Godly Grief

I have been profoundly blessed these passed few days by 2 Corinthians 7:8-11:

“For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it-though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, wheras worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.”

The reason I have so loved the above verses is because of how clearly it defines living for God by reading His word. Starting at the beginning, Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians (scholars aren’t sure if this is 1 Corinthians or not, but it seems likely) that caused them sadness. 2 things to remember about this letter. First, 1 Corinthians (if it was 1 Corinthians) is quite famously hard on the Corinthian church, rebuking them for their failure in areas such as unity, the Lord’s supper, and other such things. Secondly, the letter is the Word of God. It is true and so exposes the false and evil. With these two in mind it is obvious why Paul’s letter would cause the Corinthians grief; God (through Paul) had pointed out specific wrongs that they had committed. Yet the grief felt here is not worldly grief with no hope, in fact, it is quite the opposite. This is godly grief. This grief brings you to repentance and through repentance to a renewed earnestness in your faith, a indignation, a fear, a longing and zeal to correct that which was wrong. A grief that has the ultimate product of a “salvation without regret”. How wonderful this must be. What a contrast to what Paul said of those in the Church who do nothing for the gospel in 1 Corinthians: “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.” (1 Cor 3:15). I do not want to be saved “only as through fire”, but strive for a “salvation without regret”.

Let me summarize a bit better the point. As a Christian, we must constantly read the Word of God to produce within us a godly grief. This godly grief sees our sin, and seeks with eagerness to correct it. The end result of this is salvation without regret, not as though just escaping judgement, but living the full life that Jesus promises in John 10:10. Think of what would be possible if we really did read the Bible constantly, and so instilling within us godly grief everyday. Think of the results.

The understanding of this idea of godly grief has helped me understand several passages. Here I’ve written out a few without an explanation for the sake of space. Maybe someday I’ll write a book about it and I can give you a more detailed explanation, but for now I’ll leave them to be figured out on your own: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3), “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4), “but his (the blessed man’s) delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2), “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor 4:16), “I urge you therefore brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2), “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17), “Whoever says ‘I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4).

Seek godly grief, so that you may obtain a salvation without regret. I pray for it now everyday.