If you are reviled for the
name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of
God rests on you.
1
Peter 4:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
This verse is almost
identical to other verses I have already covered, but it carries a promise that
is so beautiful I thought it worth repeating. Being reviled (hated, loathed,
despised) is not something anyone wants to encounter. But we must remember that
when we are reviled for our faith that it is His Name which is being reviled,
not us. They are hating what they see of Him in us. We should also remember
that they did worse to Him, and if they didn’t hate us, that would be proof
that they don’t see Him in us. That very act of hate toward us is reassurance
that we are imitating Christ. But we must be careful that what they hate is
true Christ-likeness and not our own arrogance or prejudice. There are many
Christians who are hated because they are unloving or hateful themselves. But
if we are hated because of our faith and godliness then we are blessed because
the Spirit of God is on us. We carry God in us, who is actively and continually
working to perfect us and make us like Him. We carry in us proof of our reward
to come, hope of the glory of God in eternity. Take heart! Remember the goal
and glory awaiting us and for Whom you suffer, and be blessed!
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