Godly Sorrow Produces Repentance
June 3, 2020
Commentary
One of the most difficult things to do in life is to rebuild a shattered relationship. Unfortunately, there are many broken relationships today in homes, churches, and ministries, which can only be repaired when people face problems honestly and deal with them Biblically and lovingly.
This is what Paul is trying to do in II Corinthians and especially in chapters 6 and 7. Paul had written a very severe letter of rebuke to the Corinthians and at times had regretted it (v. 8). His primary motive in writing the letter was to benefit them. They had read his “painful letter,” had repented of their sins, and disciplined the members who had created the problems. If we are serious about repentance, we will do everything we can to clear things up. Remorse and regret do not go far enough; there must be repentance followed by restitution (vv. 8-11). Now, Paul’s heart rejoiced that they had accepted his message and had acted upon it (v. 9).
In Paul’s discussions with Titus, he was convinced that the opposition in Corinth came only from a small group of dissenters and most of the congregation wanted to do what was right. Now this conviction is confirmed by the report Titus gives to Paul. Both Paul and Titus cared about the believers in Corinth, and this love finally won the day (vv. 12-16).
Application
I must never let pride keep me from admitting sin in my life. I must accept correction as a tool for my Spiritual growth and do all I can to correct problems that are pointed out to me.
2 Corinthians 7:8– 16 (NET)
8 For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time). 9 Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. 10 For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death. 11 For see what this very thing, this sadness as God intended, has produced in you: what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God. 13 Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit. 14 For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well. 15 And his affection for you is much greater when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. 16 I rejoice because in everything I am fully confident in you.