1. What promise does Jehovah make to sinners who repent?
Jehovah is our Creator, Lawgiver, and Judge, but he is also our loving heavenly Father (Ps. 100:3; Isa. 33:22). So when we sin against him and repent from our hearts, not only can he forgive us, but he wants to (Ps. 86:5). Through the prophet Isaiah, Jehovah made a comforting promise. He said, “Though your sins be as scarlet red, they will be white as snow” (Isa. 1:18).
2. What must we do if we want to be at peace with others?
Because we are imperfect, we all do and say things that offend others (Jas. 3:2). But this does not mean that we cannot have good friendships. The key is learning to forgive (Prov. 17:9; 19:11; Matt. 18:21, 22). Jehovah expects us to forgive those little frictions that arise between us (Col. 3:13). And we have good reason to do so. After all, he generously forgives us (Is. 55:7).
3. What will we analyze in this article?
In this article we will discuss how we, though imperfect, can follow Jehovah's example by forgiving others. What sins should we report to the elders? Why does Jehovah want us to forgive one another? And what can we learn from some brothers who suffered a lot because of other people's sins?
WHEN A CHRISTIAN COMMITS A SERIOUS SIN
4. (a) What should a Christian who has committed a serious sin do? b) What responsibility do elders have?
When someone commits a serious sin, it is necessary to inform the elders. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 we find some examples of serious sins. This kind of sin is a serious violation of God's law. If a Christian commits such a sin, he should pray to Jehovah for forgiveness and talk to the elders of the congregation (Ps. 32:5; Jas. 5:14). What responsibility do the elderly have? Only Jehovah has the authority to completely forgive sins, and he does so on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice. * However, God has given the elders the responsibility to decide with the help of the Scriptures whether or not the sinner can remain in the congregation (1 Cor. 5:12). For it,One of the things they do is try to answer these questions: Did the person plan to commit the sin? Did he try to hide it? Was he committing the sin for some time? And more importantly, has she shown that she is truly sorry? Is there evidence that Jehovah has forgiven her? (Acts 3:19).
5. How does the work of the elders benefit the congregation?
When the elders meet with the person who has sinned, their goal is to make the same decision on earth that has already been made in heaven (Matt. 18:18). How does this benefit the congregation? Well, if the sinner does not repent, he is not allowed to continue in the congregation, and thus Jehovah's precious sheep are protected from his bad influence (1 Cor. 5:6, 7, 11-13; Titus 3:10, 11). He can also help the person who has sinned to repent and seek Jehovah's forgiveness (Luke 5:32). The elders pray for the person who repents, asking Jehovah to help him regain spiritual health.—Jas. 5:15.
6. Explain whether a disfellowshiped person can receive Jehovah's forgiveness.
Let us think of a sinner who is not repentant when he meets with the elders. In that case, he will be expelled from the congregation. And, if he has violated the laws of the country, the elders will not protect him from the consequences. Jehovah has given the authorities permission to judge and punish anyone who breaks the law, whether he is repentant or not (Rom. 13:4). But if the person later comes to his senses, repents from the heart and changes his way of thinking and acting, Jehovah is ready to forgive him.— Luke 15:17-24. This is so even if he committed very serious sins (2 Chron. 33:9, 12, 13; 1 Tim. 1:15).
7. What does it mean to forgive someone who has sinned against us?
Isn't it a great relief not to have to decide if Jehovah will forgive a sinner? Even so, there is something that we do have to decide. What is it about? Someone who has sinned against us, even gravely, may apologize and ask for our forgiveness. Or maybe he doesn't. In any case, we can make the decision to forgive him, that is, to get rid of the resentment and anger that we may feel towards that person. The truth is that this may take time and cost us, especially if they have done us a lot of damage. The Watchtower of September 15, 1994 says: “Forgiving a sinner does not mean excusing his sin. For the Christian, forgiveness means confidently leaving the matter in Jehovah's hands. He is the just Judge of the entire universe, and he will do justice in due time.” Why does Jehovah want us to forgive and leave the matter in his hands, that is, trust in his justice?
WHY JEHOVAH WANTS US TO FORGIVE
8. How do we show that we appreciate Jehovah's mercy?
When we forgive, we show that we appreciate Jehovah's mercy. In a parable, Jesus compared Jehovah to a master who forgave a huge debt to a slave who could not pay him. But that slave showed no mercy to a fellow slave who owed him much less money (Matt. 18:23-35). What did Jesus want to teach? That if we truly appreciate the immense mercy Jehovah shows us, we will feel compelled to forgive others (Ps. 103:9). Speaking on this subject, The Watchtower explained many years ago that no matter how many times we forgive others, our forgiveness will never equal “the forgiveness and mercy that God extends to us through Christ.”
9. To whom does Jehovah show mercy? (Matthew 6:14, 15).
If we forgive, Jehovah will forgive us. He shows mercy to the merciful (Matt. 5:7; Jas. 2:13). Jesus made that idea clear when he taught his disciples how to pray (read Matthew 6:14, 15). Jehovah had already highlighted that idea in the days of Job. This faithful servant of God had had to put up with hurtful comments from three men: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Jehovah commanded Job to pray for them. And when Job did, Jehovah rewarded him (Job 42:8-10).
10. Why does holding a grudge hurt us? (Ephesians 4:31, 32).
Holding a grudge hurts us. Resentment is like a burden, and Jehovah wants us to take that weight off our shoulders (read Ephesians 4:31, 32). He advises us: “Put aside anger, give up fury” (Ps. 37:8). Following this advice benefits us because resentment is bad for physical and mental health (Prov. 14:30). Holding a grudge against someone is like taking poison: we only hurt ourselves. So when we forgive others, we give ourselves a gift (Prov. 11:17). We feel at peace and can continue to serve Jehovah.
11. What does the Bible say about revenge? (Romans 12:19-21).
We leave revenge in Jehovah's hands. Jehovah has not given us permission to take revenge on those who sin against us (read Romans 12:19-21). Because we are imperfect and our vision is so limited, we do not have Jehovah's ability to judge matters well.— Heb. 4:13. Also, sometimes we let our feelings cloud our reason. James wrote by inspiration: "The wrath of man does not produce the justice of God" (Jas. 1:20). We can be sure that Jehovah will do what is right and see to it that justice is served.
12. How do we show that we trust in Jehovah's righteousness?
When we forgive, we show that we trust in Jehovah's justice. If we leave matters in his hands, we show that we are convinced that he will repair all the damage that sin has caused. In the new world he has promised, emotional wounds will never again “be remembered or come to the heart” (Isa. 65:17). But is it really possible to get rid of anger and resentment when someone has hurt us a lot? Let's see how some have achieved it.
ILLUSTRATION:
The words “Things of the past shall not be remembered” from Isaiah 65:17 appear next to two sisters who hug each other and have a look of relief on their faces.
We must get rid of anger and rancor, and leave matters in the hands of God. He will repair all the damage that sin has caused. (See paragraph 12).
HOW FORGIVENESS BENEFITS US
13, 14. What does the experience of Tony and José teach you?
Many of our brothers decided to forgive even people who hurt them a lot. How has doing so benefited you?
Let's look at the case of Tony, * who lives in the Philippines. Many years before he became a Jehovah's Witness, he lost one of his older brothers. He found out that he had been killed by a man named Joseph. Since Tony was aggressive and violent, he wanted revenge. José was put in prison for the crime he had committed. When José got out of jail, Tony swore that he would find him and kill him, so he bought himself a gun. But then he started taking Bible classes with Jehovah's Witnesses. He remember:“As I studied, I learned that I had to change my way of being. I had to get rid of the anger.” Tony was baptized and eventually became an elder in his congregation. How surprised he was when he learned that Joseph had also become one of Jehovah's Witnesses! When they met, they gave each other a big hug and Tony told José that he had forgiven him. Tony says that he has no words to describe the overwhelming joy he felt when he forgave Joseph. This Christian knew how to forgive, and Jehovah blessed him for it.
15, 16. What does Peter and Sue's experience teach you?
In 1985, Peter and Sue were at their meeting at the Kingdom Hall when a violent explosion suddenly occurred. A man had planted a bomb in the Hall. Due to her severe injuries, Sue lost her sense of smell and suffered permanent damage to her sight and hearing. * This couple often wondered, "Who could have done such a terrible thing?" Many years later, the culprit, who was not a Jehovah's Witness, was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. Peter and Sue were asked if they had forgiven him, and they replied, “Jehovah teaches us that feeling anger and resentment can hurt us physically, emotionally, and mentally. So, from the very beginning, we asked him to help us get rid of anger and resentment to move forward.”
Has it been easy for this couple to forgive? Not always. Let's see what they say. “From time to time we feel angry again when Sue suffers from the aftermath of what happened. But, as we try not to dwell on the matter, those feelings quickly disappear. Moreover, we can say with our hearts in our hands that, if one day that man became our brother, we would welcome him to Jehovah's people. This experience has taught us that Bible principles really do take a lot of weight off our shoulders. They liberate us much more than we imagine. We also take comfort in knowing that Jehovah will soon make amends.”
ILLUSTRATION:
Peter holds up the photo of the Kingdom Hall that was destroyed by a bomb. In another photo Peter and Sue are seen happy.
The example of Peter and Sue shows that we can leave behind anger and resentment. (See paragraphs 15 and 16).
17. What does Myra's experience teach you?
Myra met Jehovah when she was already married with two small children, but her husband did not accept the truth. Over time, he was unfaithful to her and abandoned her family. Myra remembers: “When my husband left us, I was in shock. He had the mixture of feelings that many who suffer a betrayal feel: distrust, pain, regret, guilt and anger ”. Although her marriage was over, the pain of betrayal was still alive. Adds Myra: “I continued to feel this way for months, and I realized that it was hurting my relationship with Jehovah and with others.”Now, Myra can say that she doesn't feel that rage anymore and that she doesn't wish anything bad on her ex-husband. Rather, she hopes that one day he will accept the truth. Myra focuses on the future, not the past. Although she had to raise her two children alone in the truth, she today enjoys serving Jehovah with them and their families.
JEHOVAH IS THE PERFECT JUDGE
18. Since Jehovah is the Supreme Judge, what can we be sure of?
Since Jehovah is the Supreme Judge, we do not have to worry about deciding how others will be judged. He will take care of that. What a relief! (Rom. 14:10-12). We can be completely sure that he will always judge by his perfect standards of right and wrong (Gen. 18:25; 1 Kings 8:32). He will never do anything that is unfair.
19. What will Jehovah’s perfect justice accomplish?
Jehovah will fully repair all the damage that sin and imperfection have caused. How we long for that day to come! He will forever heal all our physical and emotional wounds (Ps. 72:12-14; Rev. 21:3, 4). In fact, they will fall into oblivion. As he arrives on that day, let us cherish the ability Jehovah has given us to follow his example in forgiving others.
WHAT DO THESE TEXTS TEACH US ABOUT FORGIVENESS?
Matthew 6:14, 15
If we forgive, Jehovah will forgive us. He shows mercy to the merciful
Ephesians 4:31, 32
Holding a grudge hurts us. Resentment is like a burden, and Jehovah wants us to take that weight off our shoulders.
Romans 12:19-21
We leave revenge in Jehovah's hands. Jehovah has not given us permission to take revenge on those who sin against us.
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