“SORROW AFTER A GODLY SORT” [2 Cor. 7:11] – Memorial Subject (1st April 2026)
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” — 2 Corinthians 7:10.
Two Kinds of Sorrow
The Apostle[Paul] in our text[2 Cor. 7:10] draws a clear distinction between two kinds of sorrow. One is “godly sorrow”, which leads to repentance and ultimately to life and salvation. The other is “sorrow of the world”, which is merely regret over consequences and which does not bring the heart into harmony with God. The difference between the two is not only in the depth of feeling, but in the source and the result. Godly sorrow arises from a recognition that we have come short of the divine will; worldly sorrow arises from disappointment, loss, or fear of punishment[especially pertaining to earthly affairs]. The Scriptures declare: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psalm 51:17). “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit.” (Isaiah 66:2).
Godly Sorrow Leads to Repentance
The Apostle states that godly sorrow worketh repentance. True repentance signifies a change of mind, a turning about, a coming back into harmony with God. When one realizes that his course has been contrary to the divine will, his heart is pained — not merely because of the consequences, but because he has grieved the Lord whose favor he prizes above all things. We have a beautiful illustration of this in the case of the Apostle Peter. When he remembered the Lord’s words, “he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61-62). His sorrow was not despair, but a sorrow that led to renewed humility and faithfulness in the Lord’s service. The Prophet also exhorts: “Let the wicked forsake his way… and let him return unto the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:7). “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” (Acts 3:19)[In Tamil Acts 3:20]
Worldly Sorrow Worketh Death
The Apostle contrasts godly sorrow with the sorrow of the world. This is the sorrow which men experience when they reap the bitter consequences of wrongdoing. Such sorrow does not lead to true reformation of heart. Judas Iscariot furnishes a solemn illustration. We read that he repented himself, yet his sorrow did not bring him to God, but to despair. (Matthew 27:3-5). Thus worldly sorrow, lacking faith and hope in divine mercy, tends toward discouragement and death.
A Special Season for Self-Examination
As the Lord’s people, while we commemorate our Redeemer’s death, it is especially appropriate that we examine our hearts and lives. The Apostle[Paul] instructs: “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28). And again, “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (1 Cor. 11:26). The Memorial season calls to mind the great sacrifice by which our redemption was secured. “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things… but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Pet. 1:18-19). “He was wounded for our transgressions.” (Isa. 53:5). Meditation upon these truths should produce in the Lord’s people a deep humility and godly sorrow for every imperfection and failure to fully honour Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
The Proper Fruit of the Memorial
The Apostle[Paul] in the subsequent verse v.11, shows the results of true repentance: “…what [1]carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what [2]clearing of yourselves, yea, what [3]indignation, yea, what [4]fear, yea, what [5]vehement desire, yea, what [6]zeal, yea, what [7]revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor. 7:11). Thus the remembrance of our Lord’s sacrifice should lead to:
1. Deeper appreciation of the ransom sacrifice. (1 Tim. 2:5-6)
2. A determination to follow in the Master’s footsteps. (1 Pet. 2:21)
3. Renewed consecration to the divine service. (Rom. 12:1)
4. Greater watchfulness over our thoughts, words, and conduct. (Prov. 4:23)
Let us therefore approach the Memorial with hearts filled with godly sorrow, humility, and gratitude. Such sorrow is not discouraging, but blessed and beneficial, because it brings us nearer to the Lord and strengthens our resolve to walk [more]faithfully in the narrow way. May the remembrance of Him who “died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3) — deepen in us the spirit of devotion, that we may partake worthily of the emblems and continue steadfastly in the footsteps of our Redeemer until the completion of our course.
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Good subject. Courtesy: ChatGPT.
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