Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:6-12
Godly Sorrow Over Sin
Intro.
1. In a secular society, sin is reduced to personal definitions that minimize and rationalize. In a secular society, sin hurts only the present, with no eternal impact (since to such there is no after life).
a. Does not change the true nature of sin, Rom. 3:23; 6:23.
b. Sin is against God (Psa. 51:4), against others (Gen. 4:9) and against oneself (Eccl. 12:13).
c. Reality and seriousness of sin is seen in the Savior, Rom. 5:8-9.
2. Sin must be addressed and overcome in Christ through repentance, Acts 17:30; 2 Pet. 3:9.
3. Repentance is successful when it is produced by godly sorrow.
4. Bible teaching on sin, godly sorrow and the repentance of sins.
I. CHANGING HOW WE LOOK AT SIN.
A. First, We Must Know what Sin Is, 1 Jno. 3:4; 5:17; Jas. 4:17; Matt. 7:23.
1. Knowledge of truth is necessary to assess ourselves before God, Acts 2:36-37.
2. Desire to eliminate sin, Acts 2:37.
3. Fear of God is essential, Rom. 3:18; cf. Prov. 8:13.
B. Then, We Must Know What Sin Does.
1. Spiritual death, Eph. 2:1.
2. Alienates us from God, Col. 1:21.
3. Defiles our heart and life, 2 Cor. 7:1.
4. Puts us under God's wrath, Rom. 1:18.
C. Some Specific Changes We Must Make in How We Look at Sin.
1. Big-Little sin distinctions.
a. Lessens seriousness/False sense of security/Complacency and neglect.
b. Horrible, bad, evil... vs. "Everybody does it."
c. Jesus did not classify sin, Luke 13:1-5.
d. All sin brings spiritual death, Rom. 6:23.
2. "Nobody's hurt...It's nobody's business."
a. Attitude covers up sin and doesn't want help in overcoming sin!
b. Somebody is always hurt by sin.
c. Sin is always love's business, 1 Pet. 4:8.
3. Ceasing sin = Repentance.
a. While repentance demands ceasing sin (Rev. 9:20-21), ceasing sin does not automatically mean repentance has occurred.
b. Danger of being caught / Risks of the sin / To get people off your back.
c. Ceasing sin must and will reflect the repentant heart.
4. Need for godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7:10.
a. Sorrow of the world is selfish.
b. Godly sorrow empties oneself to God.
II. SORROWFUL RESPONSES TO SIN, 2 Cor. 7:10-11.
-"Mental suffering, pain, anguish"
A. The Sorrow of the World.
1. Anguish over the effects of sin upon sinner:
a. Loss of personal advantage, Heb. 12:17.
b. Caught and punished, Gen. 4:9-14.
c. cf. "I'd do it again if I knew I could get away with it!"
2. Reveals an impenitent heart, Rom. 2:3-5.
a. Produces death, cf. Matt. 27:3-5.
b. Because it does not turn one back to God.
c. Evidence of irreverence and a hard heart.
B. Conversely, Godly Sorrow Produces Repentance unto Salvation.
1. Anguish for the sin itself, Psa. 38:18.
a. Doesn't make excuses for sin, it makes changes, cf. Lk. 19:8.
b. Changes one's will and actions, Lk. 22:62, 32; 1 Tim. 1:12-15.
2. The fruits of godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7:11:
a. Earnest care: To make things right.
b. Clearing: Through necessary changes.
c. Indignation: For their sin (1 Cor. 5:2).
d. Fear: Of God.
e. Longing: To be right with God.
f. Zeal: Fervent to make corrections.
g. Avenging: Error and its effects.
h. Purity: God's approval shown thereby
III. ONLY GODLY SORROW PRODUCES GENUINE REPENTANCE THAT RECEIVES FORGIVENESS, Acts 3:19; 8:22-24; Jas. 4:8-10.
Conclusion
1. How we look at sin influences how we chose to deal with our sin.
2. We must have godly sorrow for our sin: Repent -- Cease -- Forgiven -- Rejoice in God.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: April 17, 2015