2 Corinthians 7:10
In fact, godly sorrow produces repentance, which leads to salvation, leaving no regret. On the other hand, worldly sorrow produces death.
Applying God’s Word for today: Sorrow for life or death!
Whether you are a believer or an unbeliever, it is good to be kind and respectful to others and to teach young children to say, “I am sorry!” But what are the godly and worldly sorrows that Paul talks about? Worldly sorrow leads to death because, without faith, one can offend others and feel sorrow over what they have done, yet by rejecting God’s love and his forgiveness, they hold onto those sins like baggage.
But godly sorrow comes from faith. To think that, because one is a Christian, they never sin is absurd. As Christians, we have God’s Word, which, like a mirror, points out our sins (the Ten Commandments). We see that our sins are loveless toward God, others, and ourselves, so when we examine our thoughts, words, and actions, they cut deeply, producing godly sorrow—the guilt and shame we feel for what we have done.
It’s in this godly sorrow that we run to Jesus and lay all our sins at His cross in repentance, knowing that Jesus already forgave us when He hung on the cross and said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” God wants each of us to know He has completely absolved us of all our sins. His grace does not give us a free-for-all to sin more and more, because that would cheapen God’s love for us. Rather, He wants to give you relief from all our past, present, and future sins.
God’s forgiveness is a gift for everyone, but it is received only by faith in Jesus. Know that all your sins are forgiven. Jesus took them into himself, and they are gone. Share your gift with someone who’s still holding onto their baggage. Let them know Jesus has forgiven them, too.
Dear Lord, thank you for stirring up godly sorrow in my heart. I repent of all my sins—sins of thought, word, and deed—both past and present. I know I only deserve your punishment for them, both now and in eternity. Lord, I am sorry. Please forgive me for all my sins, take away all my guilt and shame, and because you have forgiven me, grant me faith to let go of my past sins so I can focus on loving you and others according to your will. All this, I ask, for Jesus’ sake—because He died for all my sins. Amen.
Because Jesus has died for all your sins, know that he has forgiven you, and your sins are removed as far as the East is from the West. God’s mercy for you is as great as the heavens are above the earth. You are forgiven!