Links for today’s readings:
Read: Deuteronomy 13-14 Listen: (6:35) Read: 2 Corinthians 7 Listen: (2:58)
Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 7.10-11
10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 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.
Reflection: Godly Sorrow
By John Tillman
The Corinthian church greatly harmed Paul.
The exact nature of what happened is unknown, though it was probably related to one or more “false apostles” who attacked Paul’s reputation. It seems the church either believed the false attacks or failed to defend Paul against them.
Paul wrote a “severe” letter of correction to them that is lost to history. (2 Corinthians 2.3-4) This severe letter caused sorrow on both sides. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians after hearing a good report of their response to this correction.
Put yourself in the place of Corinth. Would Paul write us a “severe letter?” Have we embraced false prophets, teachers, apostles, or gospels? Have we caused grief and betrayed faithfulness for flashiness?
Put yourself in the place of Paul. Do you speak up against wrongs, false prophets, and deceptive leaders? Will you risk a “severe” correction and can you deliver it while still communicating love? Are you willing to forgive enemies (2 Corinthians 2.5-11) and restore the repentant?
Paul credited his restored relationship to the Corinthians’ “godly sorrow” and not “worldly sorrow.” Neither worldly nor godly sorrow are the normal sorrow we experience from living in a world tainted and damaged by human sin. They are two ways we respond to conviction of sin.
Worldly sorrow about sin focuses inward on the self. We are sorry about being caught or sorry about the consequences. When we experience this kind of sorrow, we grit our teeth and endure punishment, but nothing changes in our heart. This, Paul says, leads to death. How? Consider Pharaoh. (Exodus 8.15, 32; 9.12, 34) Pharaoh had worldly sorrow during the suffering of the plagues but his heart continued in wickedness. Gritting our teeth through worldly sorrow hardens our heart and, as with Pharaoh, leads to destruction.
Godly sorrow about sin focuses outward on others and on our identity in Christ. We are sorry for harming others, for maligning Jesus’ name, and for falling short of our calling. When we experience this kind of sorrow, we cry out in repentance and long to restore our faithful obedience to God. This brings salvation and erases regret, leading to life. How? Consider Josiah. (2 Chronicles 34.27-33) Josiah’s heart was grieved, responsive, and humble and he responded with action, leading the greatest revival in Judah’s history.
When confronted with correction, what kind of sorrow springs up? Self-interested, worldly sorrow? Or outward-focused godly sorrow?
When confronted with sin, direct your heart toward godly sorrow that brings life.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting
Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved. — Psalm 80.3
– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle
Read more: His Blessings, Our Curse
He died to release the curse’s hold on us, then he rose to bring to us the full blessings of life.
Read more: Spiritual Indicators
God holds his people responsible for the welfare of the poor, the foreigners, the widows, and the orphans.