Read the Gospel enough times and you will find that Jesus rarely gives a straight answer. Jesus often teaches in parables and even His disciples didn’t understand what He was saying (Mark 4, Parable of the Sower). When Pharisees and teachers of the law challenged Jesus with a question, He often responded back with a question. It was not the case in the encounter with the rich young ruler. Here we see someone with great wealth approaching Jesus with an earnest question, how can he inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him to sell everything, give it to the poor, and followed Him, the ruler was sad. He was sorrowful.
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 9:22 (NIV)
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 9:22 (NKJV)
Why was the rich young ruler in sorrow? Did he not understand Jesus’ answer? On the contrary, he was sad because he understood Jesus’ response.
This is Godly Sorrow. It is when the Holy Spirits reveals the Truth that causes our heart to sink.
In our walk, has there been a time when God revealed something in our life that is not pleasing to Him? Godly Sorrow is not a bad thing. It is a sign that our heart is connected to His Heart. What’s worst is when we don’t even feel His Sorrow. This happens when our hearts are hardened that we are desensitised by His convictions. This grieves the Holy Spirit.
The response to Godly Sorrow is always repentance.
yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
2 Corinthian 7:9-10 (NIV)
One last note, Godly Sorrow is produced by love. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus gave the answer to the rich young ruler because He loved him.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:22 (NIV)