2 Corinthians 7-- Beyond Being Sorry

It's a familiar scene. A child does something wrong, gets caught, and as the punishment is being given bursts into tears and says "I'm sorry!" Yet how often do we see that same child turn right around and do the same thing again? Their sorrow did not lead to change. We can, and should, be sorry for our sin. When we blow it with God, whether it is something that others know about or not, we should be sorry. But sorrow without change accomplishes nothing. That is the message of 2 Corinthians 7. We first must do everything we can to be vigilant against sin and lead holy lives (v1). But when we do fail and sin we should be quick to respond with "godly sorrow"--sorrow that produces repentance (v9). There are at least seven characteristics of godly sorrow--1) a sincere desire to change attitudes and actions; 2) a commitment to do right; 3) genuine anger over the sin--seeing sin as God sees it; 4) fear of continuing in sin; 5) desire to be around godly people; 6) passion to do whatever it takes to remove the sin; and finally 7) a longing to restore fellowship with God (vv9-11). Are these characteristics true of how you respond when you are aware of sin in your life? If not, then maybe you aren't really sorry after all.
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com. If you would like to share a comment about today's blog, you may do so at www.maxpoint.org/message_board.