Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Matt. 5:4
Short version
We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this second step:
When I looked at the mess my vices had made of my life and the offence they had caused to GodA, others and myself, I could do nothing but mourn in repentanceB, and as I did so I found my only comfort in the good news of Jesus Christ.C
A. Ps 51:4. B. Joel 2:12. C. Acts 10:36.
Longer Version
We came to find true and lasting happiness by taking this second step:
I took the risk of mourningA, seeking comfort only in Christ.B I learned first and foremost over to mourn the effects that my vices, my idolsC and all my other sins have on GodD, then to mourn over the effects they have on othersE and lastly on myselfF. I also mourned over the effects of other people’s sin on meG. As I mourned in repentance I found that my only true and lasting comfortH in life and in death is that I am no longer my ownI but belong with body and soul, both in life and in deathJ, to my faithful Saviour Jesus ChristK. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious bloodL, and has set me free from all the power of the devilM. He also preserves me in such a way that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my headO; indeed, all things must work together for my salvationP. Therefore, by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal lifeQ and makes me heartily willing and ready from now on to live for himR.
A. Joel 2:12. B. 2Th. 2:16. Is. 40:1. C. Ez. 14:3. Col. 3:5. D. PS 51:4. E Jam 5:16 F. Ps 32:3-5. G Ps 86:14-17. H. Heidelberg Catechism A. 1. I 1 Cor 6:19, 20. J Rom 14:7-9. K 1 Cor 3:23. Titus 2:14. L 1 Pet 1:18, 19. 1 Jn 1:7; 2:2. M Jn 8:34-36. Heb 2:14, 15. 1 Jn 3:8. N Jn 6:39, 40, 10:27-30. 2 Thess 3:3. 1 Pet 1:5. O Mt 10:29-31. Lk 21:16-18. P Rom 8:28. Q Rom 8:15, 16; 2 Cor 1:21, 22; 5:5; Eph 1:13, 14. R Rom 8:14. Gal. 2:20.
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