As you live your life in your various vocation; as you live your life as a priest, offering your life as a living sacrifice to the Lord; as you serve God by serving others, people will notice. They will notice that you are different. They will notice that you are a Christian. Some will notice and have disdain toward you mainly because your good example brings them guilt and shame. Some will notice and have respect for you. And ultimately, some will notice and will even ask you about your faith. That is why Peter tell us:
14But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Peter 3:14-16).
You can preach sin and death, forgiveness and grace, Law and Gospel, just about anything all day long, and no one will listen to you because they are not interested in what you have to say unless they inquire or ask. So, Peter’s words of instruction and advice are very appropriate. Always be ready to give a defense (the Greek word is apologia or apology), and here the word defense means to give an answer for the hope that you have in Jesus.
It is when someone asks and only when they ask then are they truly interested and will listen to the answer you will give. Thus, it is imperative that we are always ready to give an answer for the hope we have in Jesus when we are asked because we never know what opportunity might arrive and that might be our only opportunity to give an answer.
And let us not neglect the last part of Peter’s advice to give and answer with gentleness and respect. Just as a kind word turns away wrath, so a gentle and respectful answer turns hearts toward Jesus.
6 of 52 © Rev. Dr. Ronald A. Bogs (2018)
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