I. The Blessings:

1) Full Forgiveness (vs. 1-2)
2) Decreased Deceit (vs. 2)
3) Holistic Health (vs. 3-5)
4) Divine Deliverance (vs. 6-7)
5) Godly Guidance (vs. 8)

I confess; God forgives. (I Jn. 1:9)

I.     The distinction between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow:

 

Godly sorrow	Worldly sorrow
Focuses on God	Focuses on self
Comes from God's word	Comes from people's reaction
Produces lasting change	Produces temporary change
Will not give lasting guilt	May give lasting guilt
Leads to salvation	Leads to death

II. The test of sin:  James 4:17

I. Our Purpose in Life

To __glorify____ God.

“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”  Isaiah 43:7

"In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory."  Ephesians 1:11-12

Sin

"For all sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  Romans 3:23

Romans 6

Seeing God as more desirable than sin.

V. The Freedom of Living by Grace

Grace – the dynamic quality of God that gives us the desire and power to obey.

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, So that in all things at all times, having all that you Need, you will abound in every good work."  2 Corinthians 9:8

"Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  Hebrews 4:16

"But he gives us  more grace.  That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6

Man Pride No Grace Disobedience Ungodly
                         No desire
                         No power

Man Humility Grace Obedience Godly
                             desire
                             power

I.  Because God is holy. (1 Peter 1:16)

a) wholly other.
    Ex. 15:11

b) perfectly whole.

(1 Peter 1:15)

a) see God properly. (Isa. 6:1-5)

b) accept discipline. (vs. 7)

Is discipline punishment?  (Heb. 9:28, Isa. 53:5)

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered  in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.  Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death, but this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God,who raises the dead."
2 Corinthians 1:8-9

c) do our part.  (vs. 10, 14)
    Phil. 2:12-13

How do I truly obey what I know what is right?

1.  Accept my bankruptcy.

2.  Accept my freedom from guilt and get off  the  "trying to be good" treadmill.

3.   Strive to live in tune with our status as a freed child of God by the power of the Holy Spirit.