Godly grief is necessary for everyone. True repentance is impossible without godly sorrow. In 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, we read: “Now I’m overjoyed—not because I made you sad, but because your grief led you to a deep repentance. You experienced godly sorrow, and as God intended, it brought about gain for you, not loss, so that no harm has been done by us. God designed us to feel remorse over sin in order to produce repentance that leads to victory. This leaves us with no regrets. But the sorrow of the world works death” (TPT). If we do not have godly grief, we cannot have repentance. You do not change your mind without reason. The godly sorrow is remorse over the sin that leads us to repent, to change our minds and no longer want to sin. This repentance leads to salvation and freedom and forgiveness. Godly grief is necessary for everyone.
Unfortunately today, we have serious issues when it comes to godly sorrow. Why? We teach that everyone can have faith in Jesus Christ but we neglect to speak about sin so there is no focus on godly grief or a need for repentance. We do not want to offend anyone or make anyone uncomfortable. We shy away from talking about the wages of sin or even sin itself. Sometimes we sugarcoat things and even accept some sins as “not so bad.” As we slowly accept some sins, redefine sins, and elevate sinners, we forget about accountability, about godly sorrow, about sanctification and God’s plan to redeem the world and make all things new.
Neglecting to discuss sin removes power from the whole equation. We cannot experience the forgiveness, the freedom, the salvation — the mighty works of God — if we are unable to experience godly sorrow. There’s no need for godly sorrow if we are too blind to recognize that we have sinned against God and to accept the true weight of this sin. This weight of sin is not simply the consequences of the sin, but rather, the separation from God, the going against God, in the act of the sin itself. If you only care about the consequences of sin, you are not truly repenting.
Many people have moved far, far away from godly sorrow and repentance. Many people have ignored God’s Word and created a new path of a little bit of Jesus and a whole lot of whatever deemed right by the world. Some people have even decided to forgo Jesus altogether, because there is no need for a Savior when there is no need for saving, right? Sadly, a life without godly sorrow means a life without a true relationship with Jesus Christ. When you realize that you have sinned, that you have gone against what God intended — if you truly love God, there is this deep sorrow felt because you have gone against the One you love. If you have true faith in Jesus, your heart will break because you are separated from the One who is your everything.
Today, seek God with your whole heart and you will find Him. If the Spirit is convicting you of any sin, lay it before God, ask for His forgiveness, and trust that you have been forgiven. Do not let the sin stand between you and God. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. This is the intimacy you were always meant to have with God. God sent His one and only Son to pay for your sins so that you could have this intimacy with Him. If you see any sins being sugarcoated or overlooked, stand firm on the Truth of God. Be bold. Offer others the full Gospel leaving nothing out so people do not trade true hope and forgiveness for worldly comfort.
Heavenly Father, I have sinned and fall short of Your glory. Lord, I thank You for the forgiveness You offer me through the blood of Christ Jesus. Create in me a pure heart. Lead me along the path of everlasting life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!!
Tania Gutekunst 