For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. [11] For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2 Corinthians 7:10-11 nkjv
Repentance is a concept that is familiar to every true believer. To accept Christ, one must first repent and then believe in the Lord Jesus to be saved. Sometimes, repentance is not for our shortcomings alone. Every true intercessor knows how to repent on behalf of others. The grace of God has given us the ability to live without sin. This was why John says in 1 John 2:1 ” My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous“. Notice John said, If, this means sin is not a necessity. Many after being chastised or rebuked fall away due to false repentance. There is, however, repentance unto salvation, which is true repentance.
There are three steps to repentance. After an individual is convicted, there is a change of mind, metanoia. Next, there is a change of action to follow the pattern set by God based on an instruction in righteousness and finally, there is an acceptance of God’s forgiveness. A person who has truly repented and has received a pardon will often hate the sin and set boundaries to ensure they do not fall into the same sin again. As 1 corinthians 7:11 says, true repentance works a seven-fold response in the one repenting: Carefulness and diligence towards God, Vindication and not condemnation, Indignation against the sin, the fear/reverence for God, vehement desire, increased zeal for righteousness, and finally a readiness to avenge after their obedience is complete. Repentance itself is a gift from God. Jesus said in John 6:44 that no one comes to God unless God draws him.
On the flip side, if the thoughts are of condemnation, causing a person to blame God or run away from Him, that is a sign of ungodly sorrow. These thoughts lead to Spiritual death. Such a one will need to first repent from believing these thoughts and belittling the grace of God and afterward, receive the repentance from God for the initial sin committed. Romans 8:1-2 shows that there is no condemnation for all those in Christ.
Final thoughts: The Story of Judas in Matthew 27:3-5 is an example of ungodly sorrow. Judas went before the Pharisees and Sanhedrin and was remorseful. However, this sorrow led him out of the temple to hang himself. The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 however was the opposite. There was a change of mind. He realized he was wrong, and he decided, he will go back to the Father. The boy repented; the Father received him. His father was expecting him before he even came. When an individual is dirty, it makes no sense to run away from the one who can clean him up. Jesus longs for us to return to Him. He even leaves 99 sheep to go after a missing one.
Scripture reading: Luke 15:11-32
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you because you have made provision for me to live without sin in this World. Thank you that I have an advocate who always intercedes for me if I should fall.
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