Jesus said, "Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4). Paul, in II Corinthians 7 was rejoicing not that the Corinthians sorrowed, but that they sorrowed to repentance. A Godly sorrow over one's own sinful condition is a good thing, for it leads to repentance.
I received a phone call last night from a very dear friend. To my surprise, he told me that God had saved him. It was shocking to say the least for this is one I already was convinced to be my brother in the Lord. I knew God was working in his life but I didn't expect this.
A while back he was introduced to the Doctrines of Grace and became fascinated by them. He marveled that he had read over so many pages hydroplaning over God's electing love and grace and never took notice of these truths. Even more astonishing was that he had been raised in a Bible believing church and had never heard of these doctrines before. As he began to study these truths he became more and more convinced of his own depravity and God's holiness and even mentioned to me as well as others that he had some doubts over his own salvation. I tried to encourage him and tell him that we all struggle with sin and it is evident that Paul did from Romans 7. He listened to messages on assurance that gave him no relief but convicted his soul more deeply.
He told me that Tuesday night he wept before God for an hour over what he called the "ugliness" of his sin. Yesterday, he said, was probably the worst day he has ever had and finally last night he cast himself upon the mercy of God. "What happened?" I asked, not knowing much of what to say to someone I thought had been converted for a few years. He told me that he would think himself to be saved because of his thirst for a knowledge of the truth, but that it was God all along bringing him to the point of repentance.
He explained to me how he was raised in church and how he knew the truth and had heard it all but he needed to learn what is called "Calvinism" to show his utter helplessness. God used these doctrines that Spurgeon called "the Gospel" to reveal himself to my friend. He further explained to me how he never felt true repentance and faith when he professed to be saved, but learning these truths caused him to see how repulsive his own sin was before God. He said he felt like he was able to see himself as God saw him. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Are the Doctrines of Grace merely high theology for theologians and scholars to debate? I think not. They glorify God like no other and place man in his rightful position deserving nothing from God except judgment. They cause us to realize that salvation is all of grace and we cast ourselves upon the mercy of God in the Person of Jesus Christ. God is sovereign and His hand has been upon my friend this entire time and I bless His name for His sovereign grace.
This wasn't a quick fix and it didn't happen overnight. I am aware that some are saved the first time they heard the Gospel but most of the time that is not the case. We have grown accustom to calling for people to "make a decision for Christ" and to "hit the sawdust trail" but this "quick fix" theology has made our churches less pure than perhaps they ever have been. We need true converts and it wouldn't hurt to leave people in agony with God over their condition and let Godly sorrow work repentance. God alone can regenerate man and there is no power we have to do it in repeating a prayer or making a decision. God the Holy Spirit must breathe upon our dead bones. Salvation is monergistic.
What a God is ours Who would extend mercy to His fallen creatures; those who mock Him and elevate themselves above Him in our own minds! He is gracious, merciful, loving, and holy! He saved to the uttermost and He does it by grace alone. Praise Him!
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