Today’s Reading | 2 Corinthians 7
True Repentance
How can you tell if someone has true godly sorrow over their sin? How do you know if they are truly repentant or just acting as if they are sorry. Paul lists some defining characteristics of godly sorrow in this chapter. We can use these to examine our own and others’ lives in the matter of repentance. Paul heard how this church responded to the correction he wrote about in his first letter to the Corinthians. He knew they had genuine godly sorrow because they had demonstrated seven characteristics which he listed in verses 10-11. You should number them in your Bible. First he saw that they had an earnestness and an eagerness to clear themselves, to make it right. Second, he saw indignation and alarm about what they had done. They felt terrible about their sin. Third, he saw that they had a longing, a concern, and a readiness to see justice done. They were prepared to accept the consequences their sin required. Does your life reflect these characteristics when you sin against God? Have you seen it in the lives of others? If not, ask God to show you the true nature of sin so that godly sorrow might lead you to true repentance and restore the relationship that God desires we have with Him and others.
Today’s Questions
Say What?
How might someone who has an earnestness and eagerness to clear themself act?
So What?
How might someone who has indignation and alarm about what they had done act?
Now What?
How might someone who has a longing, a concern, and a readiness to see justice done in response to their sin act?
Then What?
What personal commitment can you make in light of what this passage teaches?