Nowhere are the pain and horror of sin more real than at the cross of Christ. Yet, in spite of the ugliness of sin, the author of Hebrews tells us of a joy that is greater than any pain in this world. It is this joy that vanquished sin and allowed Jesus to despise the shame and suffering of the cross. This joy is what God has in store on the other side of sorrow for those who trust him and fix their eyes on him.
We walk by faith, not by sight. But unlike many who say that faith is bling, biblical faith is not. Biblical faith is enlightened and driven by the assurance of God’s promises and the certainty of our hope. Those who believe in the God of the Bible are able to see past the appearance of this world to the consummation of the kingdom. They resist the lure of sin and temporary glory embracing the Suffering King as their Lord and Savior. To experience God’s joy on the other side of sorry we must first pass through the sorrow of denying ourselves, taking up the cross.
