How careful are you about your Salvation?
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this self same thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:10,11)
The initial salvation encounter with Jesus is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship ahead. A new man, a new creation plucked out from the terrible darkness, rushing into hell, is exposed to the marvellous light.
What does it take to sustain such a relationship? The Godly sorrow experience wasn’t reserved for pre-salvation alone. It’s an experience that not only convicts a person, but helps him repent and entire into a brand new future. One full of hope and joy. The scripture above shares 7 features found in those who receive the mercy of God. These features will be found in every Christian, in every believer who loves God.
What is this carefulness that was wrought in us?
When a person sorrows after a godly sort, she is one whose heart is set on the Lord. It’s a call to preserve the character of Christ on a daily basis. Anyone who enters the new way in Jesus knows this is the only way to overcome the wicked spiritual forces that have been trying to destroy mankind. The opening of the eye, the conviction of sin, the sight of the kingdom of heaven is not a natural experience, it’s a supernatural and mind blowing experience. It heals the body, refreshes the soul and resurrects the spirit to live for God alone.
You realise the preciousness of your life, now understanding your true worth i.e. the blood of Jesus Christ shed for ALL MANKIND on Calvary. You realise the darkness you were really in when you did not know Jesus. Without Jesus, there was no hope, no true joy, no meaning to life. With Jesus, He is the reason to live.
Every true believer makes sure they live each day growing in the milk of the Word of God to the meat level (maturity). In the new purpose, obeying God’s Word and doing His perfect will.
The carefulness is in walking in this new way.
Jesus accepts us however we are when we receive Him first, so He can finish the good work in us till we meet Him again.
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
The confidence that we have is not our own but His, which we need to carefully preserve by staying in the presence of God. That’s where we are truly bold as children of God (Hebrews 4:16).
The carefulness in short, is in continuing to be an example as Jesus was. Jesus is our example, so we may walk in His footsteps.
Our transformation (Ephesians 4:21-32) is made evident in the radical change in lifestyle. Loving the things of God and remaining separated from the lifestyle of worldliness (1 John 2:14,15). Being found as an example in every area of life.
Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
We are careful about the words of our mouth and the meditation of our heart.
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29)
We become careful in watching and praying to overcome temptation (Mark 14:38).
We continue in his goodness (Romans 11:20-22).
We stay aware of how the devil works (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Fellowship becomes a lifestyle, exhorting one another so we don’t get hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).
These and many more scriptures reveal how we need to preserve or be careful of our walk on this earth. The world needs Jesus now more than ever before.
Dear believer, may Christ shine in and through your life for His glory!