Scripture

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from Ssn and results in salvation. There’s no regret in that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results spiritual death.

Observation

Paul is not sorry that he sent his severe letter to the Corinthians. He was sorry at first because he caused them pain. But the pain caused them to repent and change their ways, so Paul is now glad.

Godly sorrow leads us away from sin and towards God. But worldly sorrow has no repentance and results in spiritual death.

In the case of the Corinthians, godly sorrow produced earnestness and zeal.

Titus was also happy about the way they received him. Paul’s boasting to Titus about the Corinthians proved true.

Application

There are two ways in which we can be sorry about sin – the world’s way and God’s way.

In the world’s way, people may be sorry even remorseful for their sin. This relates to the consequences of being caught or feelings of guilt. They might be sorry for their sins, but do not relate it to God. Worldly sorrow leads to death it misses repentance.

Repentance is the acknowledgement that my sin is offensive to God. The Greek word means literally to change our thinking. What we once considered to be good or pleasurable we now recognise is evil in God’s eyes. Therefore we make a decision to leave that sin in order to stop displeasing God.

Godly sorrow contains this idea of repentance. We recognise that our sin separates us from God, and we desire to return to fellowship with Him.

We need to repent of our sins daily. This is not a one-off at the start of the journey, but a life long process of course corrections as we seek to follow the Lord.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I recognise that my sins are offensive to you. I repent now and ask you to forgive me Amen.