I want you to embrace everything God has for you. My heart for you is that you learn to “Take It All”, all that God has given you. Just as Joshua was instructed to take all the land God was giving to Israel, we are called to claim the spiritual blessings and growth opportunities God offers. Unfortunately, like the Israelites, who only occupied about 10% of the promised land, we often settle for far less than what God intends for us.
The New Testament equivalent of this call is found in 2 Peter 1:3, which reminds us that God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. It’s time to step out in faith and claim these promises, not out of selfish ambition but for God’s glory and the furtherance of His kingdom.
However, as we set out on this journey of spiritual growth, we must pay attention to a critical aspect of our walk with God: the need for Godly sorrow. This concept, while often overlooked or misunderstood, is vital for anyone seeking to enjoy all that God has for them.
In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul addresses this very issue. He speaks of two types of sorrow: worldly sorrow and Godly sorrow. Understanding the difference between these two is crucial for our spiritual well-being.
Worldly sorrow is self-centered and ultimately leads to death. It’s the kind of regret that focuses on the consequences of our actions rather than the actions themselves. It’s feeling bad because we got caught or because we’re facing negative outcomes. While this type of sorrow may seem genuine and the feelings are very real, it often leads to a cycle of discouragement, depression, and shame without producing real change.
On the other hand, Godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. It’s a gift from God, a conviction of the Holy Spirit that brings us to a place of true change. Godly sorrow helps us acknowledge our sin against God and others and motivates us to make things right.
David exemplifies this Godly sorrow in Psalm 51. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and orchestrating the death of her husband, David pours out his heart to God. He doesn’t just feel bad about the consequences; he recognizes his sin against God and pleads for mercy and cleansing. This is the essence of Godly sorrow – it leads us back to God and prompts us to seek His forgiveness and restoration.
Repentance, the natural outcome of Godly sorrow, is more than just feeling bad about our sins. The Greek word “metanoia” implies a change of mind that leads to a change in behavior. It’s not enough to regret our actions; true repentance transforms our thinking and conduct.
As we pursue Godly sorrow and repentance, we must remember that this process is not just between us and God. If our sins have affected others, we are called to make amends and seek reconciliation. Our efforts to make things right with others often demonstrate that we’re right with God.
2 Corinthians 7:11 clearly outlines the fruits of genuine repentance. They include diligence, eagerness to cleanse ourselves, indignation toward sin, fear of God, longing for righteousness, zeal for God’s work, and readiness to see justice done. These are the hallmarks of a heart truly transformed by Godly sorrow.
It’s important to note that the path of Godly sorrow and repentance is not always easy. It requires humility and a willingness to confront our own failings. However, we can take comfort in knowing that God is quick to forgive and restore. As the prophet Joel reminds us in Joel 2:13, God calls us to “return to the Lord, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.”
In a world that often encourages us to “follow our hearts,” we must remember the biblical truth that our hearts can be deceitful. Don’t follow your heart. Follow the Lord. He lives in you. He will lead you. Allow His Spirit to guide us into Godly sorrow when necessary.
As we move forward in this new year, let’s commit to embracing Godly sorrow as a means of drawing closer to God and experiencing the fullness of His blessings. Let’s not be content with worldly sorrow that leads nowhere but instead pursue the kind of sorrow that produces lasting change and spiritual growth.
Remember, God is not interested in mere outward conformity or moral behavior. He desires a deep, transformative work in our hearts. He invites us to come to Him with broken and contrite hearts, knowing He will not despise such offerings.
As we seek to “take it all” – all that God has for us this year – let’s not shy away from the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. Let’s welcome Godly sorrow as a gift that leads us to repentance, restoration, and a deeper walk with God. May we be known as people who are quick to repent, eager to make things right, and constantly growing in our likeness to Christ? As we do so, we’ll find ourselves experiencing more and more of the abundant life God has promised to those who follow Him wholeheartedly.
