Paul wrote to the church at Corinth
concerning several issues which they needed to address and correct.
Not the least of these issues involved a member of their assembly
who was living in an openly adulterous relationship. This was a particularly
egregious relationship since the young man who was mentioned
was fornicating with his stepmother. There are several lessons to
be learned from this situation. One is that even those who are
professing believers in Christ can be overtaken in the foulest
of sins in the flesh. Two is that these sins are even
more egregious because they are carried out by those who claim
to have more light than those who are the children of wrath.
Three is that these open sins cannot be tolerated in the midst
of those who call themselves brethren. To turn a blind eye
toward such debauchery is to tacitly approve of it and to
allow it to continue unchecked is to become guilty of the same,
since the church is one body. In reading Paul's second epistle
to the Corinthians, we discover that these matters were dealt
with by the Corinthian church, and the young man was brought
to repentance according to the mercy of God, and he was restored
to fellowship among those with whom he shared a common profession
of faith. One of the evidences of a work of the Spirit in any
person or church is that they exhibit an attitude of repentance
when confronted with their errors. Most of the time, when we hear
the word repentance mentioned, if we hear it at all, in the
preaching of the modern day, it is used to describe an activity
which men decide to undertake as a matter of their free will.
Yet when we find true repentance described in the scripture, it
is always the result of a work of God in the heart and has fruits
that can be identified. The work of God produces results
which cannot be mistaken. We see this evidence of repentance
in Peter as he wept bitterly when the cock crowed. We see
it in King David after Samuel declared, Thou art the man. His
resultant prayer is found in Psalm 51. And who can overlook
the very poignant confession of Job? I have heard of thee
by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee, wherefore
I abhor myself and repent and dust and ashes. Repentance in
its simplest form is a change of direction. The change of direction,
however, is not one which is simply decided upon, but is one
which is brought about by a sovereign work of God's Spirit in the sons
of God. One of the consequences of sin
is sorrow, as we read the Lord's declaration to Adam. Cursed is
the ground for thy sake. In sorrow thou shalt eat of it
all the days of thy life. Sin produces sorrow in a natural
sense, and there is even a form of repentance which is the result
of that natural sorrow. This is illustrated by the drunkard
who, in his stupor, beats his wife and abuses his children.
Then, when he sobers up, he is heartbroken over his actions
and swears that he'll never do it again. This is true sorrow,
but it is not the godly sorrow of which Paul speaks to the Corinthians.
Rather, this is that repentance which needs to be repented of.
This is the sorrow of the world which worketh death. This is
illustrated quite clearly in the sorrow which overwhelmed
Judas as he hanged himself. This natural sorrow only leads
to death. It cannot minister life. True
repentance, however, is an evidence that life is present in those
whom the Lord is pleased to give this gift. Sorrow always accompanies
this repentance, but it is not a sorrow which results in death,
but rather is the manifestation of spiritual life. This is that
sorrow after a godly sort, of which Paul speaks, which produces
a change of mind, which then causes a change of direction.
Those fruits of godly sorrow which produce repentance are
set forth by Paul as he describes the reaction of the church at
Corinth. When a man is moved with godly sorrow, he is not
easily distracted, but desires to find a remedy for the situation
he is in. When godly sorrow is present,
a man desires to be clear from that which has caused his reproach
and brought shame to his Lord. He can then see the awful nature
of his crimes and the one against whom these crimes are committed.
Even as David said, Against thee, thee only have I sinned and done
evil in thy sight. In the flesh, indignation is
most often hypocritical, but there is a true indignation,
which is the fruit of the Spirit, wherein a man is made to hate
and despise his errors. That man who is acquainted with
his sin and the absolute holy character of God must tremble
when he is reminded of the corruption that yet remains in himself,
and the wicked deeds which are produced thereby. There can be
no more troubling thought to a child of God than the prospect
of being cast out of the Lord's favor. It is the desire of those
in whom godly sorrow has had its perfect work to love and
serve God. As David prayed, wash me thoroughly
from mine iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. The sacrifices
of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, O God,
thou wilt not despise. Do you know what godly sorrow
is? If you would like a free transcript of this broadcast,
email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.