NOT I, BUT CHRIST IN ME

“…you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.” 1 Peter 3:15

     Considering the fact that Peter is the disciple who denied Christ three times⁽¹⁾    it’s 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 three times if he loved Him, then responded to his affirmative reply with “Feed my sheep”, it was meant to show Christ forgave him of his three denials. 

       Are we living our lives as if we have hope or are we allowing ourselves to be tossed about by the winds and waves of circumstance?  The more we live out our faith the more peculiar we may appear to those around us.  They have no hope, they have nothing to hold onto but their own limited, temporal resources which will eventually run out.  

       We have been forgiven much, therefore our life in Christ should 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. I should be our hope that they 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 ready to explain to anyone who asks “it is not I, but Christ in me, who has made me the way I am now”.  Can others see Christ in you?  When the opportunity arises are you able to tell them what Christ has done in your life?  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Resource:  The Life Application Study Bible – New Living Translation – Tyndale Publishing.

(1) John 18:17, 25-26