GODLY SORROW

2 Corinthians 7:1,10

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

In Godly leadership it is not all smiles and pleasantries, for the truth must always be told, though no matter how we go about it, the driving force must be love. 

In chapter 7 of Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church, he stresses why there was need for the first letter. When we went through it we saw the rebukes for where they faltered, however we must not overlook the corrections and instructions. The letter shows us that the leader, God’s watchman over His children must be alive to correction, rebuke and admonition. 

It is not all about fare and well. For we cannot sit as leaders and watch those under our watch go astray. Love and the commitment to the Heavenly Father should make us speak up and act accordingly. 

With the Heavenly Father it is NOT just about blessings, there is also chastisement! Selah

1 Corinthians 11:32 

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Hebrews 12:5-6

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, 

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord's discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you.

For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

Christ said:

Revelation 3:19

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

So you CANNOT just be moving like a wagon that has no rider. When we err the Lord brings us to order and in our present times it begins by His Spirit within us. This is why we must never frustrate His Spirit in us. We must keep Him stirred by obedience and Spiritual exercises. 

We must not allow our conscience to go dead! 

1 Timothy 4:2

These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

See, you don't have to wait for your spiritual leader to come rebuke you, your Spirit must be active enough to know when you have erred! However,  when they do consider it and let God’s Spirit do the purging and bring you back to the right path. 

So what is the aim of the corrections, the chastisement, it is to bring about Godly sorrow, which breeds repentance. Thus the soul is saved. 

2 Corinthians 7:9,11

Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way.

Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.

So we learn as Godly leaders and elders to seek such in the life of those who look up to us, those the Lord has assigned to us. Not forgetting that we must also be chastised. Also while we chastise we must watch carefully not to fall. Galatians 6:1

The joy of every leader and infact all believers is to see a good growth in the body of Christ. For no true believer rejoices in the downfall of a brethren. 

2 Corinthians 7:16

I am very happy now because I have complete confidence in you.

Yes, we as a body must do well. Even if we stumble we will not fall, for it is the Lord that holds us by His hands. 

I love this scripture below . . . It is my testimony and yours too, if you are saved. 

Psalms 37:23-24

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Glory to the Lord in the Highest. 

He calls us blessed. 

Love

@the watcher.