Wednesday, March 29, 2006
1 Peter 3:15b, 18a . . . Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you . . . for Christ also suffered once for sins . . .
SEMPER PARATUS!
It has been 3 years since the initial invasion of Iraq. In those months leading up to that day, the reports had been full of news of the American military build up in the Middle East trying to get ready to defend us overseas before more harm was done to us here.
Today we find Peter encouraging us as believers to "always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." Just like the armed forces prepared ahead of time to be ready for an attack, we are to be ready to answer questions or challenges to our faith.
At Peter's time, admitting to being a believer could well mean death. But Peter encouraged his readers: "Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled" (3:14).
Yes, the circumstances have changed. In our country we do not face death for being a Christian, but yet it is very true that we are faced with those who want to know "about the hope that is in us." We are to be ready to testify, to correct misunderstandings there may be about Christ, to spread the Gospel, to win others to Christ, to put into our own words what we believe -- what the Bible says.
We need Peter's reminder today so that we actively make use of every opportunity there is to ready ourselves to answer concerning God's Word, for those chances to answer questions may well not come at the best times -- the phone rings during dinner or as we are hurrying out the door on our way to an appointment. But whenever they come, let's keep in mind what Peter writes in v. 18: "Christ suffered once for sins, that He might bring us to God . . ."
May we never lose sight of the perspective that Peter would give us from Jesus' Passion: the fact that Jesus suffered and died to take care of our sins and to bring us to God! For it is by keeping in mind what God has done for us, that we will be moved to desire to use every opportunity to bring others to God as He has done for us!
