GODLY GRIEF: BATTLING SHAME

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. 9 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.

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 11 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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• It is not shameful to rejoice in godly grief, because it brings salvation and freedom! Yet, it is not shameful to grief with the grief of others, as we are a connected “brotherhood”.(Romans 12:15)

• Godly grief does not produce loss.

• Godly grief produces repentance (turning away) that leads to salvation (liberty, freedom, protection from danger) free from regret.

• If we are receiving shame, that is not God, as his grief brings repentance without regret.

• Worldly grief brings about death. Consider how your grief is causing you to feel. Is this grief to shame and death or grief to repentance and salvation?

• Godly grief produces earnestness (intense conviction) and eagerness (enthusiasm) to free yourself of the err, anger concerning the matter, fear of God (obedience), yearning desire, punishment (Proverbs 3:11-12, Revelation 3:19).

• At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.(Ezekiel 33:14-15)