The Spirit of Glory
It seems more and more evident to me that Christians are coming under attack. I also see these attacks increasing with intensity. That’s why I believe in what I call “violent faith” – faith that isn’t passive, that doesn’t tiptoe around, that isn’t afraid of what people think, or that does not fear the consequences of being aggressive.
Peter wrote his first epistle to believers in Asia Minor who were experiencing the string of persecution. He strongly and boldly declared:
“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1 Peter 4:14).
The Holy Spirit, speaking through Peter, gave these courageous believers two great assurances as they endured persecution. First, He assured them that they hadn’t done anything wrong or believed anything wrong. Instead their persecution showed that the very Spirit of the Lord rested upon them.
Second, He promised these brave believers that His glory would rest on them. He was talking about the magnificent glory of God – the same glory that the nation of Israel experience in the wilderness and appeared as a cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night; the same glory that the high priest experienced in the Holy of Holies; the same glory that appeared to the shepherds keeping watch by the night the Lord Jesus was born; the same glory that came upon the Apostles in the Upper Room.
This is the same glory that will be ours forever when we allow that glory to strengthen us.
Now believe me, I’m no stranger to persecution. When I trusted Christ, my whole family turned against me and ostracized me. But as I held firm, the Holy Spirit came upon me with His glory, energizing my spirit and giving me the strength to go on.
Soon my entire family came to know Christ as Savior. For each of you who feels he is standing alone in the midst of opposition, take heart – the Holy Spirit of glory has promised to rest on you and He will keep His promise!
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