SCRIPTURE
"As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.'" (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
OBSERVATION
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians obviously caused them grief because he addresses it here in Second Corinthians. In an age where no one wants to hurt someone's feelings (not on purpose but by godly confrontation), Paul's tactics seem a bit harsh. However he was more concerned about the larger spiritual issues surrounding life. He recognized two kinds of grief (godly vs. worldly) and the kind that he inflicted (godly) led them to repentance which led to salvation. Godly grief means we see our sin in light of God's holiness and respond accordingly. It leads us to repentance...a change of mind about our situation. Worldly grief can occur on many different levels. We are more sorry that we got caught than over the actual deed. We misdirect our anger to the person who challenges us. What business is it of theirs? We fall into shame. "I'm such a bad person." Each of these are unhealthy responses when we come face to face with our sin because none of them leads to repentance. They do lead to anger, frustration, or self-loathing, none of which offers life, only death, because we still haven't dealt with the issue at hand. As long as we are caught up in worldly grief, grief without God, we have not repented.
APPLICATION
I need to develop Godly grief. Grief that is actually good for me. Recognizing my sin and repenting, which brings about reconciliation with God....and others. It's easy to get caught up in worldly grief. When I do, it's all about me, not about what God wants to do in me. Only a healthy evaluation of my condition produces the change that brings about life. In order to do that I need to honestly look at my sin (without blaming others or shaming myself), take it to God and allow him to work in my life. I can spin my wheels in the mire of grief (I'm such a bad person. God doesn't love me. I'll never be useful. Why did I do such a stupid thing?). Or, I can allow the grief I experience, when confronted with the hard teachings of God's word, to motivate me to holiness and repentance. That is where I find life and freedom.
PRAYER
Lord, I need to develop godly grief, the grief that leads to repentance instead of worldly grief that leads to death. Help me to get out of my own way. Amen.
