Thursday, June 15 I will discipline you to the proper degree.​—Jer. 30:11.

[Áine]

Thursday, June 15

I will discipline you to the proper degree.—Jer. 30:11.

 

A Christian in Corinth was living immorally with his father’s wife. The apostle Paul directed the Corinthians to disfellowship him. That man’s immoral conduct was affecting others in the congregation, some of whom were not even ashamed of his outrageous behavior! (1 Cor. 5:1, 2, 13) Sometime later, Paul learned that the sinner was truly repentant! Paul told the elders: “Kindly forgive and comfort him.” Note Paul’s reason: “So that he may not be overwhelmed by excessive sadness.” Paul felt pity for the repentant man. The apostle did not want to see the man so overwhelmed, so crushed, by what he did that he would give up on seeking forgiveness. (2 Cor. 2:5-8, 11) In imitation of Jehovah, the elders love to show mercy. They show firmness when necessary but mercy when possible if there is a real basis for it. Otherwise, it is not mercy but permissiveness. w21.10 11-12 ¶12-15

[Wayne]

Even under the pressure of having committed a serious sin, Jehovah knows the heart of the truly repentant one and would not want to see the one so overwhelmed, so crushed, by what he did that he would give up on seeking forgiveness. 2 Cor. 2:5-8, 11