The Reformed Life

When was the last time you wept over your sin? I can’t remember where I heard (read?) that question, but it caught me off guard. When was the last time I had wept for my sin? Convicting. I’m not much of a crier. Perhaps it was the way I had been raised. Men don’t cry. Or do they? I can probably count on one hand the number of times I had witnessed my dad sob. It’s not something we do. Or so I had been taught (or maybe I hadn’t). I can’t remember. It’s not something I had been given to in life—weeping. I wasn’t one to mourn very often. Men don’t mourn. Or do they? 

Maybe you’re the same. Perhaps you’re not. I’m not sure where you stand, but I’ll ask again: when did you last weep over your sin? In the Beatitudes, Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted (Matt. 5:4).” What does Jesus mean by mourning here? 

The Meaning of Mourning 

In Matthew 5:4, the word mourn means to experience sadness due to some condition or circumstance. Now, Jesus uttered these words in His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus gives this sermon to display what it looks like to be a citizen of God’s kingdom. The Sermon on the Mount is a sermon about the Christian life. J.C. Ryle says, “Would we know what kind of people Christians ought to be? Would we know the character at which Christians ought to aim? Would we know the outward walk and inward habit of mind which become a follower of Christ? Then let us often study the Sermon on the Mount.” 

The Apostle Paul speaks of two types of sorrow: godly and worldly (2 Cor. 7:10-11). He writes, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you.” According to John MacArthur, “The only sorrow that brings spiritual life and growth is godly sorrow, sorrow over sin that leads to repentance. Godly sorrow is linked to repentance, and repentance is linked to sin.” 

The word that Jesus uses here for mourn (v.4) is used to describe the “deepest, most heart-felt grief, and was generally reserved for grieving over the death of a loved one (MacArthur).” I heard someone say once that the church’s most significant problem today is that there are too many dry eyes over sin. That hurts. But it may be true. 

The Reason for Weeping 

Why do we weep? Well, we cry for many things. But in the context of Jesus’ words, mourning is the result of sin. Thomas Watson writes, “A regenerate person grieves that he carries that about him which is enmity to God; his heart is like a wide sea in which there are innumerable creeping things—vain, sinful thoughts. A child of God laments hidden wickedness; he has more evil in him than he knows of.” 

Watson adds, “The sins of the wicked pierce Christ’s sides, the sins of the godly wound his heart. The unkindness of a spouse goes nearest to the heart of her husband.” Could the absence of godly grief result from not understanding the sinfulness of sin? Perhaps if we knew how sinful sin was, we’d grieve more. Maybe we’d grieve more appropriately. 

How to Mourn Biblically 

First, we need to recognize sin for what it is. Sin is contrary to the nature of God. Ralph Venning says, “It [sin] deposes the sovereignty of God as much as in it lies.” Sin shakes its fist against God’s proper place on the throne. Sin despises God. Venning writes, “It was by this instinct that Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know no Lord above me; I will not let Israel go’ (Ex. 5:2).” Sin deceives us into thinking that there is no master over us; our wills prevail (Ps. 12:4). 

Sin denies God’s all-sufficiency. When we sin, we declare (outwardly and inwardly) that there is joy to be had walking against the will of God. Sin denies the omniscience of God. When we sin, we act like God can’t see us, nor is He aware of our actions. Worse, maybe we are aware, and yet we just don’t care. Sin is not only contrary to God; it’s contrary to man. Sin is against our good. Sin always overpromises yet underdelivers. Sin’s desire is to rule or to have us (Gen. 4:7). We let it feast far too often. Like a carcass being devoured by a predator, we let sin feast upon our joy. 

We must recognize sin for what it is if we wish to mourn over it rightly. MacArthur writes, “Love of sin is the primary hindrance to mourning. Holding on to sin will freeze and petrify a heart.” Maybe the reason you’re not mournful over sin is because you love it and hate the thought of losing it. If so, you’re in a dangerous spot, my friend. 

Second, if we wish to progress in the way of biblical mourning, we must feast upon God’s Word. We must know what God’s Word says concerning sin. We must commune with God daily in His Word. We must fix our eyes on His perfections. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we must grow in our hatred for sin and love for God, which comes through knowing and applying God’s Word in our lives. The psalmist said, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Ps. 119:11).” 

Third, we must seek the Lord through prayer. David says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise (Ps. 51:17).” Friends, we must pray and pray fervently that God would, by His Spirit give us a hatred for sin. We must pray that He would increase our sensitivity toward sin. We must pray for a heart not hardened toward sin and its effects upon us. We must pray. May we hate sin just as much before we commit it as we do after. 

Discerning Mourning 

MacArthur writes, “Knowing whether or not we have godly mourning is not difficult.” That’s encouraging. He adds, “First, we need to ask ourselves if we are sensitive to sin. If we laugh at it, take it lightly, or enjoy it, we can be sure we are not mourning over it and are outside the sphere of God’s blessing.” That’s convicting. 

Second, we need to recognize whether our sorrow is godly or worldly. Think back to 2 Corinthians 7:10-11. When you sin, is your sorrow godly or worldly? Are you more concerned with the punishment for your sin, or are you grieved that you hurt the heart of your God? You may not weep literal tears over your sin, but your heart should break over it.

There Is Hope 

A godly person may mourn, but he does not grieve without hope. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (5:4).” How will we experience comfort? 

Richard Sibbes once said, “There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.” Praise God. The God we sin against is gracious, merciful, and forgiving. Isn’t that great news? David says, “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit (Ps. 32:1-2).” Thank you, God! 

John writes, “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).” I’m grateful for that reminder. There is hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is forgiveness in Christ. Because Christ lived the life we couldn’t live, died the death that we should’ve died, rose from the grave, and we are united to Him by grace alone through faith alone, we have hope in God alone. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30).” 

Because God delighted in saving us in Christ before the foundation of the world, we have reason to hope. We can boldly approach the throne of grace and find mercy in the time of need (Heb. 4:16). So, come weary saint. Come to the fount of grace. Drink. Enjoy and be merry. May the gospel of Christ dry your teary eyes. 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh Chambers

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