2 Corinthians 7

Scripture 

2 Corinthians 7:10 

10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (MSG)

10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets.

Observation

Paul, in his writing, is expressing how in his previous letter has spoken quite “frankly” to them. He expressed his love for the church he was writing to and even if his previous letter caused some pain He is glad that it brought them to repentance and closer to God. 

2 Corinthians 7: 8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

Understanding

Have you ever had someone tell you something that hurt or stung you a bit. I think we all have. It may have made you feel a bit depressed for a minute and maybe just sad. But once you got over the initial pain of the sting then you were able to see what needed to be changed and now you are a better person because of it. 

In some ways I feel like the situation we are in now with the quarantine is providing a harsh word. We are able to see where a lot of our devotion has been; food, money, and of course toilet paper, among other things. 

For me I have taken for granted the comforts I have. 

Food. Money. Health.

I have been to countries where food does not come in abundance, it doesn’t not sit in a huge samsung refrigerator. It is sought out daily. 

Toilet paper is not even an option. It is for the wealthy and most of the people where I visited are not wealthy. In fact it was a way of life to not have toilet paper. Babies do not use diapers and wipes, it's just a way of life. 

I have access to healthcare and even when I don’t I can take care of my health simply by making better choices in food and exercise.

I am starting to recognize the areas that need change. A change of my heart and my mind. 

I am filled with sorrow. 

“Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain…”

Application

The quarantine is causing some pain. Our comforts have been compromised. Our health is at stake. Now our finances are taking a hit. 

But don't let it cause pain that leads to bitterness and discontent. Instead let it cause the pain that leads us to the presence of God in repentance. Let’s feel sorry that we have put other things above Him. 

The truth is that money is not my provider, God is.

He “owns the cattle on a thousand hills.”

Food does not sustain me, God does. 

He is the “bread of life.”

A virus does not determine my days on earth, God does. 

He is the “author of life.”

We have a great blessing that has been given to us, a chance to get alone with ourselves, reflect, and turn to God. Let us use our time of solitude from the outside world to draw near to God and open our ears to hear him and listen for his words that will bring about repentance and change. 

Deborah Lee