To be spiritually poor and to acknowledge it is good but to mourn over it is another thing entirely. That is, some could be poor in spirit at one level and not spiritually mourn at another level. They are those who "take it like a man." "I'm not perfect; I got issues; I'm burdened and helpless BUT it is what it is, I must go on with life." They will not mourn over their condition; they are poor in spirit but won't mourn over their condition!
MOURNING (this is what is involved)
1. Over our own sins (particular) – it may be besetting but it is ours, my personal sins
2. Over our love for sins (astonished at the secret inclination, shames, surprises, humbles…)
3. Over the pollution of our sins (our hardened state, how it touches everything…) "Wretched man that I am!" Thought, word and deed — it invades our holy thoughts, tarnishes our godly endeavors, plagues our humble prayers, etc.
• To make matters worse, I mourn over my lack of spiritual mourning over sin! How hard is my foolish sinful polluted heart?
Over this, we must loath ourselves because we tend to take too much pride in ourselves. Every prayer, holy thought, word, effort, we think we are something but as we mourn over our sins, we see that no good dwells in us, in our flesh!
4. Mourn over the sins of others. |
