Responding to the Indicators — Godly Sorrow and Repentance
When God shines His light upon our iniquities and we see ourselves and our sin, from His perspective, we are motivated by godly sorrow and moved toward repentance. Godly sorrow works a seven-step process in the lives of all who have experienced grace-granted repentance. The seven progressive steps that God produces in the heart of a repentant sinner are outlined and described in 2 Corinthians 7:10, which reads:
"For godly sorrow PRODUCES repentance, a repentance that delivers God's salvation that is not regretted: but worldly sorrow (remorse) produces death (it deceives and misleads, as with Esau, because it never has God in view. It wants the blessings but not the Blesser). For behold this very thing, think about it, your sorrow was rooted and the results of godly sorrow, what CAREFULNESS [it] (godly sorrow) produced in you, yes, what CLEARING of yourselves, yes, what INDIGNATION, yes, what FEAR, yes, what VEHEMENT DESIRE, yes, what ZEAL, yes, what REVENGE! In every way you have PROVEN that you are CLEAR in this matter (for your mind and heart has been changed and now you think and see the issue differently)" (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
EACH of these highlighted words show the progress of godly sorrow and... how [it] and why [it] PRODUCES a repentance that delivers us to God's way of thinking and living that leaves no room for regrets.
God isn't threatened by our sin and rebellion but He doesn't take it lightly either. The sacrificial life and substitutionary death of my gracious King and Redeemer is more than enough proof that I shouldn't take it lightly either. And because He knows... |
