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"The Spirit of glory and of God"

Text: 1 Peter 4:14

THE BEATITUDES OF CHRIST REMEMBERED

The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ were truly deep and impactful. The Beatitudes of Christ were recalled and applied in Peter’s epistle. The 8th Beatitude came to mind as Peter wrote this word.

“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
On their part He is blasphemed,
but on your part He is glorified.”
1 Peter 4:14

1. “If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you”

a) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.” (Matthew 5:10)

This is the 8th Beatitude.

b) This word was further elaborated on by the Lord (Matthew 5:11).

i) People may revile.

ii) They may persecute.

iii) They may say all kinds of evil against you for My sake.

c) This was the experience of some believers.

i) They were being reproached for the name of Christ.

ii) Peter urged them to believe that they are indeed “blessed!”

iii) He was merely citing what the Lord Jesus Himself had proclaimed.

2. “For the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you”

a) Wherein was this blessing?

b) The explanation given:

i) The Spirit of glory is a reference to the Holy Spirit.

He rests upon the believers who are suffering for Christ Jesus.

ii) There is indeed “glory” from the Spirit given.

iii) This “glory” is that which is associated with God Himself.

iv) Hence, this glory is not to be taken for granted.

3. “On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified”

a) The reproaches heaped upon the believers is nothing short of blasphemy.

i) There is deep identification between Christ and His followers.

ii) When they are reproached, the Lord Himself is reproached.

iii) To speak evil of believers is to speak ill of the Lord Jesus!

b) “He is glorified”

i) Christ is glorified in the faith of believers.

ii) When believers continue to hold fast to their faith despite persecution, the Lord Jesus is glorified.

c) This deep perspective:

i) It ought to be carefully appreciated.

ii) It should bring enlightenment.

iii) It should also cause the heart to rejoice despite pain and suffering.