But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15
Everybody has some beliefs or convictions about something. Very often people believe something just because someone else believes it or that is what their parents believed.
When beliefs are only because someone else believed in them, it is difficult for a person to give a solid reason to believe. For this reason, it is common for people to change what they believe in or follow on a regular basis.
Peter, in light of being persecuted, encourages the people to make Christ their Lord and to be prepared to give a reason for their hope. In giving a reason, it is to be done with gentleness and respect.
In the same way that many in the world cannot give a solid reason for some belief or hope, many in the church flounder when talking about why they believe what they believe. Most common is stating that what one believes is because that is what the pastor said.
Hope is often lost because people have taken their eyes off of God and are looking at dreadful circumstances in front of them. They do not take the time to study God’s word and understand what God is doing.
Others have the hope, but present it in a very harsh way. Rather than showing love and gentleness, they beat people over the head with what they know and believe. They act as if others are stupid to not have the same hope.
Every believer needs to take time to understand why he has hope in Christ and learn to be able to tell others about that same hope. They will stand out as different when they hold up under persecution with the hope that they have.
As a believer you must know why you have hope and belief in Jesus. Let this be so much a part of your life that others will see it and want to know more about it. Allow that hope to carry you through difficult struggles that life will throw your way.
Along with having that hope inside of you, be willing to share it with others. The world needs to hear about the hope you have. Don’t beat them down with it, but share it with love and care.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know why you have hope in Jesus; that others will see the hope you have in Jesus; that you will be able to communicate to others why you believe what you believe; and that you will be God’s witness in this world.
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