Godly Grief Produces

A Repentance

That Leads To Salvation

For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted in every way – disputes without and fears within. But God, who consoles the downcast, consoled us by the arrival of Titus, and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he has consoled about you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it (though I did regret it, for I see that I grieved you with that letter, though only briefly). Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance; for you felt a godly grief, so that you were not harmed in any way for us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but world grief produces death.

2 Corinthians 7:5-10

There are differences between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Paul praised the Corinthians for understanding this difference. His first letter to them was biting, as he addressed issues of sin. His words caused sorrow among them, and because of this Paul rejoiced. Why? Their sorrow did not stop at just feeling sad about getting caught or suffering the unpleasant consequences of their sins. Their sorrow was a godly sorrow, a genuine remorse for their sins. This led them to repentance – a change in their thinking that led to a renouncing of their sin and turning to God. Their repentance ultimately led to deliverance from their sinful habits.

Repentance is not something we can do unless we have the prompting of the Holy Spirit; it is a gift from God. Pray for repentance today.

Repentance means hating sin enough to turn from it.

Our Daily Bread – May 13, 2009