GODLY SORROW WORKS REPENTANCE AND SALVATION

 You shall not be disgraced because of the anointing of God's favour upon you.

Good -Life Devotional: GODLY SORROW WORKS REPENTANCE AND SALVATION

Rev Michael Benson Ajayi 

   In 1 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul confronts a grievous sin within the Corinthian church—adultery and incest, which the congregation shamefully tolerated. A man had taken his father's wife, and rather than mourning, the church was proud. Paul sternly rebuked them, saying, "Should you not rather have mourned?" (v.2). He did not hesitate to judge the matter, commanding the church to expel the offender “so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord” (v.5).

In 2 Corinthians 7, Paul reflects on that rebuke. Though he momentarily regretted the sorrow it caused, he never regretted taking firm action. Why? Because their sorrow was godly, not worldly. Paul wrote, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (v.10). The Greek word for repentance is metanoia, meaning a change of mind and direction—a full turning from sin. Salvation in Greek is sōtēria, signifying deliverance, preservation, and wholeness in Christ.

Verse 11 highlights the fruit of godly sorrow: “What earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment!” The word for revenge or punishment in Greek, ekdikēsis, implies a righteous avenging of sin—a desire to right the wrong. These are marks of true revival.

Tragically, many modern preachers avoid rebuke to preserve attendance and offerings. But this compromise has led to moral decay in both the church and society. Proverbs 27:5 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” Revelation 3:19 declares, “Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.”

Holy rebukes protects businesses , dreams and  families from falling apart . 

A church without holy rebuke is a church without holiness. Godly sorrow is painful—but it works repentance, restoration, and a renewed fear of God. Let the church rise again in truth.

  In our daily prayers we should seek a healthy appetite for God's word and hearts open to holy rebukes .

PRAYER; Heavenly Father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Spirit and power to live in holiness.

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