JOY ALWAYS
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Cups Of Joy And Sorrow
Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always, And again I say, Rejoice!"
a) That text is often quoted and in many cases it is much misunderstood. The text is sometimes used to make people feel guilty who are downhearted, sorrowful, grieving, depressed — as if they need that burden of guilt on top of their other unhappiness! This passage certainly does say we should rejoice always. However it does not say we should rejoice only. This verse does not forbid sorrow. If it did, then it would condemn Jesus, because he was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).
2. Joy Always
a) No matter what sorrows we suffer, our cup of joy can still be always full. One of the passages we mentioned before says, "Though you have not seen Jesus Christ, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Now this is true for the firm believer no matter what sorrow or misery might come the believer’s way.
b) A person who has just lost a loved one, or had a leg amputated, or whose house has just burned down, has every reason to be sorrowful. Yet they don't stop believing in Jesus or loving him, nor do they do so any less for their sorrow. Therefore, whilst they have great sorrow, they also retain all their joy in Jesus, and that faith, love, and joy, helps them immensely to cope with their great sorrow.
c) There is joy always, and that joy is always full (1 John 1:4).
The End ...
1. Cups Of Joy And Sorrow Philippians 4:4
"Rejoice in the Lord always, And again I say, Rejoice!"
a) That text is often quoted and in many cases it is much misunderstood. The text is sometimes used to make people feel guilty who are downhearted, sorrowful, grieving, depressed — as if they need that burden of guilt on top of their other unhappiness! This passage certainly does say we should rejoice always. However it does not say we should rejoice only. This verse does not forbid sorrow. If it did, then it would condemn Jesus, because he was "a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3).
2. Joy Always
a) No matter what sorrows we suffer, our cup of joy can still be always full. One of the passages we mentioned before says, "Though you have not seen Jesus Christ, you love him, and though you do not see him now, but believe in him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" (1 Peter 1:8). Now this is true for the firm believer no matter what sorrow or misery might come the believer’s way.
b) A person who has just lost a loved one, or had a leg amputated, or whose house has just burned down, has every reason to be sorrowful. Yet they don't stop believing in Jesus or loving him, nor do they do so any less for their sorrow. Therefore, whilst they have great sorrow, they also retain all their joy in Jesus, and that faith, love, and joy, helps them immensely to cope with their great sorrow.
c) There is joy always, and that joy is always full (1 John 1:4).
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