REAL REPENTANCE

Paul’s letter to the Church at Corinth has a contrast on real repentance. “For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while— I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.” (2 Corinthians 7:11)

This is the order:
You were made sorrowful to the point of repentance
You were made sorrowful according to the will of God
Sorrow that is according to the will of God
Produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation
The sorrow of the world produces death
What earnestness this very thing,
This godly sorrow has produced in you

Tim Keller (1950-2023) pastor and author wrote:
“Legalistic remorse says, “I broke God’s rules,” while real repentance says, “I broke God’s heart.”

“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Jesus