Today's scripture, 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, mentions two types of sorrow: one is "godly sorrow," and the other is "worldly sorrow." The apostle Paul says that godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, whereas worldly sorrow leads to death. Through this, Paul strongly asks the Corinthian believers, "Do you truly possess sorrow toward God within you? Do you carry sorrow for the heart and will of God?"
If we look more closely at the text, verse 9 says, "Now I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance." Paul's intention was never to simply "trouble" people, cause them anxiety, or make them feel uneasy. Rather, through their sorrow, he wanted them to experience a spiritual turning-true repentance. Then in verse 10, there is a clear contrast: "For godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death." Here, "godly sorrow" refers to having your heart directed in the way God desires, which ultimately prompts us to turn back to Him and leads to salvation. On the other hand, "worldly sorrow" breaks one's spirit and ends in death.
Paul spoke in this way out of his earnest hope that the churches where he had preached the gospel-especially the Corinthian church-would grow in perfect faith. From Paul's letters, we can clearly see how deeply he loved the church. In 2 Corinthians 11:28, Paul testifies, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches." He had what we might call a "pastor's heart," even before he was an apostolic authority. He did not lead the church from the standpoint of a Greek philosopher or a merely authoritative religious leader. Rather, day by day, he was preoccupied with thoughts like, "How can the church stand more uprightly before the Lord? How can the souls of the believers be made healthier?" In Galatians 4:20, he says, "I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you." The situation he faced with the believers in Galatia was similar. After Paul had preached the gospel to them, they soon fell under the sway of false teachings and deviated from the essence of the gospel. It pained his heart to see this, and so the core context of Galatians is about Paul's efforts to bring them back.
In this way, Paul held both a fervent love and an urgent sorrow for the church. He did not hide this sorrow. The readers of 2 Corinthians likely sensed some degree of this "godly sorrow" within Paul. Through his letter, he directly rebuked and corrected their mistakes, at times using strong language that shook their spiritual condition. But all of this had one purpose: that they would repent, and through repentance, walk fully on the path that leads to salvation. That is why he said, "I did this so that you might not suffer loss by us when you were made sorry in a godly manner (2 Cor. 7:9)." His intent was never to tear people down or destroy them; rather, his heart was full of the kind of sorrow that would set them on the right path toward spiritual life.
With this context in mind, we need to reflect deeply on what "godly sorrow," as Paul describes it, means for us today. A close reading of Scripture reveals that not only Paul but all the people of God, throughout both the Old and New Testaments, had a kind of "holy sorrow." At a glance, this sorrow might look similar to what the world feels, but its direction and fundamental motivation are entirely different. Worldly sorrow comes from self-centered worry and anxiety: issues in daily life, finances, relationships-ultimately the fear that "I might lose out." But godly sorrow is rooted in questions like, "Is the Lord's will being perfectly accomplished here on earth and in my life? Are we missing out on the abundant grace God has planned for us?" It is a sorrow toward God's heart that ultimately brings life to people, revives the community, and leads to true repentance and restoration.
One of the clearest biblical examples of this is Nehemiah. The Book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah, who was among the Jews taken captive to Babylon, hearing the news that the walls and temple of Jerusalem lay in ruins. He wept and lamented, asking, "How has the city of God, Jerusalem, come to this state?" He was not merely depressed over the downfall of his nation. Though he did grieve over the disaster that befell his people, at the core of his sorrow was the pain that God's name was not being glorified, and that God's chosen people were in captivity and shame. He brought that sorrow before God-fasting, weeping, and praying. And God began to work miraculously. He moved the heart of King Artaxerxes, the ruler of the empire at that time, so that this seemingly powerless cupbearer could return to Jerusalem and undertake the historic mission of rebuilding the city walls.
According to Scripture, when Nehemiah brought the king his cup, he could not hide the sorrow on his face. It was considered a serious impropriety to appear downcast before the king in an ancient royal court. Showing a troubled face could displease the king and could even lead to punishment or death. But the Bible says that the king "noticed" Nehemiah's sorrow. Not only did he notice it, but he began to inquire about it, showing concern. From a logical standpoint, there was no reason for the ruler of a vast empire to pay attention to the emotional state of a captive servant. Yet God made it happen. God used Nehemiah, who carried this holy sorrow in his heart, as an instrument to stir the king's heart. In other words, "one man's holy sorrow shook an empire." The same is true in our lives today. If we only hold onto worldly sorrow, it brings no spiritual gain and often leaves us in despair. But if we live with "godly sorrow," we will see the Lord working in unexpected ways. That problem we worry about can instead become a beautiful turning point in God's hands, something that revives the community and changes the course of history.
During a similar period, we see Ezra. He was a scholar and priest who returned to Jerusalem with the group of exiles, taking the lead in rebuilding the temple and restoring the people's faith. As someone "skilled in the Law" and called by God to teach His Word, Ezra and Nehemiah served as two major figures in Israel's history at that time. Why did these two names stand out so prominently? Because they did not prioritize their own comfort or reputation, but instead placed God's holy calling-His kingdom and His people-at the center of their concerns. That is why Scripture carefully records their ministries for future generations. Originally, they could have been merely "nameless exiles" or "one of many Levite priests skilled in learning." But deep in their hearts, they held onto the righteous sorrow that asked, "Why are God's people in this broken state? How can we restore God's will?" That sorrow led them to their calling.
We see this "godly sorrow" in the Book of Acts as well. For instance, consider how God called the apostle Paul. Paul was once a fierce persecutor of Christians. On the road to Damascus, the risen Jesus appeared to him, and he was struck blind. The early church members had heard plenty about Paul's persecutions; naturally, they must have felt anxious and worried at the thought of welcoming him. But God prepared a disciple named Ananias to go to Paul, lay hands on him, restore his sight, and receive him into the church. From a human perspective, there would have been a worldly kind of sorrow: "How can we accept such a persecutor?" But the sorrow Ananias experienced was not mere distrust or fear; it was rooted in obedience to God's command and the question, "If the Lord wants to use this man, what is my role?" Because of that holy sorrow, Paul became the greatest missionary of the early church, devoting himself as the apostle to the Gentiles in a remarkable ministry.
A similar example is the meeting between Cornelius and Peter. Cornelius was a Gentile but also a devout man who practiced charity and feared God. On the other hand, Peter, a Jew, was still bound by Old Testament traditions and national pride, making him reluctant to share a meal with Gentiles. But God called Cornelius and simultaneously prepared Peter. Through a vision, He told Peter to "eat what he had previously considered unclean," thereby shattering his prejudices and stubbornness. When these two men met, Peter realized, "Truly, God does not show favoritism but loves all people." This opened a new door for Gentile missions. From a human viewpoint, the whole process must have been uncomfortable and troubling. "Why should I go to a Gentile's house? Why should I eat unclean things?" Yet at the heart of that struggle was not mere earthly fear but the question, "What is God trying to do here? What is His plan, and how should I participate?"
The same principle applies to our lives. As God's people, in our churches, and in the world, we face an array of concerns every day: finances, family, children, health, and countless other worries that we cannot escape. Yet, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7, the crucial question is: "Where is this sorrow directed, and what is its ultimate purpose?" Is my sorrow centered on survival, security, or merely escaping fear? Or does it come from realizing, "God is still at work, and He wants me to join Him, but I have many shortcomings, and obstacles are everywhere," leading me to a holy sorrow?
Paul says, "Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret (2 Cor. 7:10)." This sorrow does not end in worry or depression; rather, it drives us into thorough "turning." The word "repentance" (metanoia) means to change one's heart, mind, and entire direction of life. Therefore, if we carry "godly sorrow," we constantly examine ourselves: "Is this path truly pleasing to God? Am I, by any chance, living in opposition to God's will?" This introspection leads us to repentance and draws us closer to God. At the end of this path, Paul declares, there is "salvation without regret." This is the most blessed path taught by the Christian faith. No worldly remedy can resolve worldly sorrow. But the holy sorrow found in God brings us back to Him, where we find life.
This message applies equally to us today. It would do us good to ask ourselves honestly, "What kind of sorrow do I carry each day?" If most of the worries weighing on me are worldly, and I have no concern at all for God's will, for the church and my neighbors, or for the expansion of the gospel and missions, then it's time to think seriously. Like Paul, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the apostles of the early church, we confess that through Jesus Christ we have become "new creations." Naturally, then, we should be transformed so that we can embrace God's heart, making His sorrow our own. Of course, this does not mean ignoring practical problems in our lives. Rather, when we trustingly bring all our real needs and difficulties before the Lord, focusing ultimately on His kingdom and righteousness, worldly sorrows can no longer topple us. As Christians, we must hold fast to Jesus' promise, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Looking at the modern church, however, we often see believers stuck in worldly sorrow. Many focus solely on financial problems or confuse their aspirations for worldly success with their faith, simply asking God in prayer to "solve my problems." Yet genuine prayer should be a process of sharing in God's heart and concern. We ought to ask, "Lord, what is Your desire for this generation? For the church, our neighbors, this nation, and the nations of the world? What must I give up, and how should I move forward, if I want to obey that great purpose?" When these questions are at the center of our prayer, it is amazing how the Lord provides everything else we need at just the right time. Believing this truth is genuine faith-acknowledging the sovereignty of God.
Pastor David Jang has consistently emphasized this message: "Make God's sorrow our own." As he has ministered in various nations-preaching the gospel and training disciples-he has never been solely fixated on "establishing a certain number of churches" as a superficial goal. Rather, he has asked unceasingly, "What does God want to accomplish here on earth? How can we carry God's heart and care for His children and the church?" While doing so, he has never lost sight of the larger purpose: the very reason the church exists, the spiritual health of believers, and the broader goal of world missions and evangelism. In that journey, misunderstandings have arisen, and the eyes of the world have sometimes caused hardship, but the central question has remained, "What pleases God, and which direction does He desire?" This is difficult to explain apart from "godly sorrow." Indeed, people who carry God's heart are often met with trials and obstacles, but they eventually see their path bear the fruit of the gospel. Likewise, in "Pastor David Jang's ministry," we see the fruit of preaching, disciple-making, media, and education efforts across multiple nations and communities. It is not perfect-no one's ministry is-but it exemplifies what it looks like to walk the path trodden by Paul and Nehemiah: a path sustained by "sorrow that participates in God's heart."
In conclusion, Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians continues to resound for us: "Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death." Looking back through history, it is those who carried this holy sorrow who changed the course of their times and left a worthy legacy. Nehemiah, Ezra, Paul, and the believers of the early church did so, as well as countless faithful pioneers in later generations. Church history shows us reformers like Luther and Calvin, revivalists like John Wesley, missionaries like William Carey, Hudson Taylor, and many Korean missionaries and pastors-all of whom lived with a sorrow that asked, "How can the gospel be preached in this age? How can the church devote itself more purely to the Lord? How can lost souls be saved?" This was not mere emotional worry but an impetus that led to fervent prayer, sacrificial devotion, and eventually flames that transformed both history and culture.
We too must walk in this same path. If we fail to take on God's sorrow in our hearts, the church will lose its essence here on earth and become no different from the world. When we examine the divisions, worldliness, and moral failures in the church, it often points back to "the absence of prayer and sorrow seeking God's will." Instead of showing the early church's unity in prayer and sharing the needs of each person, our standard becomes, "Does this benefit me? Does it align with my perspective?" When we allow ourselves to worry in this worldly way, the righteousness of God's kingdom is relegated to the background. Eventually, the church becomes a community gripped by worldly sorrow, holding on to a mere shell of religion. Paul's warning-"worldly sorrow produces death"-applies no less to church communities.
By contrast, if we continue to ask, "What is God's heart toward this age? How can the fullness of Jesus' gospel reach the unreached souls? How can I reflect God's holiness and demonstrate the love of Christ in my workplace, school, and home?"-and if we take such questions to God in prayer, we will witness brand-new works of the Holy Spirit. Grace will be poured out, unexpected breakthroughs will open, and the world will pay attention to the church not because of superficial glitz or scandal, but because of the church's genuine acts of service and love. Just as the Roman society exclaimed of the early church, "See how they love one another," the church will reveal the living God when its holy sorrow moves beyond the mind and transforms real lives.
This is not accomplished solely by grand programs or large-scale events. It applies to every individual and every small connection we make. For instance, when we see a brother or sister struggling, instead of being critical or indifferent-"Why are they like that?"-we begin to pray with a concern that says, "Lord, what shall I do for that soul?" Then we will see God's hidden providence at work. Also, when the church decides how to serve its local community or support a mission field, if we succumb to worldly anxiety-"We don't have enough money; let's not overreach"-then nothing happens. But if we are burdened with "If this is truly God's will, He will make a way. Let us pray, commit, and explore every method," then miracles unfold. When Nehemiah rebuilt the wall, there was significant opposition from enemies, turmoil in the region, and internal dissent. Nonetheless, he sought God's will and trusted in His help. As a result, the wall was rebuilt in just 52 days-a miracle. Along with this achievement, the faith of the people was revived, initiating a major movement of spiritual restoration.
Such things can still happen in our generation. The question is whether we carry that sort of sorrow and whether we are ready to obey and act when we do. Paul's sorrow, Nehemiah's sorrow, Ezra's sorrow, and the sorrow of Ananias and Peter all arose from recognizing, "God has something He wants to accomplish, and I want to join, but there are fears and unknowns within me." Despite these feelings, they brought their holy sorrow to God in prayer, overcoming criticisms, misunderstandings, and real obstacles, pressing onward. Ultimately, Scripture leaves us their stories as "exemplary cases." This allows us to hope, "I can live like this too. If I carry such sorrow and walk forward, I can also witness God at work."
We see the same spiritual truth in Pastor David Jang's overall ministry. In various churches and mission fields, he has spread the gospel through discipleship training, Bible studies, media outreach, and many other methods, always asking, "What does God delight in? In this age, how do we open a path for lost souls?" He has also constantly taught and practiced how each of us must prepare ourselves spiritually so the church can truly be the salt and light of the world. Indeed, no one is perfect. Mistakes and difficulties in specific situations, as well as people's distrust, could arise along the way. But what matters is "the source of that sorrow." If it stems not from worldly ambition or personal display but from the question, "How can we express God's heart in this generation?" then it is truly "godly sorrow." Such sorrow is never in vain but inevitably bears fruit. Behind every instance of souls coming to faith, churches being revived, and believers discovering their calling, there is always someone's holy sorrow.
Finally, we must remember this truth. Having been born again in Christ, we are called to live differently from the world. As Paul clarifies in 2 Corinthians 7, if we hold on only to worldly sorrow, we will end up walking the path of death. But if we embrace "godly sorrow," we will experience a repentance that leads to salvation without regret-an experience of deep spiritual maturity. That maturity moves beyond the individual to transform churches, communities, and even society and the world. As Nehemiah did, when we refuse to abandon the "righteous pain and sorrow" God has placed in our hearts-when we persist in prayer and translate sorrow into action-we will witness the living power of God.
In today's world, people watch the church with various attitudes. Some respond with cynicism, others with indifference, and still others with open hostility. Many say, "It's the same old story; they're locked in their own little world." If the church truly wants to be salt and light, merely hosting programs or events is insufficient. At the core, we must be anxious about questions like, "How can we address the ways in which God's will is not yet accomplished, and His name is dishonored in this world? Why are there so many lost souls, and how can we reach every corner of this city and society with the gospel?" Such concern should drive us to our knees in prayer, asking, "Lord, what must I relinquish, where should I go, and who should I partner with to carry out Your will?" And as we obey the answers we receive, we witness God's plans becoming reality.
History has always been shaped by those who carried such holy sorrow. Just as God used Nehemiah-an apparently insignificant person in exile-to move the heart of an emperor and rebuild Jerusalem's walls, He can open doors in surprising ways for us today, too. He can say, "Go, for I will be with you." This is the truth we learn from Scripture, church history, and modern testimonies.
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, true joy and peace that the world cannot give come precisely when we embrace "godly sorrow." Paradoxically, this sorrow does not drive us to despair or make us powerless; rather, it enables us to lay ourselves down at the foot of the Cross and walk in the path guided by God's Word. On this path, we must daily pray, "Lord, protect this heart within me. May I share in Your sorrow and see the world through Your eyes." This is exactly what Paul was asking of the Corinthian church and what he asks of believers in every generation.
Finally, we must keep asking ourselves, "What kind of sorrow am I holding in my heart right now?" Of course, this does not mean we should ignore the practical issues of our lives. Yet at the very center of those concerns, do we also have sorrow about "What does God desire in this situation? How can His kingdom advance and His glory be revealed here?" If so, that sorrow leads to life, producing salvation without regret. Paul wanted the Corinthian church to recover such sorrow. Likewise, in our day, as the church of this generation-and following the emphasis of Pastor David Jang and countless other faithful servants-we must not lose hold of "sorrow for God's will." Even if the world sneers, asking, "What difference will that make?" Scripture replies firmly: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matt. 5:6). Just as Nehemiah carried the sorrow for Jerusalem and God moved the heart of an emperor and rebuilt the city's walls, if we too grieve and cry out for His kingdom and righteousness in our day, God will surely open the way for us.
I hope that all believers will freshly remember this "godly sorrow" and not merely treat it as theory or doctrine, but actually practice it moment by moment in life. In our families, in the church, at work, at school, and in all our interactions, whenever worldly sorrow threatens to overwhelm us, may we realize, "Ah, I'm letting go of godly sorrow," and immediately return to the Lord. It is then that genuine prayer is restored, the power of the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and instead of death, we experience the work of life being birthed within us. The Lord Himself takes responsibility for that fruit, bringing forth wonders we never could have imagined. We see this truth throughout Scripture: those who, like Nehemiah and Paul, harbor a holy sorrow can transform their era. May we, too, become such blessed believers. God is still at work around the world, accomplishing His will through those who embrace His heart. So let us walk this path with boldness, humility, and genuine longing. Then, like countless biblical figures, we too will leave behind a sacred legacy for future generations. May this "godly sorrow" renew us each day, ultimately bringing forth abundant fruit that leads us to a salvation with no regret. I pray all this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
