ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Monday March 27, 2017

“Channeling anger toward sin “

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing." - 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

True Repentance

The Nature of Repentance

Elements in repentance

Signs of repentance – cont.

We continue our discussion of this most important topic by looking at seven things that Paul outlines from 2 Corinthians 7:8-11:

1)  Earnestness. The word (spoude) suggests that the Corinthians had now adopted a serious and right attitude to the situation, one which was consistent with its gravity. Before, they had shown carelessness and indifference to the matter of life. Now they were transformed into men and women conscious of the way in which God viewed their sin. So the penitent is always a man who has begun to see his life and his sin from the divine perspective. There is nothing more calculated to bring sobriety to the heart which has been intoxicated with a spirit of indifference towards God.

2)  Eagerness to clear themselves. The expression (apologia) means a defense of oneself against charges. That might suggest the idea of self-defense which is far removed from the genuine repentance, but in all likelihood, Paul here means that the apologia took the form of rectifying their faults. Now that their guilt had become a matter of consequence to them, they were concerned to deal with the cause of it with the help of God, lest they be found guilty of it again.

3)  Indignation probably suggests the idea of vexation with themselves, and a new attitude of hatred and opposition to what they had done. Elsewhere in the New Testament, the verbal form of the same word is used in the sense of showing displeasure (for example, Matthew 21:15; 26:8).

Challenge:

Be true. Be clear. Be mad! All these must be directed at sin!

Memory Verse:

"He ko e mamahi ‘oku faka‘otua hono fai, ‘oku ne langa‘i ha fakatomala ‘oku iku ki ha fakamo‘ui, ‘a ia ‘e ‘ikai tālakitu‘a ai ha taha: ka ko e mamahi ‘oku fakaemāmani ‘oku ne fakatupu mate." – 2 Kolinitō 7:10

"For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death." - 2 Corinthians 7:10

Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)

Week 13 – Deuteronomy 32-34; Psalm 13; Luke 13