2 Corinthians 7:11
Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
*Strong's Ex. Conc. No. 2716
Produced: effect by labor, work out, bring to decisive finality, accomplish
From the Greek word 'katergazomai' (pronounced kat-er-gad'-zom-ahee).
1 Corinthians 12:25
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
A heart that was not right with God, was not aligned according to the Word of God, is now made clean before God. That's what repentance does. Godly sorrow changes a person's heart, which changes the way we think, the way we behave. Especially the way we behave towards each other.
When Isaiah spoke with God in Isaiah 1:18, he heard this phrase, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool."
When we answer God call us to Himself, as Isaiah heard that call, only then can He begin to transform a heart of self-involvement into a heart like His. Isaiah 43:25 "I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more."
Ezekiel 11:19 "And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart."
Permanent change can only be accomplished in us when we repent of our sins against God to God and God changes us from the inside out.
Laundry does not get cleaned once and then never again. So it is with the heart of God's people. Every time it gets a little dirty, it needs to be washed again. Unlike laundry, one of these days our souls will be permanently cleansed; it is then we will be made perfect. Perfect in Christ.
So, when the Spirit within us convicts our hearts over sin(s) we go to the altar immediately and repent of that sin. We ask God to remove the root of that sin that it may no longer get in our way of growing in Him. This makes it possible for us to function quite well as a body, as the body of Christ.
For when one part of the body is broken, other parts are affected, just like in our own bodies. I have Fibromyalgia (Fm). It is a disease that attacks the central nervous system. For me, all my senses are in overdrive when I am going through a flare-up.
For instance, with the sense of touch, I can neither be hugged nor held. Taste and smell are so connected that if something I like to eat smells off, I can't eat it. There are times I feel like a canary in a mine: I can smell things no one else can smell. Sight, hearing and balance seem to affect each other, too.
I tell you this because one thing wrong in the body causes things to go wrong elsewhere in the body. When the foot stumbles, the body falls. The same holds true for the body of Christ. It is why we need to remain whole and complete in Him as He is in us.
Therefore, let us draw near to God, repent of our sins, gain renewed strength in His Word and be refreshed with His Spirit, that our witness may be proved faithful, true and all-encompassing. Let us repent of any division we may have caused in our churches, our homes, our worksites, both deliberately and unintentionally.
Lord,
Help us lead a more productive life in You to the glory of God. Give me a fleshy heart, a heart that is moldable and beats for You. Help me to interact with my brothers and sisters in Christ in love, compassion, with mercy, with hope, with peace, with joy, with comfort. Heal Your church, Lord. Make us more fruitful in Your kingdom.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen
A crucified life is a fruitful life. It produces positive actions and negates harmful ones. When the body is whole, it is able to accomplish great things. For the Spirit that flows through it produces eternal fruit which enlarges the kingdom of God in every way.
Galatians 5:22-24 (NLT)
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.
More About Jesus - Classic Hymn
Just As I Am
Alive In You - Jesus Culture
Broken Vessels - Hillsong Worship
Love Each Other - Graham Kendrick
Salvation Song - Stuart Townend
River of Love & Everything - Joel Case & Melissa Helser
Unfailing - Andrew Word
