Godly vs. Worldly Sorrow (2 Cor 7)

“For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death” (vs10)

Perfect or perform holiness in the fear of God.  Don’t think, “Saved by grace, my behavior is secondary”, but know that salvation by grace makes us graciously extend Christ to others, and be about this, from the heart - “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, accomplishing holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor 7:1).

Paul is real towards us, and we’re to take him as an example. He doesn’t minister to hurt, but being loved of God, He loves people.  He doesn’t have the mind of, “I’ll just say it, and if it hurts, too bad”, but he weeps inwardly as he says things to help, though they hurt the brothers, now - “For though I made you sorrowful with a letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it: for I perceive that the same epistle has made you sorry, though it were but for a season.  Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing.  For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death“ (2 Cor 7:8-9).   

There is a difference between the sorrow God gives and the sorrow of the world. The world’s sorrow leads to reformation, but not regeneration. It leads to changing your ways to the eyes of men, but never cleansing by the blood and Spirit.  The religion of the world and the sorrow of the world works death, for men never trust Christ, and like Judas, they perish COMFORTING themselves FALSELY (Matt 27:3-5).

The gospel gives a sorrow that brings you to Christ for grace. He doesn’t smite the sinner and say, “Improve and I’ll help you”, but He helps the smitten, comforting the lowly (2 Cor 7:6).  This God given repentance PRODUCES a change, so that what I did, I do no more, and I show myself clear in the matter - “For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter“ (vs11).

I may repent over and over for the same thing, but there is NO forgiveness without cleansing, and we must never leave the knees of prayer without the faith of cleansing by the Spirit, so that we’re able to do what pleases Him and sin no more.

The blessing of God makes you a blessing to others. As Titus heard that Corinth came to repentance, he rejoiced. As he rejoiced, he now comforts Paul, for he hears that these saints, though wrong in the past and sharply chastened of God, have returned to Christ and endure His rule.  They are not “fly by nights“, but they are His people who hear His voice, and this rejoices the man preaching - “Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.  For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.  Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,  and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more“ (vs4-7).  2 Cor 7:12-16 says, “Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.  Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.  For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true.  And his affections are greater for you as he remembers the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him.  Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything“.

Be careful.  True RELIGION hurts from time to time, deeply, but it produces a change of life you won’t regret.  Preachers, if they are God’s, speak to you PAINFUL things, not holding back anything that will help you, but they weep over your tears and plead to God it works joy in the future.