‎Jim Vining‎ to Understanding the Times SS Class

1 hr · 

2 Corinthians 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. (NLT)

Stop for a moment and consider the admonition at the beginning of this verse – God wants us to experience sorrow. Sorrow is not something we tend to embrace or enjoy. There is much sorrow in this world that has no influence upon man’s relationship with God. If we focus upon the unfairness and pain we may miss the very thing God is trying to bring into our lives. There is a vast difference between godly sorrow and feeling sorry for ourselves. Often God uses circumstances to reveal our inherent weakness and need to bring us to a place of humble devotion and faith. Sorrow is not a sin if it leads us toward humility, brokenness and contrition toward God. Sin is defined by our unwillingness to accept the absolute sovereignty of God in every circumstance of our lives. God will use every trial, every failure, every obstruction and every crisis to bring us closer to His infinite love and eternal purpose if we allow His Holy Spirit to transform our thinking from temporal to eternal. We must never abandon our need for repentance and brokenness before our infinitely holy Creator. Spiritual growth will require a constant acknowledgement of our weakness and sinful nature to embrace our spiritual heritage. A heart after God every acknowledges its unworthiness to receive what we have been provided. 

Read through the Bible in one year – May 14/ John 4:1-30; 2 Kings 19,20,21