PROVE IT!
PROVE IT!
Have you ever lied to your neighbor, cheated on your taxes, or wronged your spouse? How did that make you feel afterward? Did you have a worldly sorrow over your actions, or a godly sorrow? In 2 Corinthians 7:10, the Apostle Paul said, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” What did he mean by that?
Worldly sorrow is when you grieve over personal consequences of your sin, such as a ruined reputation or getting caught. Godly sorrow grieves over how your sin has dishonored God and/or hurt others. Worldly sorrow leads to self-pity, bitterness, and trying to hide the behavior. Godly sorrow confesses and forsakes sin and encourages apologizing and making restitution. Worldly sorrow breeds isolation and an ongoing cycle of guilt and repeated offenses. Godly sorrow births freedom and lasting change.
Beloved, godly sorrow always brings repentance; it’s God’s call for genuine transformation! In Matthew 3:8, John the Baptist was speaking to religious leaders who came to be baptized. Knowing their lives lacked transformation, he said to them, "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” The fruit he was talking about was a 180-degree transformation in their behavior and in their character. He was teaching them that repentance is not just about feeling sorry over sin or saying the right words about sin; it’s an intentional turning away from sin and turning towards God. The NLT nails this verse when it says, “Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.” Beloved, do you really want to change? PROVE IT! Repent today, and God will transform you by giving you freedom and lasting change through faith in Jesus Christ. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, prove it by making repentance your way of life!
This is Laine Wilder for Carry the Light Ministries, bringing you Insights From an Elder.
by Laine Wilder
Author of “Insights From an Elder” for
Carry the Light Ministries
