May 5: No Regrets

God wants us to feel rotten about some things. Not about ourselves, but about our sin. There is a difference between guilt and shame. I don’t believe God ever seeks to shame us—He values you and loves you. Feeling guilty is an appropriate reaction to guilt—to breaking God’s law and breaking God’s heart. Convicting us and convincing us of our sin is the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

The Apostle Paul put it like this: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

If we see our sin--our guilt--but not God’s grace, then we are hopelessly distraught—that kind of sorrow destroys us. If we see God’s grace but don’t see our sin then God’s actions seem useless, even stupid. But if, at the same time, we see our sin and God’s grace then that is our salvation!

In light of God’s grace we are broken over our sin and come to a point of repentance. God, in His mercy, forgives us, graces us, which leads to our forgiveness and restoration. That kind of salvation leaves no regrets. No regrets. Now that’s freedom. That is healing.

~ Father, help me to see both my sin and your grace and never miss one or the other. Thank you for the freedom I find in Your forgiveness. Amen.