Repentance
What is repentance? 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." Repentance is a word that simply means 'to change direction', to turn around and go the other way. It is a change of mind and action. Contrary to popular belief, repentance is not an emotion. It's an action. Most people think repentance means feeling bad. But to repent simply means to change the direction of your life.
With that being said, Paul identifies two kinds of sorrow--worldly sorrow that leads one to be hung up with guilt, and godly sorrow that leads to repentance. These two types of sorrow can best be illustrated by Judas and Peter. There is a remarkable parallel between Judas and Peter. Both were called devils by Jesus. Of Judas, Jesus said, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil." John 6:70. And to Peter He said, "Get thee behind me Satan...." Matthew 16:23. Jesus warned both Judas and Peter they would fail: Concerning Judas He said, "He who dips his bread with Me will betray Me." Matt.26:23. And of Peter He said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Matt.26:34. Both Judas and Peter repented: Judas repented in himself, "Then Judas...seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders." Matt.27:3. And Peter: "Peter remembered the word of Jesus...so he went out and wept bitterly." Matt.26:75. It is here where the parallel ends. Judas' repentance was the sorrow of the world that says, "Look at the mess I'm in." Peter, on the other hand, repented to the Lord and changed direction of his life. Godly sorrow works repentance. And repentance brings salvation. Judas went down to hell. Peter went on to greatness. Both repented. One felt bad because of the mess he was in. But the other turned his back on his failure, determined to walk in a totally new direction.
Godly sorrow works repentance, which brings salvation never to be regretted. Peter knew this. Paul knew this, and he's trying to get the Corinthians to understand this. The question is, do you?
With that being said, Paul identifies two kinds of sorrow--worldly sorrow that leads one to be hung up with guilt, and godly sorrow that leads to repentance. These two types of sorrow can best be illustrated by Judas and Peter. There is a remarkable parallel between Judas and Peter. Both were called devils by Jesus. Of Judas, Jesus said, "Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil." John 6:70. And to Peter He said, "Get thee behind me Satan...." Matthew 16:23. Jesus warned both Judas and Peter they would fail: Concerning Judas He said, "He who dips his bread with Me will betray Me." Matt.26:23. And of Peter He said, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." Matt.26:34. Both Judas and Peter repented: Judas repented in himself, "Then Judas...seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders." Matt.27:3. And Peter: "Peter remembered the word of Jesus...so he went out and wept bitterly." Matt.26:75. It is here where the parallel ends. Judas' repentance was the sorrow of the world that says, "Look at the mess I'm in." Peter, on the other hand, repented to the Lord and changed direction of his life. Godly sorrow works repentance. And repentance brings salvation. Judas went down to hell. Peter went on to greatness. Both repented. One felt bad because of the mess he was in. But the other turned his back on his failure, determined to walk in a totally new direction.
Godly sorrow works repentance, which brings salvation never to be regretted. Peter knew this. Paul knew this, and he's trying to get the Corinthians to understand this. The question is, do you?
posted by Royce Hendry at
6:07 AM
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