The Online Bible Class presents
RISE UP O MEN OF GOD!
Paul Ditoro
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to
be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death
(2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV).
The New King James version has "godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted..."
The classic definition of repentance is: to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction, regret or guilt):
An illustration of godly sorrow may be seen from the man who was caught speeding and the policeman pulled him over and gave him a ticket. The man, being a Christian, was mortified that he had broken the law (Romans 13:1-5) and truly repented at his violation which made him a more law abiding citizen. The sorrow of the world is also illustrated by the speeder who was given a ticket, and he was sorry he got caught. In spiritual matters, worldly sorrow does not produce the change in behavior that will lead to eternal life.
The classic illustration of repentance is given by the Lord:
But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not (Matt 21:28-30).
The former had a change of mind in the right direction. That's right! Repentance must be in the right direction. A person may repent of drinking alcohol only to take up cocaine. That one went in the wrong direction. Paul told the elders of the church at Ephesus that he, "(Testified) both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ"(Acts 20:21). This indicates that we must be mindful of the will of God in our daily lives so that when tempted, we will know which way to turn.
To be sure, before one can be mindful of the will of God, that one must first know His will. He must then be willing to submit to that will. Jesus said the attitude one must have in order to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven is one of poverty of spirit.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3
One method of understanding a Bible passage is to consider the opposite of what is being taught. The one who is rich in spirit is full of that spirit of self, and there is no room for godly instruction. The one who is poor in spirit, or who has poverty of spirit understands his own lowly estate and is willing to empty himself of his own will and adopt the will of God. This is one who is willing to have the mind of Christ as the apostle Paul commands us:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who can empty self and yield to the Father. Yes, it requires a humbling of self, but then the glad result is that God will lift you up.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4:10)
So humbly seek to know the will of God, be ready to adjust your walk in His direction, and have a powerful day in His service.
ac
"RISE UP O MEN OF GOD! is a part of the Online Bible Class sponsored by the St. George Church of Christ, St. George, Utah. Visit our Web Site and view the Bible study opportunities that are offered!
Reply to: pjditoro@hotmail.com