In order to enter the kingdom of heaven we must repent, and the first part of repentance is contrition for sin. We cannot enter the kingdom unless our sins are forgiven, and we cannot expect forgiveness if we feel no sorrow for our sins.
The second beatitude reads "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4; NKJV). The language parallels that of Isa. 61:1-3 where the speaker (manifestly the Messiah) says that He has been anointed "To preach good tidings to the poor," and "To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion. To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness . . ."
The problem, in a word, is sin. God is absolutely holy, righteous and just. We, however, are fallen sinners. We may think that we are basically good people, but we are comparing ourselves with each other. The problem, in God's sight, is that the entire human race is sinful. "The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. The have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt: There is none who does good, No, not one" (Ps. 14:2,3).
God could have, had He wanted to, simply sent us all to hell. Strictly speaking that is what we deserve. There is, however, another side to God's character: He is "the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgressions and sin . . ." (Ex. 34:6,7). It is important to note here, however, that God forgives sin; He does not merely overlook it or excuse it. Justice is not abrogated for the sake of compassion. And in order for sin to be forgiven there has to be a frank acknowledgement of the sin itself, that it is a violation of God's law, and that it has no legitimate place in the universe. This acknowledgement was be genuine and sincere. "'Now therefore,' says the Lord, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting and weeping, and with mourning. So rend your heart, and not your garments . . . '" (Joel 2:12,13). An insincere confession of sin make a mockery of divine mercy.
God is not a sadist. He does not delight in causing us misery and woe. Rather, the promise is that those who mourn "shall be comforted." "'Comfort, yes, comfort My people! Says your God. 'Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, That her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the Lord's hand Double for all her sins'" (Isa. 40:1,2). The comfort came because Israel's "warfare is ended," and this happened because "her iniquity is pardoned."
Once the problem of sin has been dealt with, once reconciliation with God has been achieved, peace and comfort are the result. We can now enjoy God's favor and blessing. In the kingdom of heaven there will be no more sorrow or mourning. Be we must mourn in order to enter the kingdom. Repentance is the gateway to peach and joy.
Santa could have, had He wanted to, simply sent us all a lump of coal in our stocking. Strictly speaking that is what we deserve. There is, however, another side to Santa's character: He is "Chris Cringle, who's belly shakes like a bowl full of jelly, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, giving presents for thousands, forgiving disappointments and curfew infractions and failure to to chores . . ." . It is important to note here, however, that Santa forgives naughtiness; He does not merely overlook it or excuse it. Justice is not abrogated for the sake of compassion. And in order for naughtiness to be forgiven there has to be a frank acknowledgement of the naughtiness itself, that it is a violation of the holiday season, and that it has no legitimate place in the universe. This acknowledgement was be genuine and sincere. 'Ho ho ho,' says the man with eight tiny reindeer. An insincere confession of naughtiness make a mockery of divine mercy.
ReplyDeleteSanta is not a sadist. He does not delight in causing us misery and woe. Rather, the promise is that those who are nice shall be given presents.
Once the problem of naughtiness has been dealt with, once reconciliation with Santa has been achieved, peace and comfort are the result. We can now enjoy Santa's favor and blessing. Under the Yule Tide tree there will be no more sorrow or mourning. Be we must leave cookies and milk for Santa in order to ensure a really well-stuffed stocking. Obeying your parents is the gateway to peach and joy.