For godly sorrow produces a salutary repentance without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NABRE
Paul is writing to the community in Corinth and in this particular section he is joyful about their repentance. Paul has written to them in an earlier letter and Paul’s emotion in that letter challenged them so deeply that they turned away from their previous ways to a change of mind. Paul notes this change and speaks to them about what he sees as two different kinds of sorrow. The first sorrow is “godly sorrow” which produces a salutary repentance and “worldly sorrow” which produces death. On one hand “godly sorrow” the sorrow that is according to God’s will, is rooted in the recognition that our sinful thoughts, words, actions and omissions offend God, adversely affect others and hurt ourselves. When we show “godly sorrow” we have authentic repentance, that is inner sorrow and resolve to make real change in life. The fruit of repentance in this case is salutary, meaning it leads to salvation. On the other hand “worldly sorrow,” is sorrow that refuses to recognize God. It is sorrow that is self-centered, blaming others, with no regrets of one’s own behavior. This kind of sorrow leads to no growth, and no repentance. Paul says this kind of sorrow leads to death, which includes bitterness, anger, unhappy emotion in life and eventually to real death, without salvation.
Living as though there is no God we are dependent on our own ability and skills, which has limits. Living with our eyes fixed on God allows unlimited grace to accomplish whatever we need to accomplish. When we depend on God we’ll live with a pure heart, recognize our wrong doing, seek forgiveness and turn away from sin. For Paul this is “godly sorrow” which builds on God’s grace.
Do you live knowing God? DO you see grace in your life?
Living as though there is no God we are dependent on our own ability and skills, which has limits. Living with our eyes fixed on God allows unlimited grace to accomplish whatever we need to accomplish. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #sorrow #life #Paul #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways