You might trust the words of a friend who had true, experiential understanding of a subject. Peter’s first letter to the church is written by a man who lived with Jesus and understood how to be spiritually one with the Father, as Jesus prayed he would be. Peter understood the rest and refreshing we have when God’s glorious spirit lives within us. We can trust his advice on how to live.
I Peter 4:14:
If you are reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Peter had the “spirit of glory and of God” resting upon him. Peter, a simple fisherman, followed Jesus and learned to walk by God’s spirit. He understood Jesus was the Messiah by God’s spirit [Matthew 16:16]. He healed disease and cast out devils by God’s spirit [Matthew 10:1]. He walked on water by God’s spirit [Matthew 14:29]. He first told the world about God’s spiritual gift on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2:38]. By the spirit in Peter the lame man at the Temple leaped and praised God [Acts 3:8], many were healed by his passing shadow [Acts 5:15], Samaritans showed forth God’s spirit in them [Acts 8:17[, Aeneas walked after years of paralysis [Acts 9:34], Dorcas was raised from death [Acts 9:40], Gentiles were first led to receive the holy spirit [Acts 10:44].
Peter knew what it meant to be “reproached for the name of Christ.” He had been hauled before religious leaders, put in prison, sentenced to death, and warned never to speak in the name of Jesus. Yet, he was “happy” to obey God rather than men. What is “the spirit of glory and of God” that rests upon you?
Language has a God-designed structure. Linguists define how a noun functions in a sentence by its “case.” The genitive case shows relationships. We can say “the dog of the man” or “the man’s dog” in English. There is a relationship between master and pet. The spirit “of glory” and “of God” could be simply translated as “God’s glorious spirit.” This is the spiritual gift and the wisdom that comes when we confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead [Romans 10:9]. Paul wrote about this spirit that lives in us.
Ephesians 1:17:
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.
This spirit comes from God, Who is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father of glory—the source of His manifested power. And He gives us His spirit that brings wisdom and knowledge of spiritual things.
I Corinthians 2:12,13:
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
That’s how Peter could show forth God’s glorious power and write letters that spoke for God. He was taught by the spirit within him, just as every Bible writer was “moved” by the holy spirit.
II Peter 1:20,21:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture [the Bible] is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
And this spirit “rests” upon us. The Greek word for “rests” means to remain upon and give refreshing. Jesus said that when we come to him with our heavy burdens, he will refresh us [Matthew 11:28]. He took his disciples to a quiet place where they could be refreshed [Mark 6:31]. I have often found true rest and refreshing by God’s spirit within me.
So, what about us? When we are reproached for the name of Christ, what are we to think? We are to remember the glorious power and strength that comes from the Father’s spirit within us through Jesus Christ our Lord! It is “God’s glorious spirit” within us, and we have so much to be thankful for.
I remember, as a boy, a candy bar being called indescribably delicious. Well, God’s spirit within us is even greater!
II Corinthians 9:15:
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable [indescribable] gift.
5 replies on “God’s Glorious Spirit Gives Us Rest”
Excellent and encouraging, as always! Thanks Gene! Much love to you and Sherry!
We see to a greater degree how insane it is not to have or live, without the holy spirit. All the ice cream in the world, couldn’t hold a candle to having and enjoying, the delicious flavor and peace, that God’s gift gives us. We appreciate all of the examples you gave about Peter. He truly made walking by the spirit his lifestyle.
When boiling water or cooking anything it can begin to spill over. But it takes time. I often think of this as a comparison to speaking the truth in love. God’s Word isn’t magic. But it is power that builds up as we speak it until suddenly there is much fruit. We simply have to be patient. Thank you for the teaching. It was a great review looking at Peter’s life. We sure have a Great Big Wonderful God.
God bless you and thank you.
Richard
The concepts of resting upon and rest are so vital for the Christian! When we recognize that the spirit of God rests upon us, we will stop fretting and enter the rest we are provided (Hebrews 4). ♥
Good Word! The concept of rest and resting upon is so vital. When we understand that God’s spirit “rests upon” us, we stop fretting and enter the rest God makes possible (Hebrews 4).