2 Corinthians 7:1-16

A Different Sorrow

I’m not a big fan of sorrow. Sorrow simply isn’t one of those things we look forward to in life; however, there are times when it is entirely appropriate. If you feel that you have never had occasion in your life where you were sorry for certain actions on your part then you simply haven’t been paying attention. But there are different kinds of sorrow.

Many people, even within the community of believers, struggle under a crushing load of sorrow in their lives. Words that tend to accompany such sorrow are: guilt, bitter regret, and hopelessness. This is the world’s type of sorrow and the enemy doesn’t mind you having this kind of sorrow at all. Unfortunately, many within the church don’t mind you having this king of sorrow either. God does mind because this kind of sorrow produces death and He came to bring life.

Godly sorrow is a different kind of sorrow. Godly sorrow has words attached to it such as these: repentance, salvation, and no regret. This kind of sorrow, after it has done it’s work, bears fruit and actually feels pretty good.

During my college days there was a fellow who I seriously offended. I wasn’t walking with the Lord at the time, and let’s just say it had to do with a girl. Neither of us ended up with her, and she actually passed away a few years back, but the short version is that I didn’t treat him the way a friend should be treated, yet things smoothed over and we stayed somewhat friends. Over the years we lost touch. As I’ve gotten older and taken stock of my life, especially since coming to the Lord, I’ve always had a genuine sorrow for this situation. It hasn’t been crippling but I have often mused that I would love to see him again and tell him how truly sorry I was for my actions.

Last year, about this time of year, I received a voicemail from this guy! He is in town for a couple of days and several of our old friends are getting together. Would I like to come? Would I! God is so gracious. It turns out that my friend is in the Lord and his life has been truly blessed. It was a great reunion, but the best part for me was to pull him aside and say that for years I have wanted to let him know how truly sorry I was for wronging him. Forgiveness on his part had happened a long time ago but it was a deep sweet moment for us both. 

There is a sorrow that brings death and you need to rightly beware of it. But there is a sorrow that brings life and that one you should embrace and drink its nourishment to the full.