“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10
On my journey of repentance and surrender to the Lord, I reached a point where I thought I was genuinely ready for change. I met with an intake officer to request a drug rehabilitation program instead of a jail sentence. He told me that if
I wanted to get in, I needed to be honest. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion. Through tears, I began confessing to him all the addiction-related crimes I’d committed.
Though my sorrow was a step in the right direction, I understand now that this moment of grief was simply regret for the trouble I’d found myself in. It was complete panic for what was ahead. I wasn’t grieved over my rebellion against God or my sins against others.
The difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow is that the latter is born out of an awareness of our depravity and God’s holiness. It’s not the result of merely hating sin’s consequences. One leads to renewal and healing, the other to more pain. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, for the love of you and me, and to pay for our sins in full.
I wanted to get in, I needed to be honest. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion. Through tears, I began confessing to him all the addiction-related crimes I’d committed.
Though my sorrow was a step in the right direction, I understand now that this moment of grief was simply regret for the trouble I’d found myself in. It was complete panic for what was ahead. I wasn’t grieved over my rebellion against God or my sins against others.
The difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow is that the latter is born out of an awareness of our depravity and God’s holiness. It’s not the result of merely hating sin’s consequences. One leads to renewal and healing, the other to more pain. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, for the love of you and me, and to pay for our sins in full.
Scripture Focus
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
Insight
Lord, I pray that You continually teach me godly sorrow for my sins. Make my repentance genuine so that I grow in Your grace. Amen
Bible In A Year
- Exodus 23-24
- Psalm 37
- Luke 1