Tag: godly sorrow
Healthy self-examination
Scripture reading for August 14: 2 Corinthians 13
“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did when present on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them–since you seek proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. For He was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but in dealing with you we will live with Him by the power of God. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Corinthians 13:1-6
Paul was writing to the Corinthian believers about church discipline of members who were living in known sin. Paul had evidently visited them before about the need to repent and the consequences of continuing in sinful relationships. In this letter, he was again warning them that they would not be spared from church discipline when he came to them in person again. Pastoral love flows to the believers through this honest communication and confrontation. God wants none to perish but all to come to godly sorrow leading to repentance and eternal life. (2 Corinthians 7:8-10) The absence of consequences to this point does not signify God’s weakness but His patience and long-suffering. Paul’s warnings were not out of weakness either, but done in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul encouraged all the Corinthian believers to do a healthy self-examination concerning their own confession of faith. Did they recognize Jesus Christ as indwelling them? Was Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior and only hope of forgiveness and eternal life? Had they humbly repented of sin and invited Christ’s Holy Spirit to live in them? If they failed this test they could quickly repent and again live by faith. Paul’s prayer and confrontation was done for their restoration, not their condemnation. He did not want to have to confront them in person but would rather rejoice with them that they had willingly responded in humility and repentance.
Has God used patience with you in dealing with besetting sins in your life? Have you experienced gentle pastoral correction or the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit prompting you to make changes? As you do a healthy self-examination today, what assurances of Christ’s pleasure and indwelling are evident?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for godly correction through the Holy Spirit and Word and through those in church leadership. Thank You for Your gentleness and drawing me to make changes. Help me to be gentle and Christ-like in dealing with those who may be going astray. Amen.
Life without regrets!
Scripture reading for August 6: 2 Corinthians 7
“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it–though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regrets. whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.” 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
As believers, we have the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. One of the benefits of the Spirit is the conviction of sin. As the Word of God is preached or read, the Holy Spirit takes that Word and brings conviction of sin which produces godly sorrow in the human soul. For unbelievers, this godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation and new birth. It has been said that truth is often negative in our first hearing. It produces sorrow and sometimes anger towards the one speaking. Believers also experience conviction through the Word of God and by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is grieved by sin and we feel that grief in the sorrow of feeling separated from God.
Paul admitted that he knew that his letter admonishing the believers to repent and forgive would cause some to grieve. He briefly grieved and regretted having to call them out. But now Paul was rejoicing because their godly grief had brought repentance and salvation and restored relationship with the Holy Spirit and God the Father. But some were just sorrowful that they were called out and did not repent. This group was headed towards death–eternal separation from God! True godly repentance brings earnestness to be cleared, holy fear of God and zeal for God’s will and leads to no regrets.
Have you ever experienced a godly sorrow over sin in your life that brought you to a change of heart and direction? Have you ever experienced worldly sorrow that brought no change? What are some of the possible regrets with simple worldly sorrow?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling me. I welcome the conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit producing godly grief enabling me to know I need to repent. Lord Jesus, keep me from worldly sorrow that leads to death and the weeping and gnashing of teeth in eternal regret. Amen.
Repentance with godly grief
Scripture reading for August 31st: 2nd Corinthians 7, Psalm 24, Proverbs 19
2nd Corinthians 7: 8-11 “For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it–though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a little while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.”
Paul had urged them earlier in his letter to forgive the brother who had been in gross immorality. (2nd Corinthians 2:1-9) He explained to them the working of ‘godly grief’ that leads to true repentance and a change of direction. Some people only experience ‘worldly grief’, which is being sorry that your wrong choice of action was found out. This kind of grief produces death, whereas, godly grief produces repentance and true salvation. Its fruit is eagerness to do what is right, willingness to discipline those who are in sin, and upholding the integrity of God’s Word. Since we are all sinners, we all need godly sorrow to produce the necessary repentance. God will give the repentant clean hands and a pure heart. A man of understanding will gain knowledge through reproof.
Psalm 24:3-5 “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending those who will reprove me in love when I have done wrong. Thank You for giving me ‘godly sorrow’ over my sins, bringing true repentance and life. As an elder in Your Church, help me to correct others with grace and tears, following the example of Jesus Christ and His apostles. Give our nation’s people this gift of godly sorrow over sins and true repentance leading to life.
Psalm 19:25 “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. ”
Godly sorrow leads to repentance!
Scripture reading for August 6th: 2nd Corinthians 7, Psalm 6, Proverbs 2
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 2:9-11 “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you proved yourselves innocent in the matter.”
Paul had sent a letter to the Corinthian church urging repentance from a sin that the church had committed. The letter was hard for him to write as he was concerned with how they would respond. But Paul wrote it anyway because they needed to respond. But Paul got a report of the church responding with godly sorrow and true repentance that lead to life and peace. He rejoiced in their decision and God’s grace proven by true actions resulting in changed behavior.
Faith Confession: I am thankful for life-giving rebukes by those who care for my soul. Lord help me to always respond with godly sorrow and actions of those who truly repent.
Proverbs 2:6-8 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints.”
Godly grief and repentance.
Scripture reading for August 6th: Psalm 72-75, 2nd Corinthians 7
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-11 “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.”
Paul was rejoicing because his difficult letter of correction had resulted in a godly grief over their sin and resulted in true repentance. Sometimes, people can have worldly grief. This is usually being sorry that they were found out. This results in no change of heart or mind and eventually spiritual death and eternal separation from God. Godly sorrow brings life and restoration.
Psalm 75:1-2 “We give thanks to You, O God; we give thanks, for Your Name is near. We recount Your wondrous deeds. “At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity.””
Prayer: Lord, correct me and convict me when I need it. Bring godly sorrow that leads me always to repentance and life. May I stand in Your grace when I face You as judge. Amen.
Thankful for conviction!
Scripture reading for May 26th: Job 39-42, Psalm 1
Key Scriptures: Job 42:1-6 “Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
When God came and confronted Job in answer to his request, God’s questions for Job caused him to humble himself and repent of his own questions and lack of understanding. Job took responsibility for his own sins and recognized that his nature was dust and ashes!
Thankful for conviction: The Gospel confronts us with knowledge of God and conviction of our own sinful ways, providing Christ’s mercy as the way of escape! “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” (2nd Corinthians 7:10-11)
Godly sorrow brings repentance!
Scripture reading for August 5th: 2nd Corinthians 7
Key scriptures for over-comers: 2nd Corinthians 7:9-11 “. . .yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.”
Repentance is a word that is not always understood in the Christian community. It is often associated with sorrow and sadness concerning something that has caused brokenness or harm to another or to us. Sometimes, we feel that the sorrow is what God wants and continue to live under a spirit of oppression or depression because of what we have done. But God wants to set us free from condemnation through conviction of sin which brings the ‘godly sorrow’ that leads us to Christ for His mercy and cleansing. This delivers us from guilt and shame and enables us to change our action, attitudes and character to be more like Christ!
Observations for over-comers: Repentance and cleansing are a part of normal growth in the lives of over-comers as we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us and separate us from sin and its grip on our lives. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from Your Presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:10-12)
Godly sorrow and repentance!
Scripture reading for August 6th: 2nd Corinthians 7
God had made amazing promises to His people! He promised to be a Father to them and to adopt them as His own sons and daughters. He would be their God and they would be His people! “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2nd Corinthians 7:1)
Paul pleaded with the church in Corinth to allow the promises of God to motivate them in pursuit of holiness. They were to break off unholy alliances with unbelievers and pursue everything that would please the Lord. They were to take the Word of God seriously. Sin contaminates body and spirit and hinders our relationship with God our Father. We must respect and honor Him enough to leave sin behind and pursue holiness.
Paul wrote to them to help them see areas that needed work. “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2nd Corinthians 7:8-10) When the Holy Spirit is at work through God’s Word, it produces sorrow for disobedience in the believer. This sorrow should produce repentance, a change of mind and action, that leads to holiness and life! Paul was now happy that the church members had responded properly. Have you experienced this ‘godly sorrow’ and truly repented?
Responding to correction!
Scripture reading for September 4th: 2nd Corinthians 7:8-16
According to Proverbs, the wise man loves discipline and receives knowledge from being corrected. Whoever hates discipline is just plain ‘stupid’. (Proverbs 12:1) In reality, most people don’t enjoy discipline and many don’t enjoy correcting others because it causes strife and conflict between people. Preachers have the task of correction and of teaching and preaching ‘truth’ from God’s word. This ‘truth’ is often not well received and brings anger to those who need the correction in their lives.
“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you be came sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2nd Corinthians 7:8-10) Paul’s letter to these Corinthians had brought correction in many matters. As a preacher, Paul felt bad that he made those who heard sorrowful about their actions and attitudes. He ended up happy because their sorrow led to repentance.
Repentance is the desire of God for His people. Paul had directed the Church at Corinth to put the immoral man out and turn him over to Satan. (1st Corinthians 5:3-5) His goal was that man’s salvation and the church’s purity. This instruction was hard and caused sorrow for many in that church, including Paul. However, this man was made sorry and brought to repentance. (2nd Corinthians 2:6-11) His repentance led to salvation and restoration back into the body! True repentance produces an eagerness to do what is right before God. This brings joy and encouragement to the whole church.
The church took this person back into the body and restored him. Paul was encouraged that they had listened to his wise counsel. (2nd Corinthians 7:12-13) Working through our problems by facing them God’s way is not always easy, but when we do it yields beautiful fruit.
Is there correction that God has given you that you need to respond to? Do you know a person who has responded by repentance that needs to be restored? Pray for God’s grace to obey!
Responding to correction!
Scripture reading for September 4th: 2nd Corinthians 7:8-16
According to Proverbs, the wise man loves discipline and receives knowledge from being corrected. Whoever hates discipline is just plain ‘stupid’. (Proverbs 12:1) In reality, most people don’t enjoy discipline and many don’t enjoy correcting others because it causes strife and conflict between people. Preachers have the task of correction and of teaching and preaching ‘truth’ from God’s word. This ‘truth’ is often not well received and brings sorrow to those who need the correction in their lives.
“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you be came sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2nd Corinthians 7:8-10) Paul’s letter to these Corinthians had brought correction in many matters. As a preacher, Paul felt bad that he made those who heard sorrowful about their actions and attitudes. He ended up happy because their sorrow led to repentance.
Repentance is the desire of God for His people. Paul had directed the Church at Corinth to put the immoral man out and turn him over to Satan. (1st Corinthians 5:3-5) His goal was that man’s salvation and the church’s purity. This instruction was hard and caused sorrow for many in that church, including Paul. However, this man was made sorry and brought to repentance. (2nd Corinthians 2:6-11) His repentance led to salvation and restoration back into the body! True repentance produces an eagerness to do what is right before God. This brings joy and encouragement to the whole church.
The church now was to take this person back into the body and restore him. They had done this and Paul was encouraged that they had listened to his wise counsel. (2nd Corinthians 7:12-13) Working through our problems by facing them God’s way is not always easy, but when we do it yields beautiful fruit.
Is there correction that God has given you that you need to respond to? Do you know a person who has responded by repentance that needs to be restored? Pray for God’s grace to obey!