For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 AMP
The Context and Focus:
Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, and in today's account, he was referring to a letter he had written to the church to correct and rebuke someone or some people for some wrong that had been done. As with all human relationships and connections, offence is a part of the story. It is almost impossible to have relationships where one does not offend or slightly annoy the other. Our different backgrounds, identities and experiences will surely lead to misunderstandings and conflict but as we allow the Spirit of God to lead and guide us, we become better at accepting and accommodating different views and opinions, and we also can improve our relationships with other people without having to make any compromise on God's standards. This distinction is quite important, because as much as God would have me live at peace with other people, it must not be at the expense of my relationship with Him. As much as it gave Paul great joy and pleasure to know and relate with the church in Corinth, he was not going to keep quiet when sin was in the camp. Can the same be said about me?
The Message:
As I read the words of today's verse, I am reminded of two people who followed Jesus for three and a half years: Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot. These were men we called disciples, who followed Jesus and saw all the mighty miracles he did. At some point in time, just as the earthly ministry of Jesus was coming to an end and the cross was calling, these disciples had an encounter that defined their eternity. Both of them took steps you would have described as sin. One betrayed his master for money; the other even cursed himself as he lied and denied ever knowing the one he had called master, and even tried to defend when his master was being arrested. Both were confronted with the raw conviction of their wrongdoing; one wept bitterly and returned to the master, the other one was also filled with remorse, but he went out and hung himself. Same wrongdoing, same expression of sorrow, but different endings. It would appear that there is a sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation, and then there is a sorrow that is hopeless and leads to death. It is important to know the difference, and to ensure that my response to sin is appropriate.
The Conclusion:
If wrongdoing or sin comes, what is my response? When I am confronted with evidence of whatever I may have done wrong, am I willing to admit and take steps to repair the relationship, or I am bent on holding on to my position, even if it is found to be wrong? Am I beyond correction or discipline, because I think I am right? Do I listen to opposing views and opinions, willing to accept that I do not always have all the information? When I know I have wronged someone, do I sincerely approach the person with the right mindset, or do I just take steps out of eye-service and hypocrisy, in order to give a false impression about something I do not honestly feel? It is important to note that while men can be deceived, God cannot. Our hearts are laid bare before Him, and our motives and intentions are known to Him. Both ends of the spectrum lead to two eternal realities. One leads to salvation and eternal life; the other leads to hopelessness and death. God needs to work on my heart so that it seeks God sincerely and truthfully. The benefits are eternal. God's time of favour is here.
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