“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” II Corinthians 7:10 NKJV
Reflection: how can anything good come from sorrow?
Grief, sorrow, sadness, brokenness, are not exactly words we associate with anything good. We have probably all had periods in our lives where we could characterize our experience with one or more of these words. To be in the middle of such experience can be very difficult. But why do certain events or situations cause us sorrow? One we are all familiar with is the loss of someone that was dear or important to us, such as the death of a family member or a friend. Or the loss of a relationship, or even a job. And we also experience grief and sorrow when others have hurt us, either by what they have said or have done. But, what about when we are the cause of the hurt?
Does the fact that we have hurt someone, our error, cause us to have grief? Cause a deep sorrow within us?
In chapter 7, we learn from Paul one of the main reasons why he wrote the first letter to the Corinthians. It was a rebuke of sin that they had allowed in their church (read 1 Corinthians 5). Paul didn’t know how they would receive the letter, this rebuke. But he was hopeful that it would have a positive impact. He writes “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” II Corinthians 7:8-10 NKJV. Sorrow leading to salvation? Let’s read that again.
“Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation”.
While the specific sin was the action of one of the members of the congregation, the church had allowed it, even celebrated this sin (perhaps as being “tolerant”?). And we remember from the first letter to them that Paul was very direct with them, both in dealing with the man who lived in sin, but also rebuke of the church body for allowing this in their midst. Now, we all know that such rebuke can result in anger and resentment. In braking of relationships. But, it can also do the opposite. Drive those who are in error to repentance, forgiveness and ultimately to healing of relationships. Paul writes therefore “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.” II Corinthians 7:9 NKJV.
And as Paul continues in his second letter to them by praising them on their victory as a community of believers. That the sorrow they experienced due to reflecting on and accepting their error, led them to repentance and corrective action, and in the end strengthened them as a community. This was exactly the journey David went through in psalm 51 that we looked at the other day, where he concludes “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.” Psalms 51:16-17 NKJV
This is of course a timeless topic, relevant for all of us, especially if we consider ourselves disciples of Christ. And it goes without saying that nobody likes the feeling of grief or sorrow; it can be very painful to have a broken heart, especially from wrongs we have done towards God or our fellow man. But, what we learn from Paul’s writing, is that such “godly sorrow” can yield healing, restoration of relationships, and ultimately great joy and salvation.
So today, let’s consider our own behavior. When the Lord convicts us, or others say we have hurt them, do we reflect or deflect? Do we easily blame something or someone else? Or, do we take ownership for our errors? Do our errors cause us godly sorrow, leading to repentance, restoration and salvation?