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“If anyone commits a sin, we have a helper” (1 JOHN 2:1).
1. What is Jehovah's desire?
Jehovah has given us the ability to decide and his desire is that we use that gift to dedicate ourselves to him. Jehovah does not force anyone, but extends his loving invitation for us to choose to follow his ways, just as in the case of Israel reflected in Deuteronomy 19:20, this freedom of choice that Jehovah gives us is a reflection of the respect that God has for his creatures.
Galatians 6:7,8 shows that our choices determine our future and those who choose to sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life. Therefore, Jehovah's desire is for all of us to attain salvation and enjoy his friendship.
2. What does Jehovah want those who have committed a serious sin and have not repented to do? (1 John 2:1)
Jehovah, in his infinite love, takes no pleasure in discipline, but he considers it necessary when a member of the congregation commits a serious sin and shows no repentance. By removing an unrepentant sinner from the congregation, the spirituality of the congregation is protected. However, the ultimate goal of this action is not to punish, but to help the sinner reflect on his conduct and repent.
1 John 2:1 highlights that Christ acts as an advocate before Jehovah, interceding for those who sin, which underlines Jehovah's love and desire for forgiveness. In addition, other biblical texts show how Jehovah is always willing to receive those who sincerely repent.
3. What will we see in this article?
We will take a tour that aims to help Christians understand and apply Jehovah's view of serious sins. First, we will examine the case of a sinner in the Corinthian congregation, recorded in 1 Corinthians 5.
Secondly, it will be discussed how after the sinner showed genuine repentance, Paul recommended lovingly readmitting and restoring his position in the congregation, as stated in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8.
Finally, we will analyze how Jehovah views those who commit serious sins, highlighting his desire for them to repent and be restored as long as they make an effort to change and leave their bad behavior behind.
HOW A CASE OF A SERIOUS SIN WAS HANDLED IN THE FIRST CENTURY
4. What was happening in the Corinthian congregation? (1 Corinthians 5:1, 2).
The case of immorality in Corinth was one of the reasons Paul wrote his first letter to this congregation. The immoral relationship between a member and his stepmother not only violated Jehovah's moral laws, but also challenged the cultural norms of the time, even among nonbelievers. This behavior was contaminating the congregation's morality and good name.
The Corinthians' tolerant response shows that they did not fully understand the seriousness of sin and its effects. Paul had to correct them to make them see that true God's mercy is no excuse for tolerating blatant sin, but that in some cases discipline is needed to maintain the purity of the congregation. Tolerance of sin could lead others to follow the wrong example, which is something that Paul and Jehovah wanted to avoid.
5. What did Paul write to the congregation, and what did he mean? (1 Corinthians 5:13; see also image).
In this text Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they should remove the wicked man from among you. With these words he was not only referring to a physical expulsion from the congregation, but to the interruption of all social relations with the sinner.
First, in 5:1 Paul specifies that the brothers were not even to eat with him, since this would imply a close, familiar relationship. The importance of this instruction lies in the influence that one unrepentant sinner could have on others. Paul was concerned that tolerating the behavior of one sinner could damage the morality of the entire congregation.
ILLUSTRATION
The apostle Paul writes on a scroll. By inspiration, Paul wrote to the Corinthians to remove the unrepentant sinner from the congregation. (See paragraph 5.)
6. What effect did Paul’s letter have on the congregation and on the sinner?
Paul's letter was crucial in helping both the congregation and the sinner. The brothers in Corinth followed the apostolic instructions, understanding that by putting away the unrepentant sinner, they were protecting the purity of the congregation.
This action not only strengthened the unity among the members, but also allowed them to see the importance of obeying Jehovah, at the same time the sinner showed genuine repentance, a profound change in behavior and attitude, this process was precisely what Paul wanted the sinner to reflect on and sincerely repent.
HOW THE CONGREGATION SHOULD TREAT THE REPENTANT SINNER
7. What was accomplished by removing the sinner from the congregation? (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)
In these texts Paul mentions that the rebuke given by the congregation was sufficient and achieved the desired effect of the sinner recognizing his error and changing his behavior. This process, although painful for the sinner and for the Congregation, is part of the loving method that Jehovah uses to help his servants return to the right path.
Hebrews 12:11 highlights that Divine discipline, although momentarily painful, has a peaceful end and produces good results in those who accept it.
8. What did Paul then say to the congregation?
Paul made it clear to the Corinthians that the repentance of the sinner must be accompanied by forgiveness and comfort from the Congregation.
In 2 Corinthians 2:7,8, he insists that they not only forgive him, but also comfort him and confirm their love. This shows that discipline is not only intended to correct, but also to restore and strengthen the sinner once he repents. By confirming their love, the congregation follows the example of Jehovah, who not only forgives, but also joyfully receives those who sincerely repent.Best gifts for your loved ones
9. Why might it be difficult for some to forgive the sinner who had repented?
Some brothers in the congregation at Corinth may have had difficulty forgiving the repentant sinner; their bad decisions not only affected their relationship with Jehovah, but could also have hurt some brothers personally.
This could have generated feelings of resentment or a sense of injustice especially among those who were trying to continue obeying Jehovah. However, Christian love and Jehovah's example teach us to forgive and receive with affection those who repent, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:11. Discipline can be painful but its fruit is peaceful and righteous.
10, 11. If the elders had refused to forgive the repentant sinner, what might have happened?
2 Corinthians 2:7 mentions the risk of a person becoming overwhelmed by excessive sadness. If the congregation had acted harshly, they would have stopped reflecting the mercy of Jehovah, whose desire is to forgive those who sincerely repent. In addition, the Brothers would have endangered their own spirituality by not imitating God's love.
Paul warned them in 2 Corinthians 2:10,11, that they should forgive so that Satan would not take advantage of the situation, thus preventing them from becoming instruments of spiritual destruction.
12. How could the congregation imitate Jehovah?
In Psalm 86:5, David emphasizes that Jehovah is always good and willing to forgive those who sincerely repent. Micah 7:18 presents Jehovah as a God incomparable in his ability to forgive.
Isaiah 557 reinforces this message by urging sinners to return to Jehovah. Therefore, refusing to forgive would be imitating Satan, who is relentless and cruel, but by demonstrating Jehovah's generous forgiveness the congregation would not only protect its unity, but would also strengthen the spirituality of its members.
13. Why was it the right decision to readmit the man? (See the box “When was the man from Corinth readmitted?”)
The reinstatement of the man from Corinth was a wise decision, because it reflected Jehovah's balance of justice and mercy. Paul insisted that the congregation should show love and forgiveness to the repentant sinner, following the example of God who forgives generously.
In 2 Corinthians 2:9 Paul mentioned that obedience in all things included forgiving and comforting the repentant, although the time since his expulsion was short, it seems that the man's repentance was sincere and deep, which is the most important thing for his restoration.
WHAT WE LEARN FROM JEHOVAH'S JUSTICE AND MERCY
14, 15. What can we learn from the way this case of serious sin was handled in the Corinthian congregation? (2 Peter 3:9; see also image.)
As mentioned in 2 Peter 3:9 and Ezekiel 33:11, Jehovah's goal is for people to repent and be saved. When the sinner in Corinth showed genuine repentance and changed his ways, Jehovah through Paul instructed the congregation to forgive him and welcome him back.
This restoration process illustrates that forgiveness and mercy are available to those who sincerely repent. Therefore, although Jehovah is merciful, he is not permissive, nor does he lower his moral standards, allowing an unrepentant person to remain in the congregation would put the spirituality and purity of all its members at risk.
ILLUSTRATION
At the Kingdom Hall, a sister hugs another sister who has just been readmitted. Others approach with joy. The congregation imitates Jehovah’s love and mercy by welcoming those who are readmitted with open arms. (See paragraphs 14 and 15.)
16. How do you feel about Jehovah as you reflect on how the case of that serious sin was handled in Corinth?
As Psalm 33:5 shows, Jehovah loves justice, but his justice goes hand in hand with his love.
The discipline applied to the sinner in Corinth did not have a punitive purpose, but rather a restorative one, and this highlights Jehovah's great mercy. When reflecting on this case, one feels moved by Jehovah's love for all his servants, since although we are all sinners, he is willing to forgive us when we sincerely repent.
17. What will we analyze in the following articles?
We will discuss how elders can imitate Jehovah's love in dealing with a person who has committed a serious sin, examine the process by which elders can help such a person repent, and examine how they can balance justice with mercy when making difficult decisions.
Additionally, there will be a discussion on how congregation members should react if the elders decide to disfellowship someone for not repenting or to readmit a repentant sinner.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
What is Jehovah's desire for all people?
Jehovah desires that all people choose to dedicate themselves to him, enjoy his friendship, and live forever.
When a man in Corinth did not repent of the sin he had committed, what did Paul tell the congregation?
Paul told them that they should remove the unrepentant man from the congregation in order to protect the spiritual purity of the Congregation.
When the sinner repented, what instructions did Paul give to the Christians in Corinth?
Paul told them that they should forgive him, comfort him, and confirm their love for him, so that he would not feel overwhelmed by sadness.
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