Godly Sorrow
by Angie Fotsis
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
Did you know that the Bible talks about two different ways that we can be “sorry?” One of them is according to the will of God and the other is not. One of them produces repentance and the other death. One of them casts itself at the mercy of God and the other anywhere but.
Have you ever felt sorry about something, but never turned from that sin? Maybe you were sorry about the consequences that you had to face? Maybe you were sorry that you got caught? Maybe you were broken over the fact that you hurt someone? You were genuinely sorry for what you had done, but it didn’t necessarily lead you to repentance. It didn't lead you to God. This is the sorrow of the world - where the presence of sorrow alone is the indicator that all is well. And this is deception that leads to death. It leaves you in your sin without a solution.
The sorrow according to the will of God produces repentance. Repentance is not just penitence or regret of my own evil or sin. A truly repentant heart sees its sin in light of the splendor and majesty of a holy God and recognizes how short it has fallen. It feels the weight of breaking God’s heart. It realizes that the solution to its brokenness is found outside of himself and only in God. The key to genuine repentance is both a turning away from sin and toward God, who alone, can offer forgiveness, mercy, and restoration.
Now it can be tricky because both sorrows can produce a turning away from sin. Both can cause us to stop doing what we feel sorry about, but not both can produce the repentance in line with what Paul is talking about. You can stop doing wrong and still not really be operating out of godly sorrow. The turning away from sin is not the end of the matter. Thats called behavior modification and that never brings about eternal life. No matter how “cleaned up” someone can get, it still isn't enough against the standard of God. It still results in death. The impetus for change cannot come from ourselves, nor can it come from any other religion or movement. Jesus is the only answer.
When Jesus ushered in the Kingdom His message was ‘repent and believe in the gospel because the Kingdom of God is at hand’ (Mark 1:15). He was calling people to turn away from ruling their own lives and enter the Kingdom where God will rule over their lives. Sin and death and the sorrow that follows are the products of a self-ruled life which is governed by the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). The solution is and always will be repent (change your mind about ruling your own life) and by faith enter into the realm where Jesus rules over you. Under His rule is where we find not only forgiveness for the sins we feel sorrow over, but the power for true freedom, inexpressible joy, peace that surpasses understanding, and the like. Godly sorrow that leads to repentance will always cause us to relinquish control over our own lives and submit to Jesus as King. This is an ongoing process until the day we die (sanctification) - from glory to glory and faith to faith.
As we pray and fast, may the Lord grant us godly sorrow that leads to true repentance because of his kindness and love. May we work together with His gentle and loving Spirit to submit to His ways over our own. Thank you Jesus for providing a way out of our mess and into your heart.
P.S. Pray for me. I just found out I have Covid.
“For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10
Did you know that the Bible talks about two different ways that we can be “sorry?” One of them is according to the will of God and the other is not. One of them produces repentance and the other death. One of them casts itself at the mercy of God and the other anywhere but.
Have you ever felt sorry about something, but never turned from that sin? Maybe you were sorry about the consequences that you had to face? Maybe you were sorry that you got caught? Maybe you were broken over the fact that you hurt someone? You were genuinely sorry for what you had done, but it didn’t necessarily lead you to repentance. It didn't lead you to God. This is the sorrow of the world - where the presence of sorrow alone is the indicator that all is well. And this is deception that leads to death. It leaves you in your sin without a solution.
The sorrow according to the will of God produces repentance. Repentance is not just penitence or regret of my own evil or sin. A truly repentant heart sees its sin in light of the splendor and majesty of a holy God and recognizes how short it has fallen. It feels the weight of breaking God’s heart. It realizes that the solution to its brokenness is found outside of himself and only in God. The key to genuine repentance is both a turning away from sin and toward God, who alone, can offer forgiveness, mercy, and restoration.
Now it can be tricky because both sorrows can produce a turning away from sin. Both can cause us to stop doing what we feel sorry about, but not both can produce the repentance in line with what Paul is talking about. You can stop doing wrong and still not really be operating out of godly sorrow. The turning away from sin is not the end of the matter. Thats called behavior modification and that never brings about eternal life. No matter how “cleaned up” someone can get, it still isn't enough against the standard of God. It still results in death. The impetus for change cannot come from ourselves, nor can it come from any other religion or movement. Jesus is the only answer.
When Jesus ushered in the Kingdom His message was ‘repent and believe in the gospel because the Kingdom of God is at hand’ (Mark 1:15). He was calling people to turn away from ruling their own lives and enter the Kingdom where God will rule over their lives. Sin and death and the sorrow that follows are the products of a self-ruled life which is governed by the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). The solution is and always will be repent (change your mind about ruling your own life) and by faith enter into the realm where Jesus rules over you. Under His rule is where we find not only forgiveness for the sins we feel sorrow over, but the power for true freedom, inexpressible joy, peace that surpasses understanding, and the like. Godly sorrow that leads to repentance will always cause us to relinquish control over our own lives and submit to Jesus as King. This is an ongoing process until the day we die (sanctification) - from glory to glory and faith to faith.
As we pray and fast, may the Lord grant us godly sorrow that leads to true repentance because of his kindness and love. May we work together with His gentle and loving Spirit to submit to His ways over our own. Thank you Jesus for providing a way out of our mess and into your heart.
P.S. Pray for me. I just found out I have Covid.