Why Disfellowshipping Is a Loving Provision - HOW CAN WE SHOW THAT WE LOVE DISFELLOWSHIPPING ONESa

It is a tragedy when someone is disfellowshipped. But it does not mean that he can never come back to Jehovah. It is important that all of us allow the discipline to work. How can we do that?

Elders always try to imitate Jehovah's love, especially when they have to tell someone that he is no longer one of Jehovah's Witnesses.  They kindly and clearly explain what he needs to do to come back to Jehovah and be a part of  the congregation again. If someone who has been disfellowshipped shows that he wants to come back to the congregation, the elders may visit him from time to time to remind him of what he can do to come back to Jehovah.

Family members show love for the congregation and the disfellowshipped  person when they support  the decision made by the elders. Julian explains, " He was still my son, but his lifestyle had put up a barrier between us."

All the congregation show true love to the disfellowshipped person by supporting the discipline that Jehovah has given him through the elders.  This means that they should not spend time with him or even talk to him.  (1 Corinthians 5:11; 2 John 10, 11)  Also, the congregation  should give extra love and support to the family  of the disfellowshippe one. This is a very difficult time for the family. We should never make them feel that they have also been excluded from the congregation. -Romans 12:13, 15. 

"Disfellowshipping is an arrangement that we need, one that helps us live according to Jehovah's standards,"  Julian concludes: "In the long run, despite the pain, it brings good results. Had I been tolerant of my son's bad conduct, he would never have recovered. 

Next time: Single-Parent Families Can Succeed -Single-Parent Families on the Rise

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