Devotions: Godly Sorrow

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 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Paul was here referring to a previous letter, where he had confronted the Corinthians about their sin. They were born again Christians, but they were living like those who knew nothing of Christ. Paul’s letter brought a sorrow on the church which grieved them deeply, but it was a godly sorrow because it resulted in repentance. The sorrow of the world is one which focuses on self, on being proved wrong without repentance, one of regret without change. Godly sorrow leads to salvation, worldly sorrow does not. Sin should cause us to grieve because it grieves God. His holiness cannot be in the presence of sin, it is extremely offensive to Him. If we ignore sin we are ignoring what hurts God, what caused Jesus to die on the cross. Part of being a Christian is giving up the things of the world (living in sin) and becoming like Christ (sinless). That does not mean that we will be perfect, but that we will seek and diligently pursue perfection, not for the sake of perfection or status but to please God and be like Him. If we truly love God, our sin will bring about this godly sorrow. If it doesn’t, it may be proof that we are not saved, or at least that we have become so worldly that we are calloused to the things of God. When confronted with your sin, ask God’s forgiveness and turn away from that sin. Allow it to grieve you so that you are transformed by God and then leave it behind. Don’t remain in regret. If your sin does not bother you, or if you have no desire to remove it, ask God to work in your heart, to soften you so that your heart is more aligned with His.

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