Today's Scripture
TODAY’S READING SCHEDULE: Psalms 123 -125; 2 Corinthians 7
Godly Sadness – 2 Corinthians 7:8-11
8 Even though my letter hurt you, I don’t regret it. Well—I did regret it just a bit because I see that that letter made you sad, though only for a short time. 9 Now I’m glad—not because you were sad but because you were made sad enough to change your hearts and lives. You felt godly sadness so that no one was harmed by us in any way. 10 Godly sadness produces a changed heart and life that leads to salvation and leaves no regrets, but sorrow under the influence of the world produces death. 11 Look at what this very experience of godly sadness has produced in you: such enthusiasm, what a desire to clear yourselves of blame, such indignation, what fear, what purpose, such concern, what justice! In everything you have shown yourselves to be innocent in the matter.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
‘I don’t want to feel guilty when I come to church.’
I get to hear this comment many times. However, Paul shows that this statement confuses the guilt we receive from the world is different. The NIV version says, “but worldly sorrow brings death” (v. 10b). Worldly sorrow puts us down, suffocates our soul, burdens us to death.
The sorrow we feel from God is different. It helps us to realize how we strayed away from our Lord’s way and how we are far from God’s purpose in our lives. It leads us to repentance, and through repentance, we see how we are not alone. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s presence that leads us back to God’s purpose!
Prayer
Lord, lead us away from worldly sorrows, but lead us closer to repentance and salvation. In Christ name we pray, Amen.
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