“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”
On their part
“Their part” refers to those who criticize Christians for sharing their faith.
He is blasphemed
“Blaspheme” means to slander. People rail at Christians who take a stand for the Lord Jesus. They speak evil of the Lord. They wonder why you do not hold to their values anymore. They cannot figure out why you do not still run with them (cf. 1 Pe 4:4; 2:12).
but on your part He is glorified
How do Christians relate to Christ in suffering? We glorify him. We make much of Jesus. When we glorify God, we fulfill God’s purpose of creation for us. Our goal is to praise the Lord Jesus. We do not have to be brilliant or gifted to glorify him; we have to be clean. God’s purpose in suffering is to glorify Christ.
Php 1:29, “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.”
Acts 5:40-42, “And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ [Messiah].”
PRINCIPLE:
God’s purpose in suffering is to glorify Christ.
APPLICATION:
People take Jesus’ name in vain everywhere. Have you ever heard anyone taking Buddha’s name in vain? Did you ever hear anyone say, “For Buddha’s sake,” “For Confucius’ sake,” “For Mohammed’s sake?”
The Christian holds the name of Jesus in high regard. He portrays him as the most exalted person in the universe.
