Understanding True Repentance
– Second Corinthians Seven –
God has made wonderful promises
to His people. He said, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters,
saith the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:17-18) God made these promises
to us also. We must stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits
from being clean. "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness
in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1) This appeal of God is simply an
appeal for spiritual purity and godliness among Christians everywhere.
In this chapter Paul returned to talk about his search for Titus, the joy he had
when he was found and of his thankfulness for how the Corinthians had received
and treated Titus and of their reaction to his letter. He said, "Nevertheless
God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of
Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation
wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your
mourning, your fervent mind toward me;
so that I rejoiced the more." (2 Corinthians 7:6-7)
Paul's earlier letter had
caused much sorrow at
Perfect holiness in the fear of God – 2
Corinthians 7:1-3: Since God has given us His great promises we should stay away from
everything that contaminates and defiles either our body or our spirit. Peter
wrote, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust." (2 Peter 1:4) We should
honor God in reverential fear. Our goal should be to be completely like Him.
The possibility of God's blessings in our life should motivate us to purity of
life in Christ. Our bodies are made in the image of God and we must likewise be
in His image form the standpoint of godliness. Any "defilement" must
be left behind because it is unChrist-like! Paul said, "I beseech you
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
Paul asked the Corinthians to
open their hearts again to him and his fellow workers. He had given these
brethren severe rebukes. He did not do this in any way to mistreat them, wrong
them or cheat them. He rebuked their sins because he cared about them. He said
nothing to condemn these brethren. Whether he lived or died he wanted them to
know that they were in his heart and that he cared about their eternal welfare.
He trusted them completely and was very proud of them. In all his trouble he
was still very happy.
God
comforted Paul by sending Titus – 2 Corinthians 7:5-8: When Paul and
his companions came to
Paul had
rebuked these brethren sharply and it had made both him and they feel bad. His
letter hurt them for a while but it caused them to be genuinely sorry for their
sins. Paul felt bad writing the letter like a parent regrets having to
discipline a child.
Godly sorrow works repentance – 2 Corinthians 7:9-11:
Paul rejoiced because their sorrow and hurt feelings caused them to turn back
to God. He had no desire to harm or damage them in any way. He only wanted to
help. His hard letter had benefited the church at
Godly sorrow caused the brethren to be concerned about their duty
to God. "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to
salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2 Corinthians 7:10) When they did
their duty before God then they could speak in their own defense. They felt indig-nation when they faced the guilt of tolerating the
fornicating brother in their fellowship. These brethren became pure when they
practiced the discipline required by God. Once that was done they were no
longer guilty.
Paul's joy and confidence in the Corinthians – 2 Corinthians
7:12-16: Paul did not write to
Paul had
spoken encouraging words to Titus about the church at
Will you allow Jesus to control you life completely? Will you love
Him and serve Him with your whole heart? To become a Christian you must hear
the gospel (Romans