2 Corinthians 7
August Memory Verse: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
Read: 2 Corinthians 7
In his book, Finally Free, Heath Lambert tells a story of two different counselees that he met with after sexual immorality was brought to light in their marriages. He tells the story that both men came to him and were in tears, “broken” because of their sin. They both made vows to change and no longer go down their paths of sins. But in a few months, one of the men had truly repented and was walking in holiness and purity, and the other had chosen to walk in his sin, resulting in even deeper sexual immorality and eventually divorcing his wife.
What are the differences between these two men? They were both crying and broken over their sin, right? We see the difference in our passage today:
Worldly sorrow fears losing the worldly benefits of having sin exposed; godly sorrow understands that sin breaks the heart of God. Worldly sorrow is focused on short term removal of sin until the blow up that it caused dies down; godly sorrow seeks long-term heart change that is rooted in a desire to honor God by pursuing a holy life with God’s help.
Verse 11 shows us that godly sorrow is at the root of true, lasting life change:
Godly sorrow is the foundation of living a life of holiness, and ultimately a life that honors the Lord.
Spend some time today praying Psalm 139:23-24 and asking God to search your heart:
By: Graham Withers
Read: 2 Corinthians 7
In his book, Finally Free, Heath Lambert tells a story of two different counselees that he met with after sexual immorality was brought to light in their marriages. He tells the story that both men came to him and were in tears, “broken” because of their sin. They both made vows to change and no longer go down their paths of sins. But in a few months, one of the men had truly repented and was walking in holiness and purity, and the other had chosen to walk in his sin, resulting in even deeper sexual immorality and eventually divorcing his wife.
What are the differences between these two men? They were both crying and broken over their sin, right? We see the difference in our passage today:
10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
Worldly sorrow fears losing the worldly benefits of having sin exposed; godly sorrow understands that sin breaks the heart of God. Worldly sorrow is focused on short term removal of sin until the blow up that it caused dies down; godly sorrow seeks long-term heart change that is rooted in a desire to honor God by pursuing a holy life with God’s help.
Verse 11 shows us that godly sorrow is at the root of true, lasting life change:
11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
Godly sorrow is the foundation of living a life of holiness, and ultimately a life that honors the Lord.
Spend some time today praying Psalm 139:23-24 and asking God to search your heart:
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
24 Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
By: Graham Withers
5 Comments
Such a helpful book, Finally Free!
This passage contains the deepest examination of the many facets of repentance. I turn here when I need a longer broken down understanding of what it means to turn from sin. The earnestness. Sorrow. Desire to vindicate self. The anger toward the sin itself.
So thankful for this chapter today!
Tim Parsons was a man who lived and breathed life change through the power of Jesus Christ. Life change begins with confession, repentance, and then acceptance of Jesus Christ as your only source of salvation. On this day as we celebrate Tim's life at his funeral I'm reminded of the time years ago I began "Prepare to Share" training with Tim.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Thank my you Tim for training hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Christians how to share their faith through Prepare to Share training. Center Point Church is equipped to continue your legacy of bringing about life change though the power of the Gospel. I'll look forward to seeing you again dear friend when the Lord calls me home.
What a great example, Graham! Thanks!
I can see these two versions of sorrow modeled by my kids as well. They may say "I'm sorry" with their lips, but as a parent it is clear when they are actually truly repentant.
Godly sorrow is sorry for the action, while worldly sorrow is really just sorry that they got caught. It's clear which version will lead to lasting life-change.
Yes Thomas! Great example.
So grateful to have you Graham, and the rest of the CPC staff. What an incredible job you have done shepherding our flock. Graham, you're message yesterday, well, I have no words to express how encouraging it was. I will so miss being with my church family today. My prayers are with you all.
This was a great message today. One on which to truly meditate.