Godly vs. Worldly Sorrow
Godly sorrow brings repentance and salvation, while worldly sorrow leads to death and despair.
Alan Redpath emphasizes the distinction between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow, explaining that godly sorrow leads to repentance and salvation, while worldly sorrow results in despair and death. He outlines that godly sorrow is rooted in the conviction of the Holy Spirit and a deep pain for breaking God's heart, whereas worldly sorrow stems from self-centered regret and the consequences of one's actions. Redpath encourages believers to recognize their sins as offenses against God and to seek true repentance that transforms their lives. He highlights the importance of turning towards Christ for forgiveness and the hope that comes from a deeper relationship with God. Ultimately, he calls for a genuine change of heart that leads to a renewed focus on Jesus.
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Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Cor. 7:10 NIV
Godly Sorrow:
1. Godly sorrow begins with the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
2. Godly sorrow is pain over breaking God's heart.
3. Godly sorrow is remorse over hurting and disappointing others.
4. Godly sorrow is heartfelt grief over violating God's law.
5. Godly sorrow receives Christ's forgiveness from the Cross.
6. Godly sorrow produces hope knowing that God's grace is sufficient for our sins.
7. Godly sorrow hungers for a deeper relationship with God and burns with the desire to please the Holy Spirit.
Worldly Sorrow:
1. Worldly sorrow begins with having gotten caught.
2. Worldly sorrow is pain over having to suffer the consequences of my actions.
3. Worldly sorrow is anger and frustration that life will be more difficult.
4. Worldly sorrow is grief that I did not get what I wanted.
5. Worldly sorrow attempts to earn God's approval through doing better and trying harder.
6. Worldly sorrow produces despair, I can never be good enough.
7. Worldly sorrow wants God to fix things and make life better.
When sorrow for sin has swept over your heart, and you have been deeply convicted of that which you have done and you have cried like David of old, "Against thee , thee only have I sinned"; when you have seen your sin not simply as an offense against the law of the land or a rejection of the voice of conscience, but as sin against God; when it is all over and your heart has been broken about it, will you then still be facing the same way?
Is it right-about-turn or is it as you were? Has there been a right-about-turn and a complete switch around and now an upward look into the face of the Lord Jesus? This the reality of repentance-something that has led you to His feet that has changed the direction of your life, that has caused you to turn right around, and with a broken heart come to Him for cleansing and forgiveness.
Alan Redpath, Blessings Out of Buffetings (Old Tappan, NJ: Revell, 1965), 137.
Sermon Outline
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Godly vs. Worldly Sorrow
- Conviction of the Holy Spirit
- Pain over breaking God's heart
- Remorse over hurting and disappointing others
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Characteristics of Godly Sorrow
- Heartfelt grief over violating God's law
- Receives Christ's forgiveness from the Cross
- Produces hope knowing God's grace is sufficient
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Characteristics of Worldly Sorrow
- Pain over having to suffer consequences
- Anger and frustration over difficult life
- Grief over not getting what I wanted
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Repentance and Right-about-Turn
- Facing the same way or a complete switch around
- Turning right around and coming to Jesus for cleansing
- Changing the direction of life with a broken heart
Key Quotes
“When sorrow for sin has swept over your heart, and you have been deeply convicted of that which you have done and you have cried like David of old, 'Against thee, thee only have I sinned';” — Alan Redpath
“This the reality of repentance-something that has led you to His feet that has changed the direction of your life, that has caused you to turn right around, and with a broken heart come to Him for cleansing and forgiveness.” — Alan Redpath
Application Points
- Recognize the difference between godly and worldly sorrow and let godly sorrow lead you to repentance.
- See your sin as an offense against God, not just the law of the land or a rejection of conscience.
- Turn right around and come to Jesus for cleansing and forgiveness with a broken heart.