Godly Sorrow Brings Repentance

2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Key Verse 7:10

Read 7:2-16.  What is godly sorrow?

** Godly sorrow is essentially sorrow, but it is from God. God is good. So, godly sorrow has a good purpose. 

What is worldly sorrow?

** Worldly sorrow is also sorrow, but it is not God-centered.  Worldly sorrow is man-centered. 

How is godly sorrow different from worldly sorrow?

** Godly sorrow leads man to repentance which leads man to salvation.  Worldly sorrow leads man to death. 

In what respect is it difficult to help people until godly sorrow arises in them? 

** Since we talk about godly sorrow, we need a godly man who can cause a man to have godly sorrow. This person must be God-centered, rather than being driven by his own selfish interests. As a godly man, he must see in others the need for repentance (such as sin problems), and the consequences of not addressing these problems. 

Another source of difficulties is the pain involved in helping people to repent. This requires a lot of self-denial, long patience, and lots of prayer, all in godly love, for in all sincerity love seeks the interest of others. 

 

What can we learn from the Apostle Paul who served the flock of God in the way described in the passage? 

** The Apostle Paul operated like a spiritual parent for Jesus’ flock, serving them just like a parent praying for his children to grow up, not only in God’s grace but also in God’s truth. In order to see children grow up, a shepherd needs to serve children by caring them and challenging them, maintaining a good balance between care and challenge perhaps 51 percent care and 49 percent challenge. 

The end

---