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“If anyone commits a sin, we have a helper” (1 JOHN 2:1).
1. What is Jehovah's desire?
Jehovah wants everyone to make the decision to serve him, because he wants the best for them and wants them to enjoy his friendship and eternal life.
According to Deuteronomy 30:19, 20, Jehovah gives us the opportunity to choose between life and death. He encourages us to choose life by obeying Him, which reflects His love and desire for all to live forever.
Although Jehovah gives us freedom of choice, he guides us to choose what is right, because he knows that only by following his standards can we obtain true benefits.
2. What does Jehovah want those who have committed a serious sin and have not repented to do? (1 John 2:1)
If someone sins seriously and does not repent, he should be expelled from the congregation, but Jehovah expects him to eventually repent and return to Him.
1 John 2:1 shows Jehovah’s love in providing the ransom so that sinners can repent and be forgiven. His desire is for them to return to Him and repent.
Disfellowshipping is an act of love, designed to protect the congregation and motivate the sinner to reflect on his conduct and repent.
3. What will we see in this article?
This article explains how we should imitate Jehovah's view of sin and how to deal with those who commit serious sins in the congregation.
In 1 Corinthians 5, the apostle Paul teaches how the congregation should act in the face of serious sin, emphasizing that sincere repentance allows for the forgiveness and reintegration of the sinner.
Imitating Jehovah’s view of sin involves balancing justice and mercy, applying his standards with love and wisdom.
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).
A member of the congregation was committing a serious sin of sexual immorality, and the congregation was tolerating it rather than taking action.
In 1 Corinthians 5:1, 2, Paul points out that sexual immorality was so serious that even unbelievers would not tolerate it. This shows that tolerating sin damages the reputation of the congregation and goes against Jehovah's standards.
Tolerance of serious sin not only affects the person involved, but can negatively influence the entire congregation, making it necessary to take action to protect it.
5. What did Paul write to the congregation, and what did he mean? (1 Corinthians 5:13; see also image).
Paul instructed them to remove the unrepentant sinner from the congregation and not to associate with him to prevent him from negatively influencing others.
1 Corinthians 5:13 instructs that the unrepentant sinner should be cast out. This measure of discipline protects the congregation while also giving the sinner the opportunity to repent and change.
This separation is not a final punishment, but an action that seeks the repentance of the sinner and to safeguard the spirituality of the other members.
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?
The congregation at Corinth reacted positively, following Paul's instructions, leading the sinner to sincerely repent.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 shows that the sorrow caused by Paul's correction led the sinner to genuine repentance, highlighting the importance of discipline in the process of restoration.
The congregation’s right response and the sinner’s repentance demonstrate how loving discipline can restore one’s relationship with Jehovah.
HOW THE CONGREGATION SHOULD TREAT THE REPENTANT SINNER
7. What was accomplished by removing the sinner from the congregation? (2 Corinthians 2:5-8)
Taking out the sinner served its purpose by leading him to repentance, which ultimately resulted in his spiritual restoration.
In 2 Corinthians 2:5-8, Paul shows that the rebuke was effective, causing the sinner to repent, which is the goal of Jehovah's discipline.
Loving discipline is a tool for sinners to come to their senses and change, demonstrating that Jehovah always desires restoration, not destruction.
8. What did Paul then say to the congregation?
Paul urged them to forgive and comfort the repentant sinner, thus demonstrating Christian love and confirming that they had accepted him again.Best gifts for your loved ones
In 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul insists that forgiving the repentant sinner reflects Jehovah's love and mercy, encouraging the congregation to comfort and confirm their love for him.
Sincere forgiveness helps to heal emotionally both the sinner and the congregation, promoting unity and spiritual well-being.
9. Why might it be difficult for some to forgive the sinner who had repented?
Some may have had difficulty forgiving, as the sinner had caused harm to the congregation and perhaps to them personally.
In Luke 15:28-30, the prodigal son's older brother shows how it is sometimes difficult for some to forgive and welcome back those who have made serious mistakes, but Jehovah teaches us to be merciful.
Forgiveness is an act of love that reflects Jehovah's justice and mercy, and is necessary for everyone in the congregation to heal and move forward spiritually together.
10, 11. If the elders had refused to forgive the repentant sinner, what might have happened?
Had the elders not forgiven the repentant sinner, he might have been overwhelmed with sorrow and might have given up hope of regaining his friendship with Jehovah, even abandoning his spiritual efforts.
According to 2 Corinthians 2:10, 11, Paul warns that if the congregation did not forgive the repentant sinner, they would be allowing Satan to gain an advantage. By being cruel or harsh, the brothers would have acted more like Satan than like Jehovah, who is willing to generously forgive those who repent.
Not forgiving someone who has repented not only affects the sinner, but also endangers the spirituality of the congregation. Love and compassion are essential to reflecting Jehovah's point of view, who is always ready to show mercy to those who truly seek forgiveness.
12. How could the congregation imitate Jehovah?
The congregation could imitate Jehovah by being forgiving, treating them with the same love and mercy that God shows to those who sincerely repent.
In Isaiah 55:7, we are urged to turn the wicked man from his ways and return to Jehovah, who is willing to forgive generously. This shows Jehovah's compassionate heart, which the congregation was to reflect by welcoming the repentant sinner with open arms.
Forgiveness and mercy are key characteristics of Jehovah. By imitating him, we not only show that we have understood his point of view, but we also help repentant sinners feel that they can return to the congregation and continue to worship Jehovah with peace of mind.
13. Why was it the right decision to readmit the man? (See the box “When was the man from Corinth readmitted?”)
The decision to reinstate the man was correct because he had sincerely repented, and the discipline had served its purpose, motivating him to change his behavior.
In 2 Corinthians 2:9, Paul mentions that by forgiving the repentant man, the congregation was demonstrating their obedience in all things. Obedience to Jehovah’s instructions includes showing mercy when the time is right, reflecting his love.
Reinstatement of the man into the congregation not only helped him continue to strengthen his relationship with Jehovah, but it was also a valuable lesson for everyone in the congregation about the life-changing power of genuine repentance.
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.)
This case teaches us that Jehovah does not tolerate serious sin in his people, but it also shows that he is willing to forgive those who sincerely repent and wish to repair their friendship with him.
In 2 Peter 3:9, we are reminded that Jehovah does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to come to repentance. This principle was applied in the case of the man from Corinth, who was forgiven after genuinely repenting.
This story perfectly illustrates the balance between Jehovah's justice and mercy. Although sin is not tolerated, there is always an opportunity for people to change their behavior and receive divine forgiveness.
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?
Meditating on this case reinforces our gratitude for the love, justice and mercy of Jehovah, who forgives sinners who sincerely repent.
Psalm 33:5 highlights that Jehovah loves justice and righteousness, qualities He displayed in the case of the man in Corinth. This strengthens our desire to continue praising Him for His wisdom and love in dealing with repentant sinners.
This account comforts us by reminding us that even though we are sinners, Jehovah is willing to forgive us if we sincerely repent. It motivates us to continue striving to live according to his standards and to be grateful for the ransom sacrifice.
17. What will we analyze in the following articles?
Future articles will discuss how elders can imitate Jehovah’s love in helping sinners repent and how congregation members should respond to the elders’ decisions.
Romans 15:4 mentions that everything that was written was written for our learning. The next few articles will delve into how these biblical principles apply today when dealing with sinners in the congregation.
How we respond to the discipline and reinstatement of sinners demonstrates our understanding of Jehovah’s love and justice. It is therefore essential that we learn to imitate his viewpoint in all such situations.
HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?
What is Jehovah's desire for all people?
Jehovah desires that all people come to repentance and receive his mercy.
According to 2 Peter 3:9, Jehovah does not want anyone to be destroyed, but for everyone to come to repentance.
Jehovah always offers the opportunity for repentance, reflecting his desire that all may become part of his people.
When a man in Corinth did not repent of the sin he had committed, what did Paul tell the congregation?
Paul told them to cast out the man who had not repented of his sin.
In 1 Corinthians 5:13, Paul instructed the Corinthians to “put away the wicked man from among yourselves,” because his unrepentant sin endangered the entire congregation.
Discipline was necessary to protect the spiritual purity of the congregation and to give the sinner an opportunity to reflect and repent.
When the sinner repented, what instructions did Paul give to the Christians in Corinth?
Paul told them to forgive and welcome back the repentant man.
In 2 Corinthians 2:7, Paul urged them to comfort the repentant man so that he would not be “overly sad.”
Forgiveness and the support of the congregation strengthen the repentant sinner and help him restore his relationship with Jehovah.
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