September 18, 2022
Greetings and blessings to all of you. In the Church at Corinthian the people were exhibiting un- Christlike behaviors and Paul had to come to them direct and very clear as to how followers of Christ should behave. The people just like us today {when given a message by the Pastor or a leader of a church} may have “feelings” of anger or guilt or sadness. You may leave the church in a huff or quit going to church altogether with a negative attitude bringing that same attitude to another church as some do. This passage alludes to how your response could be. In 2 Cor.7:9-10, “Now I rejoice not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance.” For you felt a godly grief so that you were not harmed in anyway by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” In Matt. 4:17 “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand…and in Mark 1:15 “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. How do you feel when you read this in James 4: 8-10? “Wash your hands you sinners purify your hearts for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tests for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up in honor.” Is conviction a feeling or a thought? Thoughts occur after the feeling. So, if you feel sad, angry, nonchalant, or guilty. Is the thought or (CONVICTION) enough to persuade you that a holy life is important. Like Agrippa (we say) to Paul, “You almost persuaded me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28) We must “be convicted” enough with “the feeling” to believe that the pursuit of holiness is worth the effort and pain required to mortify (or kill) the misdeeds of the flesh. You must be convinced of Heb. 12:14 “without holiness no one will see the Lord” Repentance is absolutely necessary to follow Jesus. You are welcome to travel the broad path where any sinful lifestyle is permitted. Or because of a “godly sorrow” you can choose to travel the narrow road that leads to eternal life and honor and glorify Christ. A “worldly sorrow” describes a person half in and half out. Their heart is divided. But Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth {the world}.”
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC