"For even if I [Paul] made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance." - 2 Corinthians 7:8-10
There is a song by Elton John about being sorry. It is hard so hard for people to say they are sorry. Having regret for something they said or did. You know what I mean - we all have been there - maybe we are still there. What keeps us from saying we are sorry is most often pride, I think. Perhaps it is a result of something that was done to you and you did something back. Something hurtful. And you are not sorry but perhaps feel justified.
Actually, saying you are sorry is not the hardest thing to do. Words are cheap as they say. Meaning you are sorry is. True sorrow leads to repentance. Meaning that you no longer harbor malice in your heart. Whatever you did, you don't do again. I am certain you know people that will say they are sorry and then do the same thing again. Abusers are like that. There is no repentance - no change - just words tossed out like a balm to ease the conscious of the offender. Some of you will remember the movie, Love Story. There is a classic line in it, "Love is never having to say you're sorry." Remember that? Not true. Love will compel you to say you are sorry and then to demonstrate the reality of that sorrow by what you do.
Godly grief or sorrow on the part of the offender leads to repentance or change. That change happens in the heart and is demonstrated by how that person then behaves. You and I experienced godly sorrow on the day that we were born again. It was godly sorrow that we felt when we yielded our hearts to God by faith in Jesus. We repented which led to salvation.
As a Christian, you have a spiritual capacity that the lost do not have. They must rely on themselves in all of their relationships. We, on the other hand, rely on the Spirit of God and our faith to do what we cannot. When Jesus would tell someone to "Go and sin no more", they were incapable of doing that on their own.
"the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." - Galatians 5:22-26
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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