2 Corinthians 7:10

2 Corinthians 7:10 says, For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  Paul said that there is a difference between Godly sorrow and worldly sorrow.  Worldly sorrow does not work repentance to salvation.  Worldly repentance, directed toward people and not God still leads to spiritual death.  Verse eleven adds, For behold this selfsame 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.  Paul said that the actions of the church at Corinth in the matter that needed correction brought them a clear conscience, as it were.  There were several stages to their restoration.  They had a Godly sorrow.  It is not enough to just be sorry for our actions in worldly terms, but our sorrow must be directed toward God.  They were careful in clearing themselves, again in their relationship to God.  They had a vehement desire to correct the problem.  Then Paul said they approved themselves clear in this matter.  When we allow sin into our lives, we must have a zeal to deal with it so we can be restored to complete fellowship with God.   Verse twelve continues, Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.  Paul said when he wrote to them that he was doing it for no other reason but that they might be restored to a right relationship with God.  Paul was not just condemning the one who had done wrong, nor was he uplifting the one who had been wronged.  Paul wanted both to have the right attitude toward God and themselves.  Verse thirteen states, Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.  Paul said that those with him and he were comforted by the fact that the church at Corinth was comforted, or at peace. He was even more comforted by the fact that the church there had refreshed Titus.  We as followers of Christ should uplift one another and should especially offer comfort to those who are going to other places to witness.  If they come to us, they should leave refreshed.  Verse fourteen Paul adds, For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.  Paul said he was not ashamed of boasting, or speaking highly of the congregation at Corinth, because what he said was the truth.  I believe that Paul was boasting of their faith that had endured through the problems they had.  Verse fifteen continues, And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.  Paul said Titus remembered them with affection because of the way they had received him.  Titus remembered their obedience, not to him, but to their faith in Christ.  Even if we have certain fears about the world around us, we need to still openly receive and spiritually support our fellow believers that they might be refreshed in their faith.  Verse sixteen concludes, I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.  Paul may have had concerns about the church at Corinth at one time, but he now had complete confidence in them.  If a congregation, or an individual, has a problem in their faith and repent and follow God in faith, we cannot allow their past failure to prevent us from having faith in them again.