“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (II Corinthians 7:8-10 NIV)
While a seminary student, I remember my professor of Missions saying that sometimes the Gospel is “bad news” to people. As you might guess, many of us were taken aback. He went on to explain that the Gospel calls people to repentance and, for some people, this is not good news because they want to hold on to their lifestyles. The Good News is God loves us and wants to restore His relationship with us through the blood of Jesus. The “bad news” is that requires a change of life on our part.
The rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22) wanted to follow Jesus, but when he was told what it would cost him, the man went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up his wealth. Notice the man was sorrowful, but this didn’t lead to a change in his life.
There are many who feel bad about their behavior, including many claiming to be Christians. They may even approach God and ask forgiveness, but they are unwilling to change. This, I believe, is what Paul means by “worldly sorrow.” People often sincerely feel bad about the way they live, but it does not lead them to repentance. Instead, it places them on the road to death because without repentance there can be no salvation.
I know of one man who had felt guilty about his behavior for several years. He claimed to be a Christian, but his life didn’t really reflect it. He’d hang around Christians and go to church, but he had one foot firmly planted in the ways of the world. Then came the moment when his sorrow led to repentance, and his life changed. Freed from guilt by a repentant heart, he experienced the joy of salvation for the first time and it showed. Now, instead of living in constant regret, he is living in the freedom of true forgiveness and experiencing real, abundant life.
Today, recognize that sorrow over sin accomplishes nothing unless it leads to repentance. That’s the bad news. But if you repent, you can truly live and experience life without regret. That’s the Good News!
© Jim Musser 2013
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