17. When others have been hurt by our sins, what does Jehovah expect us to do?

¹⁷ Although we are not under the Mosaic Law, it gives us precious insight into Jehovah’s mind, including his thinking on forgiveness. (Colossians 2:13, 14) When others have been hurt or victimized by our sins, Jehovah is pleased when we do what we can to ‘right the wrong.’ (2 Corinthians 7:11) This involves acknowledging our sin, admitting our guilt, and even apologizing to the victim. Then we can appeal to Jehovah on the basis of Jesus’ sacrifice and experience the relief of a clean conscience and the assurance that we have been forgiven by God.—Hebrews 10:21, 22.

19, 20. (a) If you have committed wrongs, why should you not feel that you are beyond the reach of Jehovah’s mercy? (b) What will be discussed in the next article?

¹⁹ How refreshing to know that we serve a God who is “ready to forgive”! Jehovah sees more than our sins and mistakes. (Psalm 130:3, 4) He knows what is in our hearts. If you feel that your heart is broken and crushed because of past wrongs, do not conclude that you are beyond the reach of Jehovah’s mercy. Despite what mistakes you may have made, if you have truly repented, taken steps to right the wrong, and earnestly prayed for Jehovah’s forgiveness on the basis of Jesus’ shed blood, you can have full confidence that the words of 1 John 1:9 apply to you: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”