THE GOAL OF GODLY GRIEF

Someone has well said that the object of our preaching is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. It is the second dimension that I want to focus on in this study. There are times when our preaching needs to have as its goal to incite godly grief in the congregation.  

The ultimate aim, of course, is repentance.  Without the conviction of sin—turning to the Lord and from the world—there can be no genuine salvation. For any sinners in the sanctuary seats, we need to use the law of God to bring the full weight of wickedness and impending judgment upon their minds and hearts, so to drive them to the sweet relief of justification. 

But, the saints need to repent also—to a salvation without regret. I think Paul alludes to being saved as by fire as he discussed in a previous letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor.3:11-15).  These will gain heaven, but lose reward. Pastors dare not let the flock settle in for a carnal, compromising, complacent life. Although there is much to say about the need for repentance for salvation in the New Testament, there is also significant content on the matter of repentance for sanctification directed to the churches (see Rev.2-3). 

A lack of godly grief can produce death—the second death for those who have not truly become broken over sin and birthed by the Spirit. It can also lead to death in the church—a spiritual deadness without vitality, “having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Tim.3:5a). Jesus said to the church at Sardis, “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead,” (Rev.3:1b).

What is the evidence of the efficacy of such exposition?=

Vindication, “eagerness to clear yourselves.”  They wanted a clear conscience before God and clean conduct before men. 

Indignation, “what indignation.”  They responded with a righteous rage against evil in their own hearts, first, then in the church, and also the world—a holy hatred of sin.

Trepidation, “what fear.”  This is the fear of a holy God before whom we must all someday give account.

Anticipation, “what longing.”  Looking for the blessed hope when we will be saved to sin no more—not merely being saved from sin’s penalty, nor even just its power, but its very presence!  This has a purifying effect, “And everyone who thus hopes in him [Christ] purifies himself as he is pure,” (1 John 3:3). 

Consecration, “what zeal.”  Godly grief that leads to repentance kindles a fire of consecration on the altar of our hearts. As was said of Jesus, “Zeal for your house will consume me,” (John 2:17; cf. Ps.69:9). 

Mortification, “what punishment.”  Taking sin and self to the cross. Elsewhere he put it, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col.3:5). They had witnessed this in Paul, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified,” (1 Cor.9:27).

“Earnestness,” and “eagerness,” to pursue holiness was the result of Paul’s preaching to them. May we pray the Spirit to so work through our proclamation, as we recall our sacred charge, “reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching,” (2 Tim.4:2).

 Such preaching will not gain the approval of men (2 Tim.4:3-4), but it will gather the applause of heaven (1 Pet.5:4)!  In the end, both preacher and those he has impacted will rejoice together in glory!