The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Peter 3:15-16,
"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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
"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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Peter tells us to be prepared to give an answer to those who inquire about the hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ. This raises a few questions for me.
The first is, do I really revere Christ as Lord in my life? How do I express that? Do others see it? If I were to ask others around me, would they confirm it through what they see in my life? Could I ever be convicted in a court of law if it were illegal? Or, do I just show up on Sunday mornings?
Another question is, do others note in my life a hope they see? Is there something within my life that might cause others to wonder about the good cheer, the happiness, the expectation, the excitement I might feel for having Jesus Christ in my life and my future eternity in his family? Or, do I just show up on Sunday mornings?
Another question is, am I prepared to share my faith with others? Do I know how to do that? Can I articulate the gospel in a manner that is clear and not confused or confusing? That is couched in God's truth, not in my own deductive reasoning or logic (which is certainly going to be less compelling)? Or, do I just show up on Sunday mornings?
Another question is, can I share the gospel with others with gentleness and respect? Do I recognize the need to make the issue about Jesus Christ, rather than on what-a-horse's-rear-end-I-am? Do I place the same value on those around me that are not saved as Jesus Christ does, the One who died on the cross for them?
Or....?
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
A blog with my ruminations over the years can be found here: http://worshipfortoday.blogspot.com/
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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