Twin City church of Christ Blog
“June 18, 2024 - Good Grief”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsGood Grief
Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:10-16
As Paul explains why he is comforted by the Corinthians’ reception of his hard letter, he distinguishes between different types of grief. “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”(2 Cor 7:10). Both states are painful but Paul sees a difference based on what types of behaviors they produce. “Worldly grief produces death” because while we may feel sad, we do not necessarily change or grow from our sadness. “Worldly grief” speaks to patterns of behavior that hurt us but we never learn from.
Godly grief is different: “For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter”(2 Cor 7:11). This style of sadness lights a fire under us. We are suddenly determined not to duplicate our wrong (“fear”). We are furious with ourselves (“indignation”) and passionate about living in a higher way (“zeal”). In the case of the Corinthians, they have eagerly addressed the situation with a man living in sin among them despite the challenges the situation presents. Not only has their response encouraged Paul, but it has also blessed Titus: “his spirit has been refreshed by you all” and “his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling”(2 Cor 7:13, 15). Watching brothers passionately do what is right transforms us.
When Paul makes a distinction between worldly and godly grief, he is not discussing the emotion itself. He is arguing that we have a choice in how we respond to things that make us sad or angry. These emotions can be extremely powerful fuel for change. If we humble ourselves and channel our emotions toward obedience, we can make wonderful, permanent, life-giving changes.
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One Thing to Think About: When was the last time I experienced “godly grief”?
One Thing to Pray For: Courage to move beyond pangs of sadness or concern toward real change
