HOW THE ELDERS ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE REMOVED

 Is the individual who has been removed from the congregation abandoned-left completely on his own to find his way back to Jehovah? By no means! When informing of an unrepentant wrongdoer that he will be removed from the congregation, the committee of elders will explain to him what steps he can take to return to the congregation. But the elders will do even more. In most case, they will tell the wrongdoer that they would like to meet with him again after a few months have passed to see if he has had a change of heart. If the wrongdoer is willing to meet with them again, the elders will at that subsequent meeting make a warm appeal for him to repent and return. Even if he has not had a change of heart at that time, the elders will make periodic efforts to contact him in the future.

The elders strive to reflect Jehovah's compassion as they deal with someone who has been removed from the congregation. For example, Jehovah did not wayward people in ancient Israel to take the first step. Rather, he took the initiative to reach out to them even before they showed any signs of repentance. As noted in the second article in this series, Jehovah illustrated his compassion by telling the prophet Hosea to offer reconciliation to his wife, who still sinning. (Hosea 3:1; Malichi 31:7) In imitation of Jehovah, Christian elders genuinely want the wrongdoer to return, and they do not make it difficult for him to do so. -Read JEREMIAH 3:12.

Next time: HOW THE ELDERS ASSIST THOSE WHO ARE REMOVED

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