“But in your
hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect, … .” (1 Peter 3:15)
Considering the fact that
Peter is the disciple who denied Christ 3x (John 18:17, 25-26), it is
interesting to me that he, of all people, should be the one saying to always be
prepared to tell others of the hope that is within you. From scripture we know that he redeemed
himself many times over through the evangelistic work he performed until his
death. It has been said that when the
resurrected Jesus asked Peter 3x if he loved Him, then responded to his
affirmative reply with “Feed my sheep”, it was meant to show Christ forgave him
of his denials.
We
too have been forgiven much. Our life in
Christ is to radiate from us like sunlight to those around us. People should see something different in the
way we handle our affairs and speak to those around us. They should become curious regarding that
difference and feel compelled to ask what is different about us. Perhaps they are people who have known us
prior to our conversion. Perhaps they
are strangers to us. Our lives in Christ
should be such that we are always at the ready to explain to anyone who asks “it
is not I, but Christ in me, who has made me the way I now am”. Until
next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
