They That Mourn

 

By Clifton Angel     Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matt 5:4). The late V.P. Black organized mourning into three categories: natural, unnatural, and godly.      Natural mourning is the result of suffering in this world of decay: “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men” (Rom 5:12). Many may assume Jesus is speaking of natural mourning at Matthew 5:4. Truly God is the God of all comfort (2 Cor 1:3–4) and He knows and cares about our natural mourning (cf. 1 Cor 10:13; Rev 21:4); however, at Matthew 5:4, Jesus is not speaking of natural mourning.      Unnatural mourning includes worldly sorrow, ungodly fear, and unnecessary guilt. Worldly sorrow is insincere and selfish. If not repented of, it leads to spiritual death (2 Cor 7:10). It is the person who is only sorry because he got caught. Ungodly fear is deceptive, futile, and destructive (cf. Matt 6:25–34; Phil 4:4–9; 2 Tim 1:7; Rev 21:8). Unnecessary guilt happens when we will not forgive ourselves for something for which we’ve already been forgiven (cf. 1 John 1:7–9; 3:20). Certainly, it is not unnatural mourning Jesus is speaking of at Matthew 5:4.      Godly mourning is the result of an honest heart recognizing sin and the consequences of it (2 Cor. 7:10; Rom. 6:23). It is connected to being “poor in spirit,” since the person who is poor in spirit recognizes he is in need when he sins, and he is nothing without God. King David’s godly mourning is evident in the words of Psalm 51: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:1–3).      What does it mean to be among them that mourn? It is the grief felt and expressed over the acknowledgement of one’s sin and its consequences. The blessing is that with proper direction, this soul will be comforted. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

- Clifton Angel preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS. He may be contacted 2 that congregation's website: http://www.coldwatercofc.com/