Repentance with Godly Sorrow
Paul spoke to the Corinthians about repentance and cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh. He warned the church about being unequally yoked with unbelievers. “And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever” (II Corinthians 6:15)? The warning was to come out from among them and be separated. We are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16). God does not compromise and will not share his glory and worship with any other gods. Paul wrote to the church about their wrongdoings and he was joyful that they repented.
“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing” (II Corinthians 7:9). Paul was happy that his letters to the church made them sad. They were sad because of their wrongdoing and this led them to make changes. Their sorrow produced diligence, indignation of sin, increased their fear of God, their desire and zeal. Paul spoke about the wrongs which they did, in order to look after their souls as a good shepherd.
Ministers and leaders cannot worry about a gospel of popularity. Pleasing people is sure to cause displeasure to God. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalms 118:8). We have to ask ourselves, when we do what we do, who we are trying to please. People pleasing is a snare and we can make ourselves miserable from trying to please others. Saul lost the kingdom because he was more focused on pleasing people, than he was about pleasing God. “Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice” (I Samuel 15:24).
We have to preach the gospel and be instant in season and out of season. We teach the word to correct wrongdoing, to rebuke and to encourage. Ensuring that we address issues produces a balanced diet. Don’t just teach what is palatable or what will appeal to people’s taste and senses. We cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit, listen to the voice of God and teach what God wants us to say. Don’t dilute your message or stifle your conviction because the message offends someone. By all means be gracious and compassionate, but your message should convict people and lead them to godly repentance with sorrow.
A.P.-Y.
Published by Anneta Pinto-Young
I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession.
Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm.
I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing.
I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.
View all posts by Anneta Pinto-Young
Published
June 23, 2022
