Over the last forty- four years of being a born again believer it’s something I’ve learned about the ability of people to change the definitions of words or terms to better suit their own personal lifestyles. One of these terms is ( I SORRY ). Any human being can say anything out of their mouth at any time for any reason but, what does it mean.

In most cases this term means; I done something I wasn’t suppose to do or, I said something I shouldn’t have said, I got caught and, I’m sorry I got caught.

Not long after I was saved I began to teach the teenage class in the Church I attended. I’ll have to admit, even as I was teaching this concept I didn’t truly understand the depth of what I was teaching. However to make my point, I gently slapped one of the teenagers on the face and then, said ( I’m sorry ) will you forgive me? Being the good person she was, she replied ( yes ). Just as soon as she said that; I slapped her again. At that; I told her again ( I’m sorry ) will you forgive me? Again she replied ( yes ). I believe about the third or four time, she hesitated, didn’t reply at all.

I told the class that the point had been made. Although I was saying ( I’m sorry ) I actually wasn’t, it was just words out of my mouth.

Since then, even I have learned something that I believe we all need to recognize. There is a vast difference in being ( sorry ) and having ( Godly Sorrow ). The Bible puts it this way< ( 2 Corinthians 7:10 ) For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

To give you part of my testimony; before November, 1975 I didn’t believe in or trust in Jesus Christ. On a given Sunday morning in that month and year I repented of that unbelief and I have never ( not believed ) again. Godly sorrow for anything brings an end to the act you are committing.

Many people tell you they are sorry but, more than likely they will do the same thing again, if not to you; then someone else. When you see yourself for what you truly are and, have a Godly sorrow for that then you will turn from what you are and, by God’s grace never go back to that same spot.

The Bible also says this: ( 1 John 1:9 ) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We will never be perfect, not as long as we live in this world but, as time moves on we can reach a point that we can live above certain aspects of our lives. God is very willing to forgive us from our sins if we simply confess them. However, if we are what he desires for us to be we will be ( Godly sorrowful ) for things at some point in our lives and turn from them. It’s called ( spiritual maturity ).

We watch our children grow to physical maturity so, why can’t we expect born again believers to reach ( spiritual maturity ) at some point?

What is it you can point to that you can say you have become ( Godly sorry ) for?