ARE YOU ALWAYS READY TO TALK ABOUT JESUS?
The apostle Peter wrote to encourage those who were being persecuted not to fear nor worry about those who threatened them. Instead of giving into fear and worry, they were to worship Christ as Lord in all areas of their lives and to always be ready to talk about their hope in Christ to others.
Worshiping Christ as Lord has the sense of setting Him above all other concerns and loves. It means to revere Him above all others. Thus revering Him, we will have no fear of man.
Having set apart Christ in our hearts, we are always to be ready to offer an explanation for the hope we have in Him. The Greek word is “apologia,” which has the sense of defending or giving a reason for a position or belief. Instead of worrying about persecution or rejection, we are to be ready to give a reasonable explanation of our hope in Christ to everyone who asks.
However, the attitude of our explanation is not to be prideful or disrespectful. No, we are to offer our answer in a gentle and respectful way. Our answer is not meant as a self-defense, but a defense of the gospel. We are not to attack the questioner, but to humbly reason with them, that they might be convinced to believe.
Are you always ready to give a reason for the hope you have in Christ? This readiness begins in the heart. We talk about what is most dear to our hearts.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we set apart Christ as Lord of our hearts today. We set our affections and desire on pleasing Him above all others. We fear His displeasure more than we fear the rejection or persecution of man. Father, help us to keep our hearts and minds set on Jesus, so that we are always ready to answer those who ask about the hope we have in Him. In Jesus’ name, amen.