I have decided to write this month on a doctrine that I believe to be one that people are most ignorant of. It is because of this ignorance that we are seeing a most alarming display of easy, one, two, three, evangelism. Speaking as a person who grew up in a Baptist church, I can never remember a sermon or a lesson on godly sorrow. In fact, I do not even remember the words 'godly sorrow' ever being mentioned. It is true however that I did hear sermons on repentance. I did hear the word 'repent.' But, it seems strange to me now that no one ever explained to us how God granted man repentance. All that I ever remember is the preacher explaining how easy it was to take 'that step.' Never did we consider that salvation is a work of God, not a series of steps taken by man.

If one was to study this doctrine of godly sorrow, he would discover that real repentance is preceded by a deep remorse and travail over his sin, which causes him to come to God in faith. The return to this great doctrine would put an end to the modern day preaching of sincerity for salvation and establish sorrow and anguish to produce salvation.

We have led people to believe that if they sincerely say 'I repent' then they have repented. This is not what the Bible teaches concerning salvation. The scriptures say that you must be born again and that salvation can be compared to the birth process. This process includes travail and pain. This is one of the missing ingredients in our evangelism today. Salvation without travail, who has heard of such a thing? 'Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.' - Isaiah 66:7-8 How can a man say that he has truly repented if he did not sorrow over his sin. It is the sorrow and anguish of his soul that causes him to hate his sin, detest his life and then turn away from it never to return.

Many so called great preachers are preaching an emotionless salvation, which leaves the convert longing for more. I am not saying that salvation is in our emotions, for salvation is only in Christ. But, I am saying that emotions are in salvation. To eliminate emotions from salvation would make it a mental decision and not a matter of the heart, which is the seat of the emotions. God works in our will, mind, and emotions to bring us to Christ, thus saving us.

Much more could be said, but I have so little space. I hope that this small tidbit of food will stir up your appetite to know more. Please investigate the truth.

- Brother Terry Owen