Scripture:
2 Corinthians 7:10-13 ESV
[10] For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. [11] For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point, you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. [12] So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. [13] Therefore, we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Observation:
In second Corinthians, Paul continued to teach the church of Corinth about repentance and what it really looks like. His statement at the opening of this paragraph gives a stark contrast between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow. By showing them the difference between the 2, he is encouraging them that they had taken the right steps to correct the issues that had been brought to the apostles’ attention. By being made aware that these situations needed to be changed, the church of Corinth took action to do something about it. They didn’t hesitate. The suggestions that Paul made in his first letter were put into motion. Paul was making sure that they knew that they had done the right thing…although it may have felt hash at the time it brought about the change that was nessesrey for true salvation to take place. Being caught up in the controversy that had been going on left some stains on the church that the leaders of Corinth had to do their best to clear up, and they put forth every effort to do so. They were not trying to be known as the sexually immoral lawsuit stricken divided church, so when the problems were brought to their attention, they did all they could do to correct them quickly. If you take the time to read the letters to the Corinthian church, you can see that Paul wanted what was best for everyone, and although it may have seemed harsh, the action taken brought about repentance not only in the church leadership but in the individuals that were confronted with the behavior issues. When it was brought to the individuals attention that what they were doing was not bringing glory to the father. Those individuals knew they had to do something to change how they were living. However, the individuals were not the reason for the letter. Paul saw fit to write the church because the problems ran deeper than just the people who had been caught in sin. The problems were with the church condoning that sin. Acting as if it were all okay when, in reality, it was bringing a bad name to the church. Paul’s correction brought about true repentance, and therefore exposed the godly sorrow that was felt by not only the individuals involved but also the church leadership as well, and he saw fit to commend them for their swift actions to fix the issues and took specific notice of Titus and the change that the correction brought in his life.
Application:
I can’t tell you how many times I have been sitting in the back of a cop car with those nice silver bracelets that were so tight my hands were turning purple begging GOD to get me out of this one and promising never to do it again only to get out of it and find myself right back in the same situation a short time later. If I tell the truth, I wasn’t sorry for what I had done…I was only sorry that I had gotten caught. You might say I’m a little hard-headed. My sorrow was worldly and produced no repentance. It wasn’t until later in life that after destroying many relationships, my family, and caring little about anyone but myself that GOD was able to get my attention through harsh correction of my behavior. HE was able to point out to me how truly selfish and self-centered I clearly had been. Through not only my addiction but all the behaviors that went along with it. Here is what it took to get my attention. I was in a program called Teen Challenge. It was a 13-month discipleship program for men who struggled with life controlling issues. Truly bible based and much like the Hope Center that Cross Point Church sponsors. They had several different vocational training programs that helped support the ministry. The one that I had been placed at was a thrift store. Where I would sort through the donations and set them out on the floor for pricing. One day, while going through the donations, I found a watch. It was not a cheap one. In fact, they told me it was worth over $200. This shiny object caught my attention, and I couldn’t see it anywhere, but in my possession. So, I made an attempt to steal it. To make a long story short… I got caught. The program offered me some discipline that included not being able to see my daughter for her birthday, which was about 2 or 3 weeks away. I don’t have to tell you that my daughter is very important to me, and I was unwilling to accept the discipline. So after being caught and corrected in the best way, they knew how… I chose to leave the program. Although you might think that a tremendous failure, I want to tell you it wasn’t. You see, GOD has a wonderful way of bringing about repentance, and although I was able to attend my daughters birthday. I was unable to live anywhere close to her for a long time, or so it seemed. I poured myself into the bible and found Ephesians 4:28. That says if anyone is a thief, let him stop stealing and work hard so that he may have something to give. GOD used that verse to expose my selfish, self-centered nature and show me who I was. Let me tell you something… it changed my life. All of a sudden, I was made aware of all the shiny things that the old me felt entitled to and removed from those who owned them. So this is my confession. I was a drug addict who stole to support my habit. The situation at Teen Challenge exposed that to me, and the correction was made in my life as the result of godly sorrow. If you know me personally, you know that the person who walked out of that program is not the person that I am today. I am not sorry I got caught. I’m truly sorry for what I did and all the people that it affected. My life is different now… If you know me, that is clear to you, and if you just know of me, let me tell you how things have changed. First and foremost, I don’t steal anymore. In fact, I am quite the opposite. I don’t even like to buy things for myself. I find it much easier to meet someone else’s needs than my own wants. Don’t get me wrong, shiny things still catch my attention, but my selfish nature has turned into selfless action. The company that GOD has placed under my care is used to disciple men to live for Jesus through their daily lives, and the money that is made from it doesn’t go into a bank account here on earth. It’s used to meet the needs of others. If you know me, you know this. I’m not sorry I got caught… I’m truly sorry for my self-centered nature… and I pray all the time that the old man stays in the tumb and the new man that GOD has forged by fire be a light in the community in which HE has placed me in… godly sorrow will bring about a changed life, and the evidence of that will be seen. My hope is that anyone who has taken the time to read this will see that GOD wastes nothing. Even your mistakes can be used to bring about a change in you and others. So take a good, hard look at who you are with and without him and make the necessary changes so that your life brings glory to the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS.
Prayer:
Father, you are so absolutely amazing. The way you mold and shape us is by far beyond our own understanding at times. Your love for us clearly can not be truly understood by human explanations. You know how to wait for just the right moment to bring about the desired changes in our lives that will lead us to a closer relationship with you. Help us to see where our lives need to be shifted to line up with how you desire us to live. You are good in every way, and we have a tendency to be flawed to the core. Our nature is selfish, but with your Holy Spirit, you can bring about selflessness in us… and honestly, that is what we are asking for… we don’t want more of us. We want more of you. Fill our cups to overflowing with your Holy Spirit so that the changes you have made in us can be a light in our community. Help us to crucify our flesh and its desires and to feed the spirit man that lives as the result of a relationship with you. We honestly just want to thank you that we do not have to live the life we used to, and we can’t express enough gradatude for the price that you have paid for our wretched souls. May the changes that you have made be everlasting… who the son sets free is free indeed. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.