It’s Not About Being Sorry
September 15, 2016//
Topics to Dig Into
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it…I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance… Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.
2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (abbreviated from NIV)
Have you been paying attention?
If so, you know I’m not perfect. I’ve admitted to procrastination, struggling to prioritize prayer, and sometimes ignoring God’s whispers.
I’m not beating myself up – just being real. I’m sorry for these tendencies, but don’t wallow in regret. I’ve acknowledged my shortcoming and asked God to help me change.
Acknowledging our shortcomings is the first step toward repentance and change. (tweet this)
Jesus’ blood on the cross completely covers our shortcomings so we can confess and truly leave them in the past. We get a fresh start with a clean conscience to follow God in a new direction.
In an earlier letter to the Corinthians Paul reprimanded them. Being called out hurt. It really stung. But then it produced godly sorrow and repentance that produced all kinds of positive outcomes.
No matter our mistakes, God can turn us around. Without God’s grace we are weighed down with guilt, shame and regret. But His forgiveness frees us from those feelings.
Lysa Terkeurst quotes her pastor as saying “Jesus didn’t die so we’d be sorry. He died and then was resurrected so we’d be changed.”
What guilt are you holding on to?
Will you repent and let God change you?
Will you repent and let God change you?
#SeedsOfScripture #repentance #First5 @LysaTerkeurst
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
