October 4                                       Ezek 12 - 14

GODLY SORROW

MEMORISE: 'Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, That ye might receive damage by us in nothing.' (2Cor 7:9)
READ: 2 Corinthians 7:9-11

Within the Pentecostal circle, certain erroneous ideas about sin still make the rounds. Some say that a child of God is free to engage in sin; he should only remember to confess whenever he sins. A friend of mine argued this point one day, when we were discussing someone who had committed adultery. He said that if God expected him to forgive those who offended him seventy times seven times in one day, then God must be ready to forgive him 490 times daily.

Those who believe this are on the pathway to hell. Repentance means a U-turn. It is a complete turnaround. If you say you have repented from fornication, yet you continue to commit it, then you have not. Such a fellow is only deceiving himself. You commit a sin and you tell God you are sorry. Then you commit it again and come and say you are sorry again only to return to sin. What do you think you are doing? You are not sincere with your so - called 'Sorry.' It shows you are enjoying sin. You are a few steps away from destruction.

True repentance must be accompanied by godly sorrow. Peter after his denial of Jesus went and wept. Judas after he betrayed Jesus also repented. He returned the thirty pieces of silver he was paid to the chief priests and elders, saying that he had betrayed innocent blood. The difference was that while Peter's godly sorrow worked his restoration, Judas' worldly sorrow made him hangs himself (Matt 27:3-5).

The reason some Christians feel they should refrain from adultery is because of HIV/AIDS. Some discontinue stealing because they are afraid they will be shamed, or even die when caught. Some have decided to stop going to discos because they feel they are getting too old for that now. These reasons do not constitute godly sorrow, which means you realize you are living in defiance of a God who loves you, and you decide to satisfy him henceforth. Our reading says if you have godly sorrow, it will make you more careful and arouse a holy anger and Zeal not to return to that sin. It will increase your fear of God and your obedience to him. Do you see these characteristics in you?

ACTION POINT
The litmus test of a truly penitent heart is non-return to sin after confession. Do you satisfy that requirement?