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. [2 Corinthians 7.10]
It is not wrong to be sorry. It is not wrong to experience sorrow.
However, there is a right way to handle sorrow and a wrong way to handle sorrow - and we must discern the difference.
When we experience sorrow, there is a key response we must be on lookout for: repentance. Paul is very clear here that if we experience sorrow without turning away from sin (repentance), we will experience spiritual death.
I am not making this up - the verse above states it clearly.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our family, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our friends, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our church, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our work, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our city, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our state, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
When we feel sadness - sorrow - about the condition of our nation, that is God's calling on our life to repent.
IF WE ARE CONTENT TO SIMPLY BE SAD ABOUT ANY GIVEN SITUATION WE ARE COMMITTING SPIRITUAL SUICIDE!
Whether we recognize it as such or not, when we experience sorrow, something is not lining up with the Kingdom - something is not reflecting God's Kingdom - we know in our hearts something is wrong (in either us or the circumstance - or both). If, in any situation, the Kingdom is not first, then repentance is the only solution.
If something in my family causes me sorrow, it is MY family and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my friends causes me sorrow, they are MY friends and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my church causes me sorrow, it is MY church and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my work causes me sorrow, it is MY work and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my city causes me sorrow, it is MY city and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my state causes me sorrow, it is MY state and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If something in my nation causes me sorrow, it is MY nation and therefore MY responsibility to lead out in repentance.
If we do not repent for any of these situations that cause sorrow, we are contributing to spiritual death - in both the situation and in our own lives. We must remain Kingdom-focused and understand that Jesus preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand!"
Father, You are teaching me about personal accountability for every situation I encounter. You are teaching me about the necessity of a repentant lifestyle. You are teaching me about Your Kingdom and my need to repent with every advancement nearer Your Kingdom and Kingdom-living. Thank You!
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