This morning in my devotions I read an interesting verse that I wanted to share. It’s from II Corinthians 7. Paul is telling the church at Corinth that his first letter to them made them sorry, but it led them to repentance and for that he was glad. They had changed their minds, and lives, because of the letter he had written to them concerning the sins that they were committing. II Cor. 7:10 says “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” That is so true. How many times I have been under conviction during a sermon, or in my devotional reading for the day, and been so sad! Sad that I had let myself enjoy a particular sin, or neglect my walk with the Lord, or any number of things I do wrong daily! I feel almost depressed as I go to Him and ask forgiveness. I am ashamed and embarrassed. Yet, He forgives me (I John 1:9) and forgets (Ps. 103:12)! I can get up from that spot of repentance and start anew! As the verse says, salvation cannot be repented of – once you get saved you’re saved, once you sincerely ask God to forgive you, He forgives you! You can’t change it! However, the sorrow of the world leaves you hopeless. Alcohol can’t ease the pain forever, drugs can’t, friends can’t – they only mask your problems for a while. You may find temporary relief, but it’s only temporary. Jesus saves forever! When trials come, He is with me forever!
I am so thankful for “godly sorrow”. I am so glad that my sorrow does me some good – it leads me to go to God and get right. And boy, I have to get right all the time!