2 Corinthians 7 - What is the Difference Between Being Sorry and Repentance?

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Corinthians 7

Whenever the word "therefore" is used in scripture it builds on something previously stated. In this case Paul says in light of God's promises, we should purify ourselves from anything that would contaminate us. "Perfecting holiness" means to continue the process of sanctification that God started in us when we were "born again" and received the Holy Spirit. Importantly holiness is not something we conjure up. It is a gift given that we continue to grow in because of what God has promised and done for us in Christ. We can't manufacture holiness. If we try it doesn't look pretty. 

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

Paul had written a hard letter calling the Corinthians to repent. Although he loved and cared for them, he knew God had called him to confront their sinful behaviors. Though his letter caused them sorrow, it was a sorrow that led to repentance.  This is a vert important distinction. Someone can be sorry for their sin, but it is sorrow that leads to repentance which God desires. 

Paul shows the benefits of godly sorrow, "See 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." 

 “Sorrow alone accomplishes nothing. Peter was sorry he denied Christ, and he repented. Judas was sorry he betrayed Christ but, instead of repenting, he killed himself.” (Smith)

Paul says something that may need clarification. 

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

This begs the question is Paul talking about the repentance which comes before someone becomes a Christian, or the repentance of someone who is already a Christian. Since Paul is writing about a specific sinful situation in the Corinthian church, the context lends itself to salvation applying to the believers as they repent. Salvation has two meanings in scripture. One is the salvation or deliverance from sin, which Jesus purchased on the cross for us. 

But salvation also means "healing". As godly sorrow leads us to repentance it leads to healing of our body and soul and our relationship with God. 

Repentance must never be thought of as something we must do before we can come back to God. Repentance describes the very act of coming to God. You can’t turn towards God without turning from the things He is against. “People seem to jump into faith very quickly nowadays. I do not disapprove of that happy leap; but still, I hope my old friend repentance is not dead. I am desperately in love with repentance; it seems to me to be the twin-sister to faith.” (Spurgeon)

When you get caught up in sin does your sorrow lead to repentance? Does your sorrow lead to a change of behavior, or is it just "sin maintenance"? How does godly sorrow that leads to true repentance bring healing in your life? 

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