Hope

 1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 


I can only remember a couple of times when people have asked me for a reason for my happy, cheerful manner. The first time I fluffed an answer and said it must just be my personality.

The second time I started to give a reason for my hopefulness, saying I have a lot to be thankful for. Even the first time, at uni, I had a verse on my door: 'taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in him'.

It's interesting that Peter seems to imply that we shouldn't need to engineer opportunities to testify of our faith in Christ the Lord. Our hope should be evident. People should be asking us why we're hopeful.

If we honour Christ the Lord as holy, we're not going to let people take his name in vain without comment. When my work colleague says 'Jesus' out of turn, I ask, 'what about him?'! We don't have to passively ignore it when people disrespect our Lord.

'Sovereign Lord, please help us gently and respectfully witness of your greatness to the world. For we ask for the honour of your name, amen'.

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