Repentance

I'd done a study on this passage a l-o-n-g time ago, specifically because I had someone who kept telling me they were 'sorry' - which I accepted, for a while.

When someone 'apologizes', yet there's no change, what do you do?  How far do you 'turn the other cheek'?  How do you balance healthy boundaries against forgiving your brother (not an unbeliever) 7 x 70?

When we say we're sorry, do we change how or what we're doing which caused the offense?  Do we care?  Should we change what we're doing if someone tells us their offended?  How valid are declarations of 'love' if there isn't any change in behavior?

Is there a point where you can't 'make it right', so you quit trying?  What does it 'look' like when there is genuine repentance?  What did Paul see in the Corinthians?

2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2Co 7:11 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.

I find it interesting there are 8 key words - 8 = new beginnings.  Paul saw 'true' repentance.  Not the 'I'm sorry' - I was caught, it's the 'right' thing to say, etc.

1. Sorrowed
2. Carefulness
3. Clearing
4. Indignation
5. Fear
6. Vehement Desire
7. Zeal
8. Revenge

Sorrowed - G3076 - From G3077; to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad.

• G3077 - Apparently a primary word; sadness.

Carefulness - G4610 - From G4692; “speed”, that is, (by implication) despatch, eagerness, earnestness.

• G4692 - Probably strengthened from G4228; to “speed” (“study”), that is, urge on (diligently or earnestly); by implication to await eagerly.

Clearing - G627 - From the same as G626; a plea (“apology”).

• G626 - Middle voice from a compound of G575 and G3056; to give an account (legal plea) of oneself, that is, exculpate (self).

Indignation - G24 From G23; indignation.

• G23 - From ἄγαν agan (much) and ἄχθος achhos̄ (grief; akin to the base of G43); to be greatly afflicted, that is, (figuratively) indignant.

Fear - G5401 - From a primary φέβομαι phebomai (to be put in fear); alarm or fright.

Vehement Desire - G1972 - From G1971; a longing for.

• G1971 - From G1909 and ποθέω potheō (to yearn); to dote upon, that is, intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully).

Zeal - G2205 - From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) “zeal” (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice).

• G2204 - A primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), that is, (figuratively) be fervid (earnest).

Revenge - G1557 - From G1556; vindication, retribution.

• G1556 - From G1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish.
• G1558 - From G1537 and G1349; carrying justice out, that is, a punisher.

What about when we sin against God?  Do we display true repentance to Him?  Do we remember we reap what we sow and God is not mocked?  Have we examined ourselves to see if we need to repent to God, or someone else?

If someone has offended us, have we gone to them as instructed by the Word?  Followed Biblical conflict resolution?  (Matthew 18).  May the Lord grant each of us a sincere desire to seek repentance and reconciliation.

Rom_12:18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

This is similar to a chart I made, I visualized the 'steps', hence the words and definitions start at the bottom.  There are 8 steps - new beginnings.  May the Lord bless each of us with 'new beginnings' as we seek to have god honoring relationships.