Come Be My Follower - Jehovah's Witnesses Official Media Web Site

“JESUS...LOVEDTHEMTOTHEEND” 169
ers. Why? Unlike Jesus, we are imperfect—as are those
who may sin against us. From time to time, we all stumble
in word and in deed. (Romans 3:23; James 3:2) By forgiving
others when there is a basis for mercy, we clear
the way for our own sins to be forgiven by God. (Mark
11:25) How, then, can we demonstrate a readiness to forgive
those who may sin against us? In many cases, love
helps us to overlook the minor sins and shortcomings
of others. (1 Peter 4:8) When those who have wronged
us are sincerely repentant, as Peter was, surely we want
to imitate Jesus’ willingness to forgive. Rather than holding
a grudge, we wisely choose to let go of resentment.
(Ephesians 4:32) By doing so, we contribute to the peace
of the congregation as well as to our own peace of mind
and heart.—1 Peter 3:11.
Demonstrating His Trust
15 Love and trust go hand in hand. Love “believes all
things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7) Moved by love, Jesus demonstrated
a willingness to trust his disciples despite their
imperfections. He had confidence in them and believed
that at heart they really loved Jehovah and wanted to do
His will. Even when they made mistakes, Jesus did not
question their motives. For example, when the apostles
James and John evidently got their mother to request
that they sit beside Jesus in his Kingdom, Jesus did not
doubt their loyalty or dismiss them as apostles.—Matthew
20:20-28.
This, of course, does not mean that love is gullible or naive. It
means, rather, that love is not unduly critical or suspicious. Love refrains
from hastily judging the motives of others or concluding the
worst about them.
15. Why did Jesus trust his disciples despite their shortcomings?