Sorry Is Not Repentance
“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)
You can say sorry a hundred times and never change. Sometimes an apology is just a way to buy time and keep doing the same thing. The people around us learn to stop believing our sorries.
Paul draws a line between two kinds of sorrow. “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Worldly sorrow feels bad about getting caught. Godly sorrow turns around.
John the Baptist told the crowds, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Repentance isn’t a feeling. It has fruit you can see: a changed habit, a repaired relationship, a different choice next time.
If you keep apologizing for the same thing, ask God for the second kind of sorrow. And then take one step that shows it, even a small one.
Read it yourself
Read 2 Corinthians 7:8–11. List what godly sorrow produced in the Corinthians.
Is there something you keep saying sorry for without changing?
Lord, give me godly sorrow that leads to real change. Help me bear fruit that fits repentance. Amen.