Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Friday March 11, 2022
We must bear the weaknesses of those who are not strong (Rom. 15:1).
Once they return, the inactive ones need us to continue to help and encourage them. They may be in intense emotional pain, like the lost son in Jesus' parable (Luke 15:17-24). And since they come from Satan's world, they will surely be spiritually weak. Therefore, we have to help them renew their faith in Jehovah. In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus says that the shepherd carries it on his shoulders and leads it back to the flock. The pastor has already spent time and energy looking for her. But he knows that he will have to help her return because she will not have the strength to do it alone (Luke 15:4, 5). We may have to devote time and energy to helping some inactive people become spiritually strong again. For this we have the spirit of Jehovah, his Word and the publications provided by his organization. So,if the elders ask us to help an inactive person, let us gladly accept. w20.06 28 paras. 14, 15.
What do you learn from what an old man named Thomas says?
In the case of the elders, what steps can they take to find those who want to return to Jehovah? Consider the account of an elder from Spain named Thomas.* He has helped more than forty Witnesses return to the congregation. He says, “First, I ask various brothers and sisters if they know where the inactive now live. Or I ask the publishers if they remember any brothers who no longer attend the meetings. Most are happy to collaborate when involved in the search. Later, when I visit an inactive brother or sister, I ask about their children or relatives. Some inactive ones brought their children to meetings, and these children may have become publishers. They, too, can be helped to return to Jehovah.”
As we read in Luke 15:17-24, how did the father treat his repentant son?
What qualities must we show if we want to help those who want to return to Jehovah? Let's see what lessons the parable of the lost son teaches us (read Luke 15:17-24). Jesus says that the son ends up coming to his senses and decides to return home. The father runs to meet him and hugs him lovingly to assure him that he still loves him. The young man has many regrets and thinks that he no longer deserves to be called his son. The father is touched to see that his son opens his heart to him and is repentant. So he organizes a banquet and orders that they give him clothes of the best quality. In this way, you show him that you do not receive him as one of his workers, but as a beloved member of the family.
What qualities must we have to help the inactive return to Jehovah? (See sidebar “How to Help Those Who Want to Return.”)
Jehovah is like the father in this parable. He loves our inactive brothers and wants them to return to him. If we imitate it, we can help them return. For this we must have patience, empathy and love. Why do we need these particular qualities, and how can we demonstrate them?
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