Godly Sorrow

(2 Corinthians 7:10 NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 

People can be very sorry for their sin without being repentant.

• They are sorry they failed.
• They are sorry they disappointed people.
• They are sorry they got caught.
• They are sorry they feel embarrassed.
• They are sorry they face the consequences.

They are seriously sorry, too.  They are weeping, depressed and ashamed.  Some are even self-destructive. They are "really tore up."

But it doesn't matter a snap unless it is godly sorrow that produces repentance that leads to salvation.

Godliness is proper reverence for God.  If you love God it will change the way you live - not just make you feel bad about continuing to live the same old way.

Repentance is a turning away from sin and a turning toward God in obedience.  Repentance is the flip side of Faith.  To have faith in God is to repent of my sin against God.

Salvation is not a single narrow dimension of life.  Salvation is all encompassing.  We are saved from our sins.  Not just the penalty for our sins, but also from the power of sin in our lives.  Too many people would like to be saved from the ultimate penalty for their sin, but they don't want to give up the enjoyment of the sin in their present life.  So they are not repentant - just pensive.

We are saved to be dead to sin and alive to Christ (Romans 6).

God, grant us godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation.  Cleanse us for your own glory!  Bring yourself praise through delivering us from our sins!