CHRIST CENTERED

From thought pattern #9 we learned how to focus on the sin or mistake to create worldy sorrow, therefore, it is sin centered. Now we will learn how to create Godly Sorrow by focusing on the atonement of Christ, which is Christ centered.

Worldly Sorrow = Temporal focus = Sin Centered

Godly Sorrow =  Spiritual Focus = Christ Centered

President Ezra Taft Benson explains this Christ centeredness, which is required for full repentance.

"Therefore, repentance means more than simply a reformation of behavior. Many men and women in the world demonstrate great willpower and self discipline in overcoming bad habits and the weaknesses of the flesh. Yet at the same time they give no thought to the master, sometimes even openly rejecting Him. Such changes of behavior, even if in a positive direction, do not constitute true repentance.

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation upon which sincere and meaningful repentance must be built. If we truly seek to put away sin, we must first look to Him who is the Author of our salvation."
(Ensign, Oct. 1989, p. 2)

President Benson defines worldly sorrow & Godly Sorrow:

"...the fourth concept I would like to stress is what the scriptures term "godly sorrow" for our sins. It is not uncommon to find men and women in the world who feel remorse for the things they do wrong. Sometimes this is because their actions cause them or loves ones great sorrow and misery. Sometimes their sorrow is caused because they are caught and punished for their actions. Such worldly feelings do not constitute "godly sorrow."

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

In both of these scriptures, godly sorrow is defined as a sorrow that leads us to repentance.

Godly sorrow is a gift of the Spirit. It is a deep realization that our actions have offended our Father and our God. It is the sharp and keen awareness that our behavior caused the Savior, he who knew no sin, even the greatest of all, to endure agony and suffering. Our sins caused Him to bleed at every pore. This very real mental and spiritual anguish is what the scriptures refer to as having a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  Such a spirit is the absolute pre-requisite for true repentance. ."
President Ezra T. Benson, Ensign, Oct. 1989, p. 4)


SORROW FOR WHAT CHRIST went through my sins is the key step to feeling the joy that comes from being forgiven.

As I focus on the atonement of Christ, the dominating emotion that will be felt is LOVE.  As  I experience this very real mental and spiritual anguish for what the Savior went through for my sins, my capacity to feel His great love for me, personally, will be expanded.

As I expand my capacity to feel sorrow, I also expand my capacity to feel joy.
The deeper I feel Christ's pain and suffering for me, the greater joy I feel from this supreme act of love.

Experience the two levels of emotion from the Hymn, "I Stand All Amazed."

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, that for me, a SINNER, HE SUFFERED, HE BLED AND DIED.

REPENTANCE IS THE PROCESS TO GET ONE INTO SPIRITUAL LIGHT, BUT GODLY SORROW IS WHAT KEEPS ONE IN THE LIGHT

How do you feel about your mistakes? Satan wants you to feel bad about your mistakes. Why? So you will stay temporally focused and go deeper into spiritual darkness.

Heavenly Father wants you to recognize that you made a mistake, (temporal focus) turn from that mistake and come unto Him. (spiritual focus) He wants you to recognize that the bad feelings you have are the result of making a mistake and going into spiritual darkness. THe solution is for one to repent & come into the light, where one can receive the gifts of forgiveness, peace, joy, & help.

How does one create worldly sorrow? By focusing on the mistake and feeling about it. (a temporal focus)

How does one create Godly sorrow? By repenting, which requires one to leave the mistake & turn unto God in the spiritual world. And by experiencing the power of the atonement, along with the mental & spiritual anguish for which the Savior went through to pay for the mistakes.

Worldy sorrow keeps one in spiritual darkness. By focusing on the mistake or sin, one will feel bad about the mistake, and then condemn himself for making the mistake. The prices one pays for staying in spiritual darkness are: *feeling worthless, *feeling like junk, *feeling guilty, *feelings of hopelessness, *not feeling like praying, going to church or reading the scriptures, *a need to have others make them feel of worth or value, *a need to avoid all light & truth, * and finally, a need to be left alone, where Satan's influence can be fully acceptable.

Godly sorrow comes from leaving the mistake & coming unto the spiritual world for help, relief & forgiveness. Repentance means to turn back to God & live. (Ezekiel 18:30-31) That is, one needs to recognize he is in spiritual darkness, then take the responsibility to get back into the light. Ask Heavenly Father for help, for forgiveness and for the strength to get back into the light & stay there. One needs to feel some of the pain that the Savior went through to pay for this sin. And he needs to feel the Savior's great love for him personally & to know that this is why the Savior went through the Atonement, for this very sin, for him.