SO, WHAT IS THIS COMFORT WE ARE TO EXPERIENCE?
Matthew 5:4

Jesus promises comfort to those who mourn over their own sins and the sins of their society.  Just what is this which Jesus promises?  So many people today are looking for comfort.  To provide for that we have instant pudding and instant coffee.  There are fast food places sprouting up all over.  Grocery stores have devoted increased shelf space to convenience foods - the kind you just pop into the microwave.  Convenience provides comfort. 

First, Jesus speaks of comfort in deliverance from the penalty of sin.  Paul describes this so completely in the first ten verses of the second chapter of his letter to the Ephesians.  There he stated that they had been dead in their trespasses and sins.  But God had made them alive through salvation which came through grace and faith.  God had released them from the penalty of sin.

I have always liked the words of Charles Wesley's great hymn relating his conversion.  Listen to these words:  Long my imprisoned spirit lay Fast bound in sin and nature's night.  Thine eye diffused a quickening ray:  I woke - the dungeon flamed with light!  My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.  Amazing love, how can it be That You, my God, should die for me.    One of the great scenes in all of literature is that, recorded in John Bunyan's classic Pilgrim's Progress, when Pilgrim, with his huge bag of sin upon his back, approaches the cross and there the cords of that bag are snapped and he turns and watches his bag descend down the hillside.  He had been set free.  What a comfort to know that we have been set free from the penalty of sin.

Second, Jesus speaks of comfort in deliverance from the power of present sin in our lives.  Paul wrote these words to the Galatians, So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16).  The more we yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit, the more we experience the comfort which comes from knowing that we can face temptations and be victorious.

Finally, Jesus speaks of the comfort in knowing that one day Christ will remove sin and all of its affects forever.  Friends, in heaven there will be no sin - absolutely none.  I have a difficult time comprehending what it will be like to face a day without the thought of sin!  It will be incredible, don't you agree? 

When we are mournful over sin, God brings His comfort, both for the present moment and to give encouragement for the future.  We need not be enslaved to sin ever again.  Praise the Lord!

Father, we rejoice in the deliverance and comfort over sin which You have provided in Christ Jesus.  Thank You for those assurances of victory.  Yes, sin has lost its sting.  For that we give You praise.  Amen.

 

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