2 Corinthians 7:11

For … ye sorrowed after a godly sort.

The internal workings of genuine repentance

The Bible says a deal about repentance.

1. Its nature (Job 42:5; Psalms 51:1.; Ezekiel 36:35; Matthew 26:24; Luk 15:35; Luke 18:13; 2 Corinthians 7:9).

2. Its necessity (Ezekiel 14:6; Matthew 3:1; Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:13; Acts 3:19; Revelation 2:5, &c.).

3. Its internal working as here.

I. Solicitude. “What carefulness!” Men who have repented are no longer unconcerned about spiritual matters, but are cautious, careful, diligent. The necessity of carefulness may be argued from--

1. The corrupting influences of social life.

2. The agency of tempting spirits.

3. The remaining depravity of our own nature. This is tinder for the devil’s fire, a fulcrum for the devil’s lever. Hence be careful.

II. Deprecation. “What clearing of yourselves”--how anxious to show your disapproval of the evil of which you have been guilty. Thus genuine repentance ever works.

III. Anger. “What indignation!” Repentance generates a deadly hatred to evil. We have little faith in the moral excellency of those who cannot go into flames of indignation whenever the wrong appears before them: Strong love for the thing loved necessitates strong hatred for the thing hated. “Dante, who loved well because he hated, hated wickedness because he loved.” When a repentant soul muses not only on the sins of others, but on his own, the fires of indignation kindle into a blaze.

IV. Dread. “What fear!” Fear, not of suffering but of sin. This fear is the highest courage, and also love dreading to displease the object of its affection.

V. Earnestness. “What vehement desire!”--what longing for a higher life! “What zeal!”--what intense desire to eschew the wrong and to pursue the right! “What revenge!” What a craving to crush the wrong! All these expressions mean intense earnestness about spiritual matters which is rare and praiseworthy. Genuine repentance is antagonistic to indifferentism. (D. Thomas, D. D.)