|
A Christian's
Perspective on...
| |
Sorrow |
Joy |
| Duration |
 | It's temporary (Esther 9:22, Psalm 30:5, John
16:20) |
| God controls it (Isaiah 14:3, Isaiah 35:10) |
|
| It's ultimately eternal (Revelation 21:4,
Psalm 5:11, John 16:22) |
|
| Purpose |
| To strengthen us (Ecclesiastes 7:3, 2nd
Corinthians 4:17) |
| To demonstrate His mercy (Philippians 2:27,
James 5:10-11) |
|
| To uplift the Body of Christ (Acts 15:3,
Philippians 2:1-2, 1st Thessalonians 3:9-10) |
| To help us resist temptation (James 1:2) |
|
| Outcome |
| It makes us more like Christ (1st Peter 4:13) |
| It draws us closer to God (James 4:8-10) |
|
| It draws us closer to God (Jude 21-25, John
15:11) |
|
The
non-Christian Perspective:
| |
Sorrow |
Joy |
| Duration |
| It lasts a lifetime (Genesis 3:17, Psalm
55:9-10, Psalm 90:10) |
| It's ultimately eternal (1st Thessalonians
4:13) |
|
| It's temporary (Job 20:5, Luke 8:13) |
|
| Purpose |
| To bring judgement (Lamentations 3:64-66,
Mark 13:19) |
| To bring repentance (Psalm 107:39) |
|
| To dash the hypocrite's hope (Job 8:13-19) |
| To uplift Self (Ecclesiastes 2:9-11) |
|
| Outcome |
| Separation from God (Ezekiel 23:32-35, Rev
18:5-8) |
| Ultimately, Death (2nd Corinthians 7:10) |
|
| Ultimately, Death (Matthew 24:48-51) |
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Copyright 2003 Leon V. Smith. All rights
reserved.
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