2 Corinthians 7 - 3.30.23

Scripture

2 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT

“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

Observation

Paul is writing the Corinthian Church telling them how proud he is of them. He tells them that he knows his previous letter, where he was rebuking them for their foolish and sinful actions may have hurt them a bit, but that letter brought repentance amongst them. It drew them away from their sinfulness and brought them closer to God. Because at the end of the day, when we sin against God, are we truly sorry if we’re just going to turn around and do it again? Or can we honestly say that our hearts are sorrowful for what we’ve done, and we yearn to turn away from those actions so we can follow God’s path? 🤔

‬‬

“But if wicked people turn away from all their sins and begin to obey my decrees and do what is just and right, they will surely live and not die. All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done. “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.” -Ezekiel‬ ‭18‬:‭21‬-‭23‬

Application

It’s one thing to say sorry, but do we truly mean it?

I once had this conversation with my kids when they were younger. My two daughters, Melody and Macie, got into an argument while they were playing. Melody then hurt Macie, and made her cry. When Macie came to me to tell on her sister, her sister was defensive, and tried to justify what she did. So I explained to both of them that we don’t hurt each other in this family. I then told Melody to apologize to her sister. To which Melody immediately responded and turned to her little sister with a snarky “sorry”. I then stopped her and asked if she really meant it. I explained to her that it’s one thing to say sorry, but it’s another thing to truly mean it.

And the same can be said with our relationship with God. Sure we can come to God, say that we’re sorry, and ask for His forgiveness all day long. But do we truly mean it if we knowingly are going to go back out there and willingly do it again?! Or does our “sorry” come with a heart that sincerely hurts because of what we did? Does it come with us turning away from that sinful action, and lead us to doing the godly action? I hope it is the latter, because that is what God’s desire is for each and every one of us. 😊

Prayer

Father God, I know that I’m not perfect. I mess up and sin against You every day. I pray that my sinful actions lead to a heart that hurts because I’ve sinned against You. I pray that it leads to repentance. I thank You God for being so patient with me. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that surrounds me each day. Thank You for forgiving me, a sinner. May my actions prove to You that I am truly sorry. Help me to stay on that godly path that pleases You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽

-Moses Gaddi