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A GODLY SORROW (I)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
2 Corinthians 7:8-13
Matthew 27:3-5
 
“… but the sorrow of the
world worketh death.”
 
A GODLY SORROW (I)
 
Paul revealed in 2 Corinthians 7:8 that he took no joy in writing the severe letter to the Corinthian Christians. He did not mete out his rebuke like a harsh disciplinarian who seeks destruction. Rather, he was like a loving father disciplining his child. Thus, he had no regrets writing the severe letter even if it meant making the Corinthian Christians sorrowful for a moment, for it was for their spiritual welfare. Paul’s decision was vindicated, for the Lord led the Corinthians into godly sorrow for their sins. It was a godly sorrow, for it led to a true repentance of their sins.
 
On the other hand, the Scriptures also teach of a worldly sorrow over sins that leads to death. One example of this is Judas Iscariot. “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself ” (Matt 27:3-5). Though Judas sorrowed for his sins and regretted his actions, he did not go to Jesus for the cleansing of his sins. Instead, in the midst of despair, he decided to take his own life. This sorrow led him not to a saving faith and genuine repentance, but to death by suicide.
 
A second example of such worldly sorrow is that of King Saul. Saul was told of his coming death in the battlefield after his ill-conceived visit to the witch of Endor (1 Sam 28). While he was in the battlefield, he was heavily wounded by archers. Instead of repenting of his sins, Saul chose to fall upon his sword and take his life. In his pride, Saul chose to commit suicide (in an attempt to control the time of his death) than to genuinely repent of his sins. The child of God must never have such a petulant attitude towards his God.
 
THOUGHT: Have I truly repented of my sins?
PRAYER: Father, forgive me of my sins and restore me.

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