Mourning for Sin and Holy Joy
Godly sorrow is the foundation for experiencing holy joy, as it leads to a deeper understanding of free grace and pardoning mercy.
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.
Text
"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.
Sermon Outline
- The Relationship Between Mourning for Sin and Holy Joy
- The Source of Holy Joy
- Consistency Between Mourning and Joy
- Christ made the best wine from water
- The purified waters of evangelical repentance produce the best joys
- A clear sight of free grace and pardoning mercy fills the soul with sorrow and joy
- The sense of divine love and mercy brings both joy and sorrow
Key Quotes
“Godly sorrow is the parent of holy joy; a godly man's mourning time is his most joyful time.” — Thomas Brooks
“Tears are the breeders of spiritual joy.” — Thomas Brooks
“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.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- As you mourn for your sins, remember that it is a sign of your growing faith and spiritual maturity.
- Allow yourself to experience the full range of emotions, from sorrow to joy, as you come to understand the depth of God's love and mercy.
- Cultivate a consistent heart that is filled with both sorrow and joy, as this is a hallmark of a godly man.