Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
When was the last time that you mourned over something? When was the last time that you felt a deep sadness over something?
Did you know that the mourning described here in Matthew chapter 5 is actually not sadness over something that happened around you, or something sad that happened to you? This is sorrow over sin. Paul described this in 2 Corinthians chapter 7 as a godly sorrow. Let me read you that verse:
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
The Difference Between Worldly and Godly Sorrow
There's a difference between worldly sorrow and godly sorrow, and the godly sorrow is the mourning that we're talking about here in Matthew chapter 5. Do you know what worldly sorrow is? Worldly sorrow is- I sin, and I'm sorry I got caught, and I'm sorry because I'm embarrassed, or I'm sorry because of some of the consequences. Even an unbeliever feels that kind of sorrow after sin.
Godly sorrow is from God, and that is a sorrow that I have offended God. He's my heavenly Father, and He has been nothing but good to me, and I want to honor Him and I am sorrowful when I don't.
The Key: Knowing God
The key to that kind of mourning, the key to that kind of grief over sin, is knowing God. The more you know Him, the more you'll feel that when you don't please Him. The more you know Him, the more you love Him, the more you know how much He loves you, then the more grieved you will be over sin.
I've been a Christian for 30 years now, and I can tell you that today I am more grieved over my sin than I was 30 years ago.
The Promise of Comfort
When we mourn and when we're grieved over our sin, what does Jesus say here in Matthew 5? It's good news. He says you will be comforted. If I mourn over my sin, how will I be comforted? My sins will be forgiven. I will be cleansed from my sin. I will no longer be under condemnation because of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done.
I look at my sin and I'm mourned over it, and then I immediately turn my attention to the cross and I remember that I'm forgiven. Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, "For every one look at sin, take ten looks at Christ."
Christian, mourn over your sin. Blessed is he who mourns and then find comfort in the cross of Christ. Matthew 5:4 says, "God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
