Jehovah Blesses Those Who Forgive

 "Just as Jehovah forgave you, you must also do the same." -  COLOSSIANS 3:13.

ALTHOUGH Jehovah is our Creatore, Lawgiver, and Judge, he is also our loving heavenly Father.  (Psalm 100:3; 33:22)  When we sin against him and are sincerely repentant, his is not only able but also eager to forgive us.  (Psalm 86:5) Through his prophet Isaiah, Jehovah gave this warm assurance: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made white as snow." - ISAIAH 1:18.

Because we are imperfect, we all say and do things that offend others.  (James 3:2)  That doe snot mean, however, that we cannot enjoy close relationships with them. We can if we learn to be forgiving.  (Proverbs 17:9; 19:11; Matthew 18:21, 22)  When we hurt one another in small ways, Jehovah wants  us to forgive.  (Colossians 3:13) We have good reasont to do so.  After all, Jehovah freely forgive us "in a large way." - ISAIAH 55:7.

In this artcile, we will consider how imperfect humans can imitate Jehovah's forgiveness.  Which sins must we being to the attention of the elders?  Why does  Jehovah encourages us to forgive others? And what can we learn from some of our fellpow believers who suffered greatly because of the sins of others?

Next time: Jehovah Blesses Those Forgive - WHEN A CHRISTIAN COMMITS A SERIOUS SIN

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