Day 176 – Godly Grief

Today’s reading: 2 Cor 7

Paul continues on regarding rectifying the situation that had occurred in Corinth.  Here Paul makes an important point for us:

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved but because you were grieved into repenting, for you felt Godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.  For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death. 

This is a clear a statement as any that the Christian life will not be free from suffering.  It continues Paul larger themes that he as at this point articulated repeatedly.  The Corinthians were faithful converts but a person in their midst caused controversy and this resulted in grief.  Paul now points out that this grief was good because it led to repentance.  Notice, they had been converted before and thus we can presume that they were saved but this godly grief and repentance leads again to salvation.  Again, the idea of “once saved, always saved” is refuted.  Some measure of their salvation was lost but they obtain it again through repentance of their new error. 

Tomorrow: 2 Cor 8