Today you should read: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16
You want to talk about a joy in the church family and life-sharing community that fellow believers can be? It’s the apostle Paul’s words found in 2 Corinthians 7:2-4. The good and the bad, the apostle Paul finds great pride in this church who judging from the rest of the letter, are making some pretty stupid decisions for Christians. But Paul is sticking with them, in life or death (v. 3).
Speaking of those stupid decisions, the apostle Paul recognizes their desire for repentance with those sins. That repentance started within them through grief. But not just any type of grief but Godly grief. The apostle Paul lovingly and graciously called those sins out and that letter produced a Godly grief over them (v. 8). Because that grief was only momentarily and it was ultimately from God. That grief turned into repentance which saves them from regret and further consequences from those sins, including death (v. 10).
This is why it is important for the church to continue to keep each other accountable and practice church discipline. What may cause grief right now can turn into repentance later. Repentance saves people from regrets and consequences. The joy and pride that the apostle Paul felt for his fellow believers is a part of that accountability and church discipline.
• When have you seen accountability in repentance or church discipline used in a believer’s life to save them from regrets and sinful consequences? (Comment below)
By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
Maybe I am not understanding but for me, when I repent of sin, my ultimate benefit is that I’m restored to my right standing and relationship with the Father. The consequences of my sin are still played out in my life but with God’s grace using it to discipline me to purge me of the iniquity that led me to sin in the first place. I think we see that demonstrated in Scripture in King David’s life. Not only did Bathsheba’s first child die, but there was terrible rebellion and tragedy in his immediate family. I’m so thankful that my sins are forgiven and that I have a relationship with Christ. But while I’m living in this flesh, I am constantly buffeted and suffering consequences and regret for my sin. His wounds are faithful to make me like Him.