi. Iran i ya ilele kevbe adia ọghe Osanobua rhẹghẹrẹ. Iran keghi hia ne iran lele adia ọghe Osanobua vbe arrọọ ọghe iran. Te iran wa lughaẹn ne emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa. (Psm 119:33; 143:10) Emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn keghi rhie akpa ọghe ọmọ okọ ọghe “orhiọn nọhuanrẹn” ma, vbene iran na bi egbe ne ahoo ọghe ikpakpa. (Gal 5:22, 23) Igiemwi na gha ru iyobọ ne ima ya rẹn ọnrẹn sayọ evba ya re kha ne a gha re ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn: Ọmwa gha fuẹro ẹki ne a do, a ghi wẹẹ ọmwa nọ gua do ẹki nọ, sokpan ọmwa nọ ya ekhọe hia gbọyẹmwẹ ye emwi orhiọn keghi re ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn.

7. De emwi ne Baibol khare vbekpae emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn?

⁷ E Baibol khare wẹẹ, emwa ni deziẹn vbe  odẹ ọghe orhiọn keghi sọyẹnmwẹ. Ebe Matiu 5:3 khare wẹẹ: “Ọ maan ne iran ni rẹnrẹn ighẹ ivbiogue iran khin vbe orhiọn, iran ọre ọ yan Arriọba ẹrinmwi!” Ebe Rom 8:6 vbe guan kaẹn afiangbe ne a lae miẹn, vbe a gha mudia gbain vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “A deghẹ egbe . . . ẹre ọ tama ọmwa emwi ne ọ gha ru, uwu ọre ọ ke ẹre ikian. Sokpan, a deghẹ orhiọn ọre ọ gie odẹ emwi ne a gha ru ma ọmwa, ẹfe kevbe ọfunmwegbe ọre nọ.” Ma gha ra rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn, ma ghi do gha re ọsie Jehova, orhiọn ima ghi vbe sotọ. Yevbesọni, ma vbe gha mwẹ ayayẹro ọghe arrọọ etẹbitẹ.

8. Vbọzẹe ne ọ na lọghọ ne ima sẹtin do gha re emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn?

⁸ Agbọn ne ima ghi ye na keghi re nọ vuọn ne uyinmwẹ atosi. Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ima gha hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne ima gha re emwa ni digiẹ vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, ma ghi vbe gha begbe ne ima ghẹ do worua vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ọmwa gha worua vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, ọ ghi kie ẹkpotọ ne iziro nọ ma gba ọghe agbọn Esu ya gbọzinia vbe ekhọe re. De emwi ne ima gha ru ne emwi vbenian ghẹ sunu daa ima? De vbene ima khian ya gha mwẹ alaghodaro hẹ vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn?

9. (a) De emwi nọ gha ya ima gha mwẹ alaghadaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn? (b) De igiemwi eso ne ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na?

⁹ Ne emọ mieke na do gbegba vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, te iran gha ya egbe tae igiemwi esi ọghe evbibiẹ iran. Ne ima mieke na gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn, te ọ vbe khẹke ne ima ya egbe tae igiemwi esi ọghe etẹn ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Sokpan, ọ ma khẹke ne ima gha ya egbe tae emwa ni rhie aro tua emwi ikpakpa. (1 Kọr 3:1-4) Igiemwi ọghe emwa esi kevbe ọghe emwa ni zẹ utun vbe ehọ ẹre ọ rre Baibol. Sokpan vbe ako iruẹmwi na, ma gha ziro yan igiemwi esi ọghe emwa ni khẹke ne ima ya egbe ta, ne ima mieke na gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ma gha guan kaẹn Jekọb, Meri kevbe Jesu.

10. De vbene Jekọb ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ irẹn mudia gbain vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn?

¹⁰ Ma gha ka guan kaẹn Jekọb. Emwi ma  zẹdẹ gha khuẹrhẹ ne Jekọb vbe nọ vbe ye vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ. Vbe igiemwi, te Jekọb ghaa ya obọ baba uhunmwu ne Isọ ghẹ ya gbẹe rua. Yevbesọni, ọ na vbe gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe vbe egbe orhuan rẹn ighẹ Laban ne ọmwa ero, nọ wa gha hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne ọ mu e Jekọb ru. Vbuwe ena hia, e Jekọb na ye mudia gbain vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ọ keghi mu ẹtin yan eyan ne Osanobua yan ma Ebraham. De odẹ nọkhin? Ọ keghi hia vbene ẹtin ẹnrẹn sẹ ya gbaroghe ẹgbẹe ọre rhunmwuda ọ rẹnrẹn wẹẹ ẹgbẹe ọre ẹre Osanobua khian loo ya mu emwamwa rẹn sẹ. (Gẹn 28:10-15) Uyinmwẹ e Jekọb kevbe ẹmwẹ ne ọ ghaa ke ọre unu ladian rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ọ gele mu ẹtin yan eyan ọghe Osanobua. Vbe ẹghẹ ne ohan ya gha mu e Jekọb wẹẹ Isọ gha gbe irẹn rua, ọ keghi tama e Osanobua wẹẹ: “Lahọ, miẹn mwẹ fan . . . Yerre vbene u yan hẹ wẹẹ, ‘I gha gie emwi hia gha ma nuẹn, I gha vbe viọ ivbi uniẹn ruẹn nuẹn, ai ra sẹtin ka iran. Iran gha bun vbe ẹkhae ni rre ọkpẹn olokun.’” (Gẹn 32:6-12) E Jekọb wa gele mu ẹtin yan eyan ọghe Osanobua, ọ na vbe rhiẹre ma vbe odẹ ne ọ ya loo arrọọ ọghẹe.

11. Vbọ rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn ẹre Meri ghaa khin?

¹¹ Gia vbe guan kaẹn e Meri. Vbọzẹe ne Jehova na zẹ Meri nọ gha re iye Jesu? Rhunmwuda, ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn ẹre Meri ghaa khin. Vbe ima ya rẹn hẹ? Ẹmwẹ nọ maan nọ ya rho Osanobua vbe ọ mu otuẹ gie Zẹkaraia kevbe Ẹlizabẹt ẹre ọ ya ima rẹn. (Tie Luk 1:46-55.) Ẹmwẹ ne Meri ya rho Osanobua rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, te ọ wa gha gbọyẹmwẹ ye Ẹmwẹ Osanobua, erriọ wa vbe ya gha mwẹ irẹnmwi nọ dinmwi ọghe Ebe Nọhuanrẹn ne a ya urhuẹvbo e Hibru gbẹn. (Gẹn 30:13; 1 Sam 2:1-10; Mal 3:12) Yẹrẹro wẹẹ, agharhemiẹn wẹẹ Josẹf vbe Meri ru orọnmwẹ nẹ, iran ma ru emwi ọdọ vbe amwẹ a te miẹn ighẹ a biẹ Jesu. Vbe ọna rhiema? Ọ rhiema wẹẹ, ahoo ọghe Jehova ẹre iran mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe iran, ẹi re ahoo ọghe ikpakpa. (Mat 1:25) Ze vbene ẹghẹ ya gha khian, e Meri na gha kọe ye orhiọn ighẹ emwi hia nọ ghaa sunu vbe arrọọ e Jesu. (Luk 2:51) Te Meri wa gele gha gbọyẹmwẹ ye emwamwa ọghe Osanobua nọ dekaan e Mezaia. Igiemwi ọghe Meri gha ru iyobọ ne ima ya mu ahoo ọghe Osanobua ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe ima.

12. (a) De odẹ ne Jesu ya ya egbe tae Erhae? (b) De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Jesu? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

¹² Ke ne a ya bu agbọn tu agbọn gha dee, Jesu ọre ọmwa nọ ghi digiẹ sẹ vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Vbe ọ rre agbọn, Erhae ẹre ọ wa gha ya egbe ta. Vbene ẹmwata, emwi hia ne Jehova gha te ru akpawẹ irẹn ẹre tobọre rrie agbọn, ẹre Jesu ru. Ọ ma baeku. (Jọn 8:29; 14:9; 15:10) Vbe igiemwi, odẹ ne akhasẹ Azaia ya gie Jehova kevbe odẹ ne Mak ya gie Jesu rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, iran eva mwẹ agiẹngiẹn daa emwa ni susẹ. (Tie Aizaia 63:9; Mak 6:34.) Jesu keghi re ọmwa nọ mwẹ agiẹngiẹn, akpa na ẹre ọ ya re gha ru iyobọ ne emwa ni gualọ iyobọ. Ma mwẹ egbe ekhọe vberriọ ra? Te Jesu wa vbe rhiegba ye iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan. (Luk 4:43) Avbe akpa na keghi re ama ne a ya rẹn emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn.

13, 14. (a) De emwi ne ima miẹn ruẹ vbe igiemwi ọghe etẹn ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ? (b) Ru igiemwi yọ.

¹³ Etẹn nibun wa vbe rrọọ vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn ne ima gha sẹtin ya egbe ta. Jesu Kristi ẹre avbe etẹn na ya egbe ta. Ẹi mwẹ aro ruẹ ma he dae, vbene etẹn na mwẹ izọghae hẹ vbe iwinna ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan, ọghọ ne iran mu ye emwa egbe, ahoẹmwọmwa ne iran mwẹ daa emwa ọvbehe kevbe akpa esiesi ọvbehe ne iran mwẹ. Etẹn na keghi re emwa ni ma gba vbene ima vbe ye, iran mwẹ ọlọghọmwa ne iran werriẹ aro daa, sokpan iran keghi hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne iran gha ya egbe tae Osanobua. Ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa ne a tie ẹre Rachel nọ rre Brazil keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te odẹ ne emwa ni rre uwu agbọn ya mu egbe wa gha yẹẹ mwẹ, rhunmwuda ọnii, I ma zẹdẹ gha mu egbe ye oreghe. Sokpan I ghi la odẹ ọghe  ẹmwata nẹ, I na ru afiwerriẹ nọ khẹke, agharhemiẹn wẹẹ ọ ma zẹdẹ gha khuẹrhẹ. I na vbe hia ni do gha re ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Eban ẹre arrọọ mwẹ ghi mwẹ evbọ demu.”

¹⁴ Isievẹn ne ọtẹn nokhuo ọvbehe ne a tie ẹre Reylene ne ọ rre Philippines ghaa werriẹ aro daa keghi lughaẹn ne ọghe Rachel. Iwinna owa ebe nọ yo kevbe iwinna ne a na miẹn usugi igho, ne a mieke na gha re okpọmwa, ẹre ọ wa mu ọtẹn nokhuo na. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ze vbene ẹghẹ ya khian, I na gha de ghee iyeke vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Emwi ma ghi gha khian ẹse vbe arrọọ mwẹ rhunmwuda I ma ghi gha rhie aro tua emwi orhiọn. I na ghi ru afiwerriẹ ne I mieke na dọlegbe gha ga e Jehova vbe nọ khẹke.” Ọtẹn nokhuo na keghi fi iziro ọghẹe werriẹ, te ọ ghi mwẹ ilẹkẹtin yan eyan ọghe Jehova nọ rre ebe Matiu 6:33, 34. Ọ na ye vbe kha wẹẹ: “I mwẹ ilẹkẹtin ne ẹi beghe wẹẹ, e Jehova gha kpemehe emwi hia ne I gualọ.” Etẹn vbenian sẹtin vbe gha rre iko ne u ye. Te ọ khẹke ne ima gha ya egbe ta iran.—1 Kọr 11:1; 2 Tẹs 3:7.

15, 16. (a) De emwi ne ọ khẹke ne ima ru ne ima mieke na yevbe Jesu? (b) De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin do gha mwẹ “ekhọe Kristi” hẹ?

¹⁵ De vbene ima tobọ ima gha ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Kristi hẹ? Ebe 1 Kọrinti 2:16 khare wẹẹ, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha mwẹ “ekhọe Kristi.” Ebe Rom 15:5 na vbe kha wẹẹ ne ima “gha lele igiemwi Jesu.” Nọnaghiyerriọ, ne ima do sẹtin gha yevbe Kristi, te ọ khẹke ne ima gele rẹn vbene Jesu ru emwi hẹ kevbe avbe akpa nọ mwẹ ne ima mieke na sẹtin gha lele ukpowẹ ọre. Emwi ne Jesu wa rhie aro tua ọre asikẹgbe ne irẹn gu e Jehova mwẹ. Ma gha ya egbe ta e Jesu, ma ghi do khian Ọsie Jehova. Ọna ẹre ọ si ẹre ne ọ na khẹke ne ima gha mwẹ ekhọe ọghe Kristi.

¹⁶ Vbe ima khian ya sẹtin ru ọna hẹ? Aro erhuanegbe Jesu sẹ emwi ọyunnuan ne Jesu ru, odẹ ne ọ ya maa emwa emwi, obọ esi nọ ya gha mu emwa hia kevbe odẹ ne ọ ya gha lele iyi ọghe Jehova. Erhuanegbe Jesu keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ma ọrọre osẹe emwi hia ne ọ ru.” (Iwinna 10:39) Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, ma i bẹghe Jesu, sokpan, e Jehova ma gi ima do ogboi rua. Ebe enẹ ni taa okha ọghe vbene Jesu ya loo arrọọ ọghẹe hẹ rre Baibol. Ma ghaa tie ebe enẹ na—Matiu, Mak, Luk, kevbe Jọn, ima na vbe gha ru erria yan rẹn, ọ do yevbe ne ima bẹghe Jesu. Ọna ghi do ya ima gha mwẹ egbe ekhọe ọghe Jesu. Ọ ghi vbe ru iyobọ ne ima ya “gha lele ukpowẹ ọghẹe.”—1 Pit 2:21; 4:1.

17. De afiangbe ne ima khian lae miẹn deghẹ ima mwẹ egbe iziro ekhọe ọghe Kristi?

¹⁷ De afiangbe ne ima khian lae miẹn deghẹ ima na gha mwẹ egbe iziro ekhọe ọghe Kristi? Zẹ vbene evbare nọ maan ya rhie ẹtin ye ọmwa iwu, erriọ ima khian vbe ya deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn deghẹ ima ru erria yan odẹ ne Jesu ya ru emwi. Zẹ vbene ẹghẹ ya khian, ma ghi sẹtin gha yin vbe na ghee Jesu vbe ihe ke ihe ne ima na vba egbe ima. Ọna gha ru iyobọ ne ima ya gha ru azẹ nọ gha ya ima gha mwẹ ekhọe ọguọmwaziro nọ hianrẹn kevbe nọ ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn e Jehova. Avbe afiangbe na sẹ nọ gha ya ima gha lele ukpowẹ ọghe Jesu Kristi.—Rom 13:14.

18. De emwi ne u miẹn ruẹ vbe ako iruẹmwi na?

¹⁸ Zẹvbe ne ima nanaẹn dee sin, te ima ghi rẹn evba yae kha ne a gha re ọmwa nọ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ma vbe miẹn emwi ruẹ vbe igiemwi esi ọghe emwa ni deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Ma ye vbe ruẹ ọre wẹẹ, ma ghaa mwẹ “ekhọe Kristi,” ọ ghi ya ima gha mwẹ alaghodaro vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn. Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, asefẹn eso ye rrọọ ne ima gha ziro yan. Vbe igiemwi, vbe ima khian ya rẹn hẹ deghẹ ima deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn? De emwi ọvbehe ne ima gha ru ne ima mieke na wegbe sayọ vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn? Kevbe wẹẹ, de iyobọ ne ọ na gha ru ne ima vbe arrọọ ọghe ima? Ma gha miẹn ewanniẹn ọghe avbe inọta na vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ lele ọna.