2 Corinthians 7:9-10
— yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow lead 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.
I like the way this part condenses the meaning: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” After I have realized my sin, and gone to God with it, asking for forgiveness, I don’t need to dwell on it any longer or feel guilty. I still need to know it was wrong, to learn from my mistakes, but there is no need to go on suffering the feelings of guilt.
Father God, in this Holy Week, may I walk in your path, may I choose repentance and take hold of your gift of salvation. May I never lose sight of you. Amen
Becky, transforming
2 Corinthians 7:9–10 When Paul wrote letters to the different churches he had established. It was often to encourage their journey to Christ. But at other times, it was to explain about the wrongs they were doing and how to “right” themselves. In this verse, he understood they felt sorrow about letting him down, but he was pleased that they used that sorrow to repent and get back on the right road. To use our sorrows to really look around us and see how we can improve, is the mark of a more mature Christian. Prayer: gracious God, may I accept criticism as a way to change direction as you would have me do. Amen
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 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.
Guilt, fear, unease or sorrow is not repentance. These feeling can lead to repentance due to the change of thinking in regard to our actions. I need to feel uncomfortable in my relationship with God because of what I have done. If I feel that the pain that my way of acting caused to others, it helps me make real changes in my life. I know that I matter and what I do or don’t do is a reflection on my…
2 Corinthians 7:9-10 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. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
These verses are connected to a lot that happened earlier between Paul and this congregation. What I got out of it is that being sorry that you hurt someone and that causes you to apologize to them, does not satisfy God. You have sinned by your actions and that requires repentance prayed for to God as well.
Dear Lord I have not always…
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Sorrow can be beneficial. It is not always a bad thing. On the other hand, there is a kind of sorrow that comes with sinful behavior because the act itself, ignores the will of God. Although Paul was sorry he had to hurt them, he was happy that his letter brought them to godly sorrow as God intended, which brings repentance that leads to salvation. Genuine repentance is a matter of our heart.. Because it is only those who feel the shame of their sin—who feel the offense toward the holiness of God and mourn over it—that we turn away from it with genuine repentance, and seek forgiveness by the grace of God leading to salvation.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
The contrast between Godly and worldly sorrow could not be more stark. The repentance stemming from Godly sorrow opens the door to forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration of relationship with God and others. Worldly sorrow, the sorrow at having been caught in sin, just leads to the dead end of resentment, anger and destruction of relationship. Why would one purposefully choose the latter once they know God? This is yet another reason why we should share the Good News.
Prayer - Forgiving God, help us who believe and trust in You to share with others the freedom that repentance and forgiveness can bring. This is another way we can follow Jesus’ admonition to set the captives free. Amen