The link to my book - Destroy and Deliver (Autobiography)

Tuesday 8 July 2014

Worldly Sorrow!

(2Corinthians 7:6) “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by…”

I have intentionally left out the end of that verse; it is open ended for the sake of each individual finding their own comfort as they fill in the blanks. The Apostle Paul found comfort when his brother in Christ, Titus, arrived! If we are tired and weary we needn’t go far into the vault of our memories to draw on the recollections of God comforting us; just yesterday we broke bread and I was freshly reminded that the death I deserved was paid for by God, Jesus Christ hung and died on a cruel Roman cross in my stead! What sweet comfort to my soul! It is those reality checks that should bring with them a multitude of comforts. What of the times when sin seemed to have its clutches holding so tightly it was almost impossible to breathe, when everyone else had thrown in the towel or so it seemed; It was there that my God mercifully corrected the error of my ways. O what comfort! In hindsight, even the severe lashings as it were, have been comforting, to know that my God cares for me, is too wonderful for comprehension!

It is one thing to know God but quite another entity to be known of Him! Do not let hardship rob you of your joy in the Lord; in fact it has been orchestrated to teach us obedience. If grief teaches us to repent and rely on our God we know that we have not veered from the path that leads to eternal life. If pity overtakes us in a worldly manner be sure of this fact: we have turned right instead of left at the last intersection. There is a repentance that leads to life without regret, once it has run its course we will be smothered with the joy of the Lord! No one enjoys the throws of discipline, but when we understand its purpose we will learn to welcome it! So long as our repenting is after a godly sort. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2Corinthians 7:10) – Who hasn't somewhere in life been subjected to the “woe is me” syndrome Club? Worldly sorrow is nothing more than a destructive cancer that if left untreated will bring forth death!

I recently drove a friend around who was severely infected by that vicious disease; he withered away to nothing just prior to breathing his last; in fact it didn't only shred pounds from his weight, it also left him speechless and being fed through a “peg” (feeding him through a syringe directly into his stomach). It was a very trying time for him as well as those around him! Radiation did not help, he was too far gone! Cancer achieved its objective, he died last year!

If “worldly sorrow” is allowed to brew; the results can be catastrophic, treatment is needed sooner than later! I have another friend who was also diagnosed with exactly the same cancer but he treated it sooner and now by God’s grace is in remission. He nipped it in the bud! We must nip “worldly sorrow” in the bud and the only effective medication for that is “repentance after a Godly manner”! When we find God’s forgiveness we are set free from the decay of “worldly sorrow”. We must call on the One who has the power to save! Psychologists will only ever do repairs, patch work is their specialty, they can only help people to cope with their symptoms, but they will never free the individual from death! The only way we will find freedom is through the gospel, as it is the power of God unto salvation! We must all find forgiveness through the Lord Jesus Christ, if not death will be our lot in life!

Sin has in one form or another latched onto mankind but until we acknowledge that we are in fact the sinner and not the victim we will never find freedom as we remain in the clutches of “worldly sorrow”. The Lord Jesus has this to say; No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

I implore you; do not let the trickery of sin trap you into the justification of the past actions of another as it robs you of finding forgiveness. We can do nothing to change the past but we most certainly have it in our power to change our futures;For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."” (Romans 10:11) “Worldly sorrow” will only ever lead to shame! We can all be saved from its destructive powers;For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."” (Romans 10:13)

BUT CALL WE MUST!

Signing off

Tyrone

    

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