Happy to be Sad

intro

The way to happiness is outlined in the first twelve verses of Matthew 5.

Last Sunday we noted that the word translated “blessed” in the Beatitudes may also be translated “happy.”

In the first beatitude, Jesus said the initial step toward happiness is humility—being “poor in spirit.”

Matthew 5:4 AV

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Does this refer to persons who wander around with a dismal countenance, downcast persons whom you dread to see because they are always bearers of some woeful news?

Not at all!

“How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort!”

There are two kinds of sorrow, however.

One leads to happiness and the other to misery.

One carries with it a blessing and the other none at all.

One leads to life and the other to death.

Paul distinguished between the two in

2 Corinthians 7:8–10 AV

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

One he called “godly sorrow” and the other he called “worldly sorrow.”

He explained, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (v. 10 NIV).

To understand this beatitude and experience the happiness it promises, we need to recognize sorrow that leads to misery and sorrow that leads to happiness.

Sorrow that leads to misery.

When Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn,” he meant a different sort of mourning than what most people experience.

Too often our sorrow is the wrong kind. It is what Paul called “worldly sorrow [that] brings death” (2 Cor. 7:10 NIV).

But exactly what type of sorrow leads to misery?

Sorrow because of getting caught

Psalm 32:10 AV

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

And one of their many sorrows is that of getting caught.

The thief who is arrested, the drug pusher who is apprehended, the student who cheats, or the husband or wife who is unfaithful may be sorry to have been caught, but this sorrow has no blessing because it is void of repentance.

Our prisons house many who are sorry they were caught but who are not sorry for their sin.

If given another chance, they would do the same thing again, as is evidenced by the alarming number of repeat offenders.

Theirs is a sorrow that leads not to happiness but to misery.

Sorrow because of failing in a sinful scheme.

The Bible warns us.

Psalm 7:15 AV

15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

1 Corinthians 3:19 AV

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Your effort to hurt someole turns and hurts you.

Sorrow for consequences

People forget Jesus warning.

Galatians 6:7 AV

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Drinking your liver inro fgailure = no comfort

smoking lung cangber = no comfort

erating to heart desease = no comfort

neglect to divortece = no comfort

Sorrow that leads to happiness.

In contrast to the world’s sorrow that brings death, Paul recommended “godly sorrow [that] brings repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10).

2 Corinthians 7:10 AV

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Sorrow that is born of conviction.

2 Corinthians 7:8 AV

8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

“I can see that the letter did upset you, though only for a time, and now I am glad I sent it, not because I want to hurt you but because it made you grieve for things that were wrong.”

The Corinthians’ sorrow eventually led to happiness because it was born of conviction.

Sorrow for sin is not a symptom of a sick soul; it is evidence of returning health.

People who are deeply convicted of their sin will come to the Savior as instinctively as sick people will go to a doctor.

This type of sorrow leads to happiness.

Sorrow that is expressed.

Worldy sorrow is expressed throu8gh tears - but all the tears in the world cannot chnage the past.

Godly sorrow however is expressed through confession.

David’s return to purity and thus happiness began with his confession.

Psalm 51:3–4 AV

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

2. Through a changed life.

2 Corinthians 7:10 AV

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

repentance is not a pie in the sky concept - it is totally reral and totally testabible.

Jesus said:

Matthew 3:8 AV

8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

The fruit of repentnce is a transformed and changed life -and that life must be judged by the church.

Matthew 7:16–20 AV

16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Sorrow that is blessed.

Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn.” Here “blessed” has a dual meaning. It means “blessed” and “happy.” Four blessings result from sorrow that leads to happiness.

1. Forgiveness of sin.

1 John 1:9 AV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

No people who mourn over their sins can know the comfort that is promised until their sins are forgiven.

So long as the burden and guilt of sin rests heavily on them, they cannot be comforted.

It is when they experience the loving forgiveness of Christ that comfort and the “peace that passes all understanding” become theirs.

2. Restoration of fellowship.

1 John 1:7 AV

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

David’s lust led to murder, which in turn led to falsehood and estrangement from God.

Following Nathan’s accusation, David became deeply convicted of his sin. His personal anguish is recorded in Psalm 51.

Psalm 51:12 AV

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

His sorrow led to confession, which led to forgiveness, which led to restoration of fellowship with God.

3. God’s comfort.

Jesus said that those who mourn “shall be comforted.”

Hastings said the word comfort is suggestive of bracing rather than soothing.

It speaks of strength that comes from companionship with God.

Jesus assured us here, out of his knowledge of life and his rich experience of the human heart, that only those who enter fully into the depths of life—their own and others—are truly blessed.

Only those who enter into the abundance of God’s life receive the blessing of divine comfort.