We must attach neither too much nor too little importance to our love for Jesus.
How does that work?
It works well through fear and ignorance. JWs are taught not to love, and taught to
downplay the role of Christ. Many call
him “the ransom” – true, but very sterile.
I was thinking how the name “Jehovah”
is used much more than “Father”. “Jehovah” is said to be a friend; a father can
be a friend, but the true love between a father and a son has no limits. If Jesus and the Father are “one”, (John 10:30)
and we are to honor the Son as we honor the Father, (John 5:23) wouldn’t our love for both have no bounds? JWs are to “imitate Jehovah”. I doubt God regulates how much love He has
for His Son. If the leadership feels love for Christ must
be bridled, kept in check, where is their scriptural proof.
Their choice of John 16:27 doesn’t cut it.
“neither too much nor too little”. Right in the middle – neither hot nor
cold. Tepid. Synonyms:
dull, halfhearted, unenthusiastic, apathetic, disinterested…lukewarm.
I personally, would never underestimate Christ’s reaction on
the matter, upon his return.
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold
(invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you
were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm
(spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My
mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because
you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and
have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable
and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need]
I counsel you to buy
from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire
so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing
righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will
not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you
may see. 19 Those whom I [dearly and
tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults
and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your
inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s
will]. Rev 3:15-20