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A Look At A Sorrow That Saves

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Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles

One of the most difficult of God’s commands is repentance (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). A simple definition of repentance is:

A change of heart [attitude] resulting in a changed lifestyle.

The man who would alter his lifestyle without altering his attitude faces an almost impossible task. On the other hand, changing the will not only helps, it almost assures the outward change.

Only the contrite heart is changeable (Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17), and even then its sorrow must be of the “godly” variety (2 Corinthians 7:11). However, not all sorrow that pervades and influences the heart is godly. Paul writes of a sorrow that is “of the world” and which “produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Worldly sorrow does not accomplish godly ends.

Sinners may be genuinely sorry for their wrong doing, and also for the shame and disgrace it has brought to them and their family, but still may not be concerned about sinning against God. They may confess and lament their sins, even “come forward” in tears — but without any godly grief. Only godly sorrow can truly change a man’s heart and life in the way that is “to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).

In commenting on “godly sorrow” (vs. 10), Albert Barnes says this phrase “shows the exact nature of that sorrow which is connected with a return to God.” He continues by showing it to be the kind of sorrow approved by God —  the kind which is exercised toward God in view of sin — the kind which leads to God in seeking forgiveness.

Joseph saw a connection between sin and God that all men need to see. When tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he asked:

“How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9).

No man partakes of the divine nature while being indifferent to sin (2 Peter 1:1-4).

The Proverb writer tells us:

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13).

The God we sin against is the One we are to love above all (Mark 12:30; cf. Deuteronomy 6:4-5). He so loved us that He gave His Son to save us from sin (John 3:16). Certainly, the cross shows the magnitude of sin — but it also shows the depth of God’s love as well.

The learning of both helps one to come to that “godly sorrow” that works repentance — a repentance, as Paul says, that “leaves no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV).

The godly sorrow and all that it leads to — the changed mind, the reformed life, and ultimately — salvation, has never brought regret to a single soul.

Many books have been written about the regrets of men, but the first sentence is yet to be written of any regret in turning to God. Where is the man who was ever sorry for having been reconciled to God or having served Him too faithfully or too long?

Truly, godly sorrow is a sorrow that saves (2 Corinthians 7:10; cf. 2 Samuel 12:13; Matthew 26:75).

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