Godly Sorrow

Godly Sorrow

Bible: 2 Corinthians 7:5-10

Reading

Now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance (V.9).

Thieves stole nearly £5,000 in sound and office equipment from a church, only to break in the following night to return everything they had taken. I guess the guilt they felt from stealing from a church was so bad that they had to give it all back. Their actions make me think about the differences between everyday guilt which “brings death”, and “godly sorrow” (because we want to make things right), which “brings repentance” (2 CORINTHIANS 7:9).

Paul was pleased with the church at Corinth for understanding this difference. His first letter to them was hard for them to read, as he talked to them about big issues they had that needed sorting. His words caused deep sadness among them, and Paul was thankful because of this. Why? Their sadness did not stop at just feeling guilty about getting caught or sad that they had to suffer the consequences. Their sorrow was godly sorrow, a real regret for their sins. This led them to repentance—a change in their thinking that resulted in them turning from their selfish, independent ways and focusing back on God and what He was doing. Their repentance ultimately led to a total change in how they lived.

Repentance is not making up for the things we’ve done wrong or trying harder next time. It’s about turning to God, relying totally on His forgiveness and giving everything (including the consequences of what we’ve done wrong) to Him.

REPENTANCE MEANS HATING SIN ENOUGH TO TURN FROM IT.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries