2 Corinthians 7:10
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
We seem to view all sorrow the same way....as something to be avoided. But there is a difference in worldly sorrow, and Godly sorrow.
Worldly sorrow is self focused and does not lead to change. It leads to more self centered sorrow. It produces the self pity that makes us all victims.
Godly sorrow, on the other hand, is God focused and brings us to something vital to salvation...and that is repentance. "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge." (Psalm 51:4)
It is important to realize that Godly sorrow is not repentance...but it leads to it. Godly sorrow is the catalyst that moves us to agree with God's judgement, and change direction, and that is repentance.
To the women caught in adultery Jesus said “...neither do I condemn you,” then He said “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11) We eagerly accept that we are not condemned, but sometimes miss the call to repent. Repentance means we change the reason, and the way we live.
You do not change so you can be saved....you are saved so you can be changed.
The power of the Holy Spirit is what brings repentance, frees you from sin, and allows you to become "a new creation".
There is no way to overemphasis the importance of that fact. If we try to change on our own power, we fall back into worldly sorrow, and continue downward until something dies.
Agree with God. Accept His judgement. Accept His loving Grace.
....then allow His Spirit to lead you to repentance and a life that reflects the trans-formative power of the cross.
"The wonderful news is that our Lord is a God of mercy, and He responds to repentance."
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