Hope in Godly Sorrow

The world would have us believe that the only way out of "sin" would be to wallow in shame, punish ourselves endlessly, and forever be cowed – afraid, fearful, intimidated – with the remorse that we feel.

This concept has produced some of the world's largest religions.

God's way is not the world's way.

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul is addressing the church in reference to a sin that he had corrected in the first book of Corinthians. He says:

[8] For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

[9] Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

[10] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

[11] For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
(emphasis mine)

Their sorrow was not the important thing here – but their repentance was!!!

Verse 11 tells us how much they did not want to commit that sin again!

Remember that the enemy of our soul is the master deceiver. He wants us to get wrapped up in the "sorrow" part, and not move on to the "repentance" part.

Be sure to move through sorrow and on to repentance; that's where your joy will return.

There is great hope is being sorry "after a Godly manner."