2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV
We sin, and as such, we must repent, just as should all people. In the experience of sin, Christian or not, repentance is required. And we who know Christ, if we commit sin, until we repent. Repentance is not sorrow for sin which results from the inconvenience of being “found out”. Repentance is a change of the will with regard to sin. It means I will leave it behind me and not return to it.
Recognition of the sin must be acknowledged before God and so must His will for our life. Repentance does not take us from God, but toward God. Worldly sorrow comes from the viewpoint of worldly consequences. Worldly sorrow does not look to God for pardon. They look to the world for their value, and when they are disgraced among people, or see their names tarnished, and comforts erased, they grieve. But this type of sorrow ends right here in the world. It destroys peace, it breaks the spirit. It leads to eternal death.
Repentance that leads to salvation moves us toward life; life here in its fullness and life eternal with our God. All the primary steps of obeying the Gospel such as faith, repentance, confession and baptism all lead toward salvation, God, Christ and the remission of our sins, forever.
This verse is really interesting, to think about grieving over sin in different ways. There’s God’s way to do that, and there’s a world way to do that. A Godly way to grieve, and a worldly way to grieve.
Godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation. So get the picture of Godly grief here. It’s acknowledging sin, it’s feeling sorrow over sin, a grieving over sin.
Worldly grief, though, is different. Worldly grief may acknowledge sin, and may even feel sorrow over sin, but it’s not sorrow over hurting someone else and ultimately sorrow over disobeying God.
Maybe it’s sorrow over getting caught. Maybe it’s sorrow over the effects of sin in one’s life, the pain that sin causes. But it never really reaches this grief before God. This sorrowful realization that one has offended the Holy God of the universe, disobeyed Him, and many times hurt others in the process.
In a way that leads to running to the mercy of God, pleading for his forgiveness. And not just for His forgiveness, but for power to turn and not sin again. To live with righteousness and holiness for the glory of God.
Worldly grief misses all of that. And in that way, worldly grief produces not repentance that leads to salvation and life, worldly grief produces death.
How different God's way is from the world's way. God's way challenges sin, brings about repentance without regret, cleanses, forgives, and returns us into His life giving sanctification highway, while the unsaved are buried in guilt, shame, regret, and remorse, with no forgiveness and a road that leads them to the dungeons of death.
May we be ready and willing to be challenged for our wrongdoing and quick to respond so we may grow in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, for His praise and glory!!!
Father thank You this day and for the gift of abundant life we have in Your Son Jesus. Lord there is so much to learn from Paul's two letters to the Corinthians who were challenged because of their sin and brought to deep sorrow before You, leading them to a repentance without regret and setting them back on the sanctifying pathway. Lord we pray that we may be ready and willing to be corrected of any wrongdoing and turn from any sinful acts quickly so that we may be returned into fellowship with You and continue along the path of daily sanctification. Lord we pray that we may grow in grace and in a knowledge of You from this day forward, for Your praise and glory. Lord use my friend to love as You love others unconditionally today. Be a blessing. Love ya
Father we love You amen !
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