To the natural man, the words “mourning” and “comfort” do not even belong in the same library. But the Scriptures tell us they belong together.

Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Beloved, as far this fallen world system is concerned, everythingthat pertains to the kingdom of God or the gospel of Jesus Christ is foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Let me take that statement one step further. Apart from the divine illumination of The Spirit of God, neither you nor I would believe that mourning is the path to comfort! I mean, how comforting can it be to mourn? The answer to that question, of course, lies in God’s definition of the meaning of the word “mourn”. The mourning that is comforted is the result of my seeing theravaging effects of sin and calling upon God for mercy and grace (Psalm 32:1-4;Hebrews 4:14-16).

After The Spirit of God (John 16:7-9) brings me to that place of being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3; Psalm 34:18), and I see my need for God’s grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:26) to forgive me for my sin, I begin to see sin for what it really is. Sin is a scourge that is the cause of every ill on planet earth. It is the root cause of every war, disease and calamity known to man. Adam’s one act of questioning God has placed all of mankind in a fatal spiritual condition. When The Spirit of God quickens us to see that condition and the consequences of sin, we begin to mourn. I mourn over how my sin has offended my God and King (Psalm 51:4). I mourn over how my sin has affected my family, my parents, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sin is a monster! It causes monstrous problems in relationships even within the church. Thus, when we believe the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and God gives us new life (Ephesians 1:13-14), we no longer see life the way we did before we were saved. We mourn over sin and how it causes racism and the breakdown of families. We mourn over world events and the damage of natural disasters and wars that are brought about by sin.

The only answer to mourning for sin in my life and in the world is the gospel of The Lord Jesus Christ. Only Jesus can give comfort to sinners, because only Christ can forgive sin and the guilt and condemnation associated with it (Romans 8:1,2).  Beloved, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only source of comfort and hope for sinners to be saved in this world and for the world to come (Colossians 1:3-6).