Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

                                                                                    

The term mourn means “to grieve.” It is not grieving over the death of a loved one or the afflictions of this life but over one’s sin. Christ came to preach repentance, and to call upon all men to mourn over their sins and to forsake them. Those that mourn thus shall be comforted, that is, they will have their sins forgiven and be at peace with God. 

David wrote: “A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise” (Psalm 51:17). In this Psalm we see David pouring forth his spirit before God. He was smitten by his own sin and had come to God asking for forgiveness. 

So those that grieve over sin, that were truly remorseful that they have committed it, shall find forgiveness: they shall be comforted! Through the merciful Saviour their sins will be forgiven. 

But those who hide their sin or try to justify it before God can never receive comfort from Him (Romans 6:23). But when we agree with God about how bad our sins are, repent of them, and seek His forgiveness, He promises to erase them completely and remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12). This kind of "mourning" that leads to repentance is truly blessed: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10, ASV). 

True repentance will result in forgiveness and cleansing from God: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). There is comfort to know that our sins have been forgiven. 

There is no comfort to those who hide their sins and to those who do not mourn over their sins: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). 

The sad truth is that many today will not mourn for their sins. Instead of acknowledging their sins, they try to justify them:

1. I don’t see anything wrong with it.

2. It is not for you to judge.

3. This is me; it’s none of your business.

4. Show me a verse which says I cannot do this thing.

5. You are being self-righteous. 

Many preachers and teachers have highlighted the things that some members are continuing to do during worship and bible classes. Some continue to be late for worship, some continue to play with their phones during worship and bible classes, some continue to treat worship as a breakfast session, and some continue to talk when the worship is in progress. Will they mourn when their sins have been brought up? Listen to the warning from God: “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15). They will not receive comfort! 

Comfort comes only when we rightly see ourselves in the light of the Word of God and see how far we fall short in the divine nature, repent of it and seeks His forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Be warned that unrepented sin brings eternal death (1 John 5:16). 

Will you mourn for your sin or do you seek to justify your action?

Jimmy Lau