I'm SORRY................REALLY?

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2 Corinthians 7 Even 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— 9 yet 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. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

 Paul delineates two different kinds of sorrow.  When you feel bad about something you have done, you might feel bad and be "sorry".  Often this sorrow is something you brought on yourself by making a bad decision, or pursuing the wrong thing.  Sorrow can often be a feeling that makes you feel bad,  or causes you to isolate and withdraw from others.  The bottom line is that just because you feel "sorry" doesn't mean you are going to change your behavior that is causing your problem. Sorrow only by itself doesn't produce anything except bad feelings? 

 Paul contrasts this with "godly sorrow, which produces repentance".  The difference is godly sorrow compels someone to a change of behavior from what is causing the sorrow in the first place.  When Paul confronted the Corinthians in their immoral failures, he wasn't trying to make them feel bad.  He was trying to help them see how their behavior was not only bad for them, but put an ugly stain on the church.  Though it might have made them feel bad, he cared enough to speak the truth in love to them.  Eventually they got the point and saw his true motive and made the necessary changes.   

 It is the Holy Spirit who leads you to godly sorrow and repentance, but often the message can come through a friend, pastor, or other leader.  Think about times godly sorrow led you to repentance.  Though it might not have been pleasant at the time, I'm sure you can see the positive change it produced in your life, and how it was both beneficial to both you and those around you.  

 How many times has someone said to you they are sorry only to repeat the behavior?  How many times have you said sorry only to keep doing what you were sorry for?  I think if we are honest we would all admit we are guilty as charged.  

 But godly sorrow leads to repentance, which leads to salvation.  "Salvation" in this context means deliverance from that which was destroying our lives.  There is nothing wrong with being sorry, but make sure it is accompanied with a change of behavior. It will mean a lot more to God and those around you.  

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