Daily Bread 2010 - 2 Corinthians 8-13
8Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13By all this we are encouraged.
In this chapter Paul introduces the concept of “godly sorrow”. From a young age we are taught by our parents to say that we are “sorry”, when we do something wrong. For some people it is harder than others to admit when you are wrong and to say “I’m sorry”. Oftentimes we try to defend ourselves, deny what we done, or minimize the things we have done wrong.
But Paul characterizes “godly sorrow” as a different kind of “sorry”. It is produced when the Holy Spirit convicts that we have done something wrong and offended God. It may involve something we have done to someone else, but the sorrow is toward God first. It is at this point where we can either “repent” or turn from the activity or behavior that is causing us “godly sorrow”, or continue or even deny it. In the case of the Corinthians, they were “bad mouthing” Paul saying, he says one thing in his letters but is another person when he shows up face to face. Paul confronts them on this behavior in a private letter to them and through the process of experiencing godly sorrow they are restored in their relationship with God and Paul.
Have you experienced this type of godly sorrow that leads to repentance? It is kind of like when you know you’ve upset your parents or someone you love and there is a sick feeling in your stomach. But this is even deeper and more intense. I think it is the work of the Holy Spirit doing the work of sanctification in our lives. Though it is not pleasant at the time, it produces the work of holiness in us. It roots out areas of our life that need to come under God’s control for us to bear fruit.
It is helpful to have a Paul in your life who cares enough about you to confront you in areas where godly sorrow is needed to produce a change of life pattern.
Dear Jesus help us to know the things that produce a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Give us people like Paul in our lives to remind us when we need to return to You and experience the eagerness that comes with an open heart and willing mind. In Your name we pray, Amen.
In this chapter Paul introduces the concept of “godly sorrow”. From a young age we are taught by our parents to say that we are “sorry”, when we do something wrong. For some people it is harder than others to admit when you are wrong and to say “I’m sorry”. Oftentimes we try to defend ourselves, deny what we done, or minimize the things we have done wrong.
But Paul characterizes “godly sorrow” as a different kind of “sorry”. It is produced when the Holy Spirit convicts that we have done something wrong and offended God. It may involve something we have done to someone else, but the sorrow is toward God first. It is at this point where we can either “repent” or turn from the activity or behavior that is causing us “godly sorrow”, or continue or even deny it. In the case of the Corinthians, they were “bad mouthing” Paul saying, he says one thing in his letters but is another person when he shows up face to face. Paul confronts them on this behavior in a private letter to them and through the process of experiencing godly sorrow they are restored in their relationship with God and Paul.
Have you experienced this type of godly sorrow that leads to repentance? It is kind of like when you know you’ve upset your parents or someone you love and there is a sick feeling in your stomach. But this is even deeper and more intense. I think it is the work of the Holy Spirit doing the work of sanctification in our lives. Though it is not pleasant at the time, it produces the work of holiness in us. It roots out areas of our life that need to come under God’s control for us to bear fruit.
It is helpful to have a Paul in your life who cares enough about you to confront you in areas where godly sorrow is needed to produce a change of life pattern.
Dear Jesus help us to know the things that produce a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Give us people like Paul in our lives to remind us when we need to return to You and experience the eagerness that comes with an open heart and willing mind. In Your name we pray, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment