Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
There is a sorrow that you feel so deep in your soul, it sinks to the very core of who you are. This sorrow is unlike any you have ever felt before. Godly sorrow. It is the sorrow that comes from sin that changes your heart. A realchange. When you have a true heart change, there are bound to be some physical changes that follow. People will be able to visibly see a difference in your life. Change is evident because Godly sorrow is followed by repentance, turning from our sins, not apologizing to God and then continuing in sin. Godly sorrow is different in that it only seeks God, it does not seek sympathy from others. It is personal, about how our sin against Him has affected our relationship with Him.
The realization of our sin and the separation we have from God because of it brings mourning. When we mourn over our sin, it is cleansing. It leaves a feeling of peace after a wrenching encounter with our true selves. There is no greater comfort for us than the face of our savior when we are face to face with our sin. It is the path to comfort and strength—the pathway to true happiness.
True repentance brings CONVERSION. Conversion of life style as well as soul. Conversion of heart and mind. Someone asked Billy Graham after a rather powerful service, “Is this revival?” Graham’s reply was, “No, when I see revival I expect to see two things:
· A new sense of the holiness of God.
· A new sense of the sinfulness of sin.”
Everything looks different – from the holiness of God to the sinfulness of sin. The desire to sin doesn’t disappear and may not be less appealing but you will be strikingly aware of the brevity of it beyond this change in your life. Godly sorrow stirs us out of complacency and causes us to become diligent in what really matters. It awakens in us a desire and longing to cling to our Father, our heavenly hope. His power is the final overthrow of sin and His grace our comfort in sorrow. He waits patiently, longing for us to come to Him.
Scripture to Claim:
God shall wipe away all the tears from their eyes and there shall be no longer any death, there shall be no longer any mourning, or crying or pain Revelation 21:4
