“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” 
(2nd Corinthians 7:10)

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There is a vast difference and stark contrast between true godly sorrow, and a mere worldly sorrow. The source from which they spring, being opposite as light and darkness, so also is their effect and consequences of them.

Godly sorrow and true repentance comes from the grace of God and is the sovereign gift of the risen Lord (Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (John 3:27)

This godly sorrow comes from God, leads to God and salvation in Christ (1st John 5:12-13).

“The sorrow of the world worketh death.” The worldly sorrow, is altogether of the fallen flesh, it can rise no higher than its source, sinful flesh. The worldly sorrow comes from the carnal, worldly, fleshly and totally depraved mind. This worldly sorrow only leads to the end of all unbelief, which is eternal condemnation and eternal death (John 3:36). When sin is finished it brings death (James 1:15).

My prayer is that our merciful Lord will continue to grant unto others a true godly sorrow that leads to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). This godly sorrow once granted never changes, “Not to be repented of.” This true and godly repentance is always active and ongoing in the heart of the believer; it is a state and condition of a regenerated heart before God. Therefore, we are always repenting before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), we are always coming to the Lord Jesus Christ (1st Peter 2:3-4), we are always looking unto Him for all things in salvation; (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 4:19).

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T. Harding