The Spirit Of Glory

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Oct 1974

"If ye are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are ye; because the Spirit of glory and the Spirit of God resteth upon you". (1 Pet. 4:14)

Reproaches and sufferings have been the portion of many of God's saints down the centuries. As the Master, so must the servant be (John 15:20). What would often have been a shameful experience has been turned to a glorious one by the presence of the Spirit of glory. Madame Guyon wrote

"They know, who thus oppress me,

'Tis hard to be alone;

But know not,

One can bless me;

Who comes through bars and stone.

He makes my dungeon's darkness bright,

And fills my bosom with delight."

And so it has been with many thousands of God's saints who have suffered. Of them "the world was not worthy" (Heb. 11:38).

It is written of the early disciples that they took joyfully the spoiling of their possessions. They endured a great conflict of sufferings. They were made a grazingstock, both by reproaches and afflictions; and they shared with them that were so used (Heb. 10:32-34). How could they endure all this? They did it because the Spirit of glory was resting upon them. They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the Name (Acts 5:41). Stephen's face shone like the face of an angel, before his accusers (Acts 6:15). The Spirit of glory was resting upon the Lord's faithful servant.

Today, as down the centuries, many believers are passing through fiery trials, and many have sealed their testimony with their blood. Foxe's Book of Martyrs could be written over again. And still they suffer. But the Spirit of glory is with them, magnifying Christ in them. Some of their fellow-prisoners, and even their tormentors, can see the glory in them, and wonder what it can be. It is the work of the Spirit of glory.

Those who live in the "free world" may not be called on to suffer like some of our brethren in other lands, but there is a field of suffering in which we can share and rejoice. "Suffer hardship with the gospel", wrote Paul to Timothy. We will not prevail in this great service without suffering. The spiritual hosts of wickedness, who are the world rulers of this darkness, will not let us go unscathed. They will contest our work. But if we are reproached for the name of Christ, let us rejoice and press on. Someone has written:

"No wound? No scar?

Yet, as the Master, so must the servant be,

And pierced are the feet that follow Me;

But thine are whole: can he have followed far

Who has no wound nor scar?"

"Come over into Macedonia, and help us" said a man to Paul in a vision. And so they went only to land in jail, with bleeding backs. That, and other experiences, left Paul with marks on his body. Was he ashamed of those marks? No! He called them "the marks of Jesus". Yes, it costs something to carry the good news of Jesus Christ. But how worthwhile it is, when the Spirit of glory rests upon us.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Oct 1974
General