THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Two men were adrift on a raft in the open sea after a shipwreck. It was the third day, and things were beginning to look really bad for them. Finally, one of them began to pray.
"Oh Lord, I've broken your commandments. I have bad habits, but if You will spare my life now, I promise to change. I'll....."
Just then the other man broke in, "Hold it, Frank! I see a ship!"
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2 Cor 7:10
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
KJV
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Godly sorrow is what brings repentance.
Godly sorrow is mourning because of sin.
Godly sorrow is caused by conviction from God.
Godly sorrow, which brings repentance, also brings eternal salvation.
But worldly sorrow only brings death.
Godly sorrow causes us see the evil of sin. Under godly sorrow, sin is seen not only as a theory, but experientially; much like a child who has been burned, fears fire. A true fear of fire will make a person stay AWAY from it! A true believer will never be sinless, but he certainly will sin less!
Godly sorrow causes us to see the end of sin - eternal death. The thought of being eternally separated from God and existing eternally in evil brings us to the next step.
Godly sorrow worketh repentance. This sorrow causes us to willingly confess our sinfulness to God and plead His forgiveness. Repentance actually means to turn FROM sin and turn TO God.
Upon confession of sin and pleading forgiveness from God, salvation is given. Salvation includes continual sorrow for sin, and continual confession of sin. The believer in Christ repents until his dying day because "godly sorrow worketh repentance."
Salvation, once given, also includes the power never to repent of that salvation. A saved sinner can never deny his salvation.
One cannot help but notice the contrast in the last part of our Scripture...."the sorrow of the world worketh death." Sorrow for loss, sickness, disease, tragedies - only bring us to the grave sooner. Those sorrows WORK DEATH.
But "godly sorrow" brings L.I.F.E.: Living In Faith Every Day!
Love ya,
Bruce