Godly Sorrow

There is no godly sorrow for sin — until there is faith in Christ. While you are under the law, look at God through the law, or seek to be saved by obeying the law — you will find it impossible to repent. The law works wrath, and you will find that it will harden your hearts, stir up hard thoughts of God, and lead you to self-pity, despondency, and despair.

Faith looks to God as a God of love.

Faith looks to Jesus as an able and willing Savior.

Faith seeks and obtains pardon at his hands.

Faith melts the heart under a sense of his unutterable love.

Faith produces contrition, remorse, and repentance unto life.

If there is no penitence — then there is no faith; and

if there is no faith — then there is no spiritual life; and

if there is no spiritual life — then the wrath of God abides on us!

Penitence always deepens at the feet of Jesus. You can never produce repentance by trying to do so, or by complaining of the lack of it. No man can force himself to repent. But faith in Jesus, and fellowship with Jesus — will naturally, easily, and invariably produce penitence.

 Not sure where I read this. :(