Comfort for penitents.
"Neither be ye grieved." God's word grieves, yet soon says, "Be ye not grieved."
I. TO WHOM THIS MAY BE SAID.
1. To true penitents. Such as mourn over sin with a "godly sorrow," and seek mercy through the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ; whether sinners first awakened, or Christians conscious of recent sin.
2. To all such. Even the chief of sinners, the worst of backsliders.
II. ON WHAT GROUNDS IT MAY BE SAID.
1. The assurance of forgiveness. "Though your sins be as scarlet," etc. "He will abundantly pardon."
2. The certain results of forgiveness. Adoption into the family of God. The enjoyment of his favour. The constant aids of the Holy Spirit. Support in conflict and trouble. The cooperation of all things for good. Life everlasting. In a word, salvation now and for ever.
3. The many injunctions to rejoice.
4. The injurious influence of over-much and over-prolonged sorrow. On him who cherishes it. Christian graces thrive best in an atmosphere of confidence and joy. Much sorrow blights them. On others. Discouraging inquirers. Repelling unbelievers. Bringing discredit on religion.
III. BY WHOM IT SHOULD BE SAID. By ministers of the gospel, and by the Church in general. We should not be afraid to comfort mourning sinners. To others our exhortation should be, "Be ye grieved." "Be afflicted, and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness." (See more under Nehemiah 2:3; Nehemiah 8:10.)