2nd Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
This passage of scripture describes in a nutshell how the effects of godly sorrow are manifested in those who genuinely seek forgiveness and pardon from God. The sorrow that is mentioned is not merely regret for the results for a wrong course of action, but rather sorrow for sinning against God or our fellowman. One of the primary evidences of true sorrow for sin is when a person accepts full responsibility for a wrong course of action, and is willing to stand the consequences, whatever they might be. Another evidence of genuine repentance is a person's attitude towards God's grace and mercy, in that they do not think of themselves as being worthy or entitled to His pardon, but rather display a contrite and humble spirit.
After Jacob had to flee his homeland because of the fraud he had practiced on his father Isaac, and the ensuing threats from his brother Esau, he traveled to Padanaram, the home of his uncle Laban, and it was on this journey that God met him, and the process of godly sorrow and repentance was begun. After we have gotten ourselves into trouble, God is the one who always comes looking for us, and He offers pardon, peace and assurance, if we are willing to accept His gracious overtures. This is what took place with Jacob as he lay sleeping, alone and friendless on the wilderness floor. Let's read:
Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.
Now it is of critical importance that when God offers us pardon and assurance that we act upon it, for genuine repentance is not something that originates with the human agent, but rather it is God who gives it as a gift. It is critically important for all Christians and every member of the human family to understand this important point, lest we erroneously conclude that we can somehow generate sorrow for sin at our own convenience. Let's read:
Acts 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Romans 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man" .... 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
When Jacob was commanded to return to his home country, he remembered the faults which had forced him to flee in the first place, and as he pondered the fraud that was practiced, and the mercies of God in sparing his life, his attitude was not one of brazen presumption as if he was entitled to God's mercy, but he was rather humbled as he thought of God's unwarranted kindness towards him. This attitude not only sets the stage for pardon and peace, but also for reinstatement to God's favor, as manifested in Jacob's own history. Let's read:
Genesis 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac" ... 10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant" ... 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
King Saul on the other hand displayed an arrogant attitude in the face of blatant, stubborn disobedience to a plain command of God, and because of this, his repentance was not the godly sorrow spoken of in our passage for today, for he repeatedly tried to maintain his innocence when he knew full well that he had walked contrary to the will of God. Let's read:
1st Samuel 15:13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord. 14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? 20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.
With this attitude The Lord could do very little for Saul, who entrenched himself deeply in self-righteousness, when he knew he was in the wrong. Godly sorrow always leads us to first admit wrong-doing, second, to accept responsibility for our actions, thirdly, to not blame others or circumstances, fourth, to be willing to suffer any consequences for our wrongful actions, and last but not least, to accept of God's forgiveness and pardon with a humble and contrite spirit, with the intention of not repeating former mistakes. Anything short of this does not originate with God, and therefore cannot lead to a reinstatement of God's favor.
In our day and in our own experiences, it's important for us to understand that it's not our sins that keeps the forgiveness of God from taking effect in our lives, but rather the attitude towards His gift of repentance when He offers it to us. If we have sinned, whether ignorantly of deliberately, God will grant unto us godly sorrow if we confess our sins, and if it is our intention to part with the devil. There's no need to wallow in our infirmities and short-comings, for God's work of salvation is intensely focused on forgiveness and restoration. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to seek God's face when we have fallen into sin, and if we sincerely desire a change of heart, God guarantees that He will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Let's read:
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!