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 4:11 (NASB)
I looked up the word ‘revile’ which according to Merriam-Webster means to subject to verbal abuse: to use abusive language.
In this day and age, there are words like “left, right, liberal, or conservative, then add radical, patriot, etc. to describe one’s belief politically. Both sides believe what they will. But what does God say? If we are reading His word, believing His word, and obeying His word, He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15). God has given His commandments in His word. His word is living, active, and if we allow His word to change us, it will. (Hebrews 4:12).
Wherever we stand in life, let us stand for Christ because we know we are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on us. We can speak the truth of God to a world that reviles against God, because we love God, who commands us to love others and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44; 1 John 3:1-24; John 3:34 ESV).
When we are up against those who call us names because we stand for truth, it can hurt but God reassures us in verse 19 “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”
Is what we say or what we believe in the will of God?
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a free will to choose to believe in You, to choose what we believe. Thank You for Your word that teaches us truth that can judge our heart. May You grant us courage when revilers come, may Your words be brought forth as the Spirit of Your glory and You rest upon us.
This devotion by author, Terrie Miles, is exclusively and solely shared with permission to New Beginnings Church. Any unauthorized printed reproduction, sharing or use of this material is prohibited.
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