A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"When They Ask?"

When was the last time someone ask you about your faith? This may seem like an unusual question to ask, even unfair, but it is the very question that God asks us through Peter in 1 Peter 3:15. This verse admonishes us to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have." This admonishment assumes that people will ask. The assumption is founded upon the fact that those who have set Christ apart in their hearts (note first part of the verse) live radically different from those who are in the world. Christians are people who live in harmony with one another, are sympathetic, compassionate, and humble. They do not repay evil for evil or insult with insult, but rather with blessing. They do what is right and good, even if it involves sacrifice and suffering. They do not fear what the world fears. They have a hope in the darkest and most difficult of times. (see verses 8-14) Such a life shines like a candle placed on a table for all to see (Matthew 5: 14-16) and at the very least will make people curious why we live so differently.

The question that the church asks most often today is; how do we get Christians motivated to share their faith? This verse challenges such a question by implying a totally different one. Namely, why are people not asking us about our faith? Could it be, as the text suggests, that it is because we haven't set Christ apart in our hearts and therefore our lives are so similar to those in the world that they are not curious? Could it be that the lives we live do not reflect the description in verses 8-14 and 16?

Beloved, we have forgotten that being a witness for Christ is not something we do, it is something we are! We are witnesses as we live authentic Christian lives. It is as we live out what we are in Christ that He is revealed and He, through us, draws people unto Himself. Christian living reveals Christ to people. But people do not recognize that it is Christ and therefore ask. This is why it is imperative that we are prepared to testify about Christ and point them to Him.

Being prepared involves knowing God's Word and being ready to share it ask. Being prepared involves a readiness to share our testimony. Being prepared is being ready to introduce someone to Jesus, our Savior and Lord. It does not mean having all the answers. It does not mean that you will answer all their questions. Stephen set an example for what it means to be prepared when he was brought before the Sanhedrin. He did not defend himself. He proclaimed Christ and to the very end remained faithful to Him. Saul, who witnessed and gave approval for Stephen's stoning, could not get away from Stephen's witness. (see Acts 7) It prepared him for his own life transforming encounter with Jesus Christ. The church is eternally grateful that Stephen was prepared to give an answer when he was ask!

Beloved, let us truly set Christ apart in our hearts by living authentic Christlike lives according to the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We we then will need to always be prepared to give an answer for our hope, because people will ask!

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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