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  MOURNING FOR SIN AND HOLY JOY
  by Thomas Brooks
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Summary: Godly sorrow is the foundation for experiencing holy joy, as it
leads to a deeper understanding of free grace and pardoning mercy.

Topics: "Mourning for Sin", "Holy Joy"
Scripture References: Psalm 30:5, 2 Corinthians 6:10, James 4:9

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DESCRIPTION
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Thomas Brooks emphasizes the profound relationship between godly sorrow
and holy joy, illustrating that true mourning for sin leads to the
deepest forms of spiritual joy. He explains that a godly person's most
joyful moments often coincide with their tears of repentance, as these
tears nurture a heart filled with joy. Brooks likens this process to a
bee extracting honey from bitter herbs, suggesting that the sweetest
joys arise from sincere repentance. He asserts that a clear
understanding of God's grace and mercy allows believers to experience
both sorrow and joy simultaneously. Ultimately, a Christian's greatest
joy and mourning occur in the presence of divine love and the hope of
glory.

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CONTENT
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"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." 2 Corinthians 6:10

Godly sorrow is the parent of holy joy; a godly man's

mourning time is his most joyful time. Tears are the

breeders of spiritual joy. A holy man's heart is usually

fullest of joy--when his eyes are fullest of tears. The

bee gathers the best honey from the bitterest herbs.

Christ made the best wine from water; the best, the

purest, the strongest, and the sweetest joys--are made

from the purified waters of evangelical repentance.

Mourning for sin and holy joy are consistent in

one and the same heart. The same eye of faith which

drops tears of sorrow--also drops tears of joy. A clear

sight of free grace, of pardoning mercy, and of a

bleeding dying Savior--will fill the soul both with

sorrow and joy at the same time. A Christian always

joys most, and mourns most--when he is most under

the sense of divine love and mercy, the influences of

heaven, the hopes of glory, and the precious fillings

of the blessed Spirit.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/thomas-brooks/mourning-for-sin-and-holy-joy/
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