1 Peter 3:15: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Have you ever read a book that you really liked and told all your friends how good it was? Then you found out it was made into a movie, and encouraged your friends to see the movie? More often than not, after seeing the movie, you’re disappointed because the “live” version of the book just doesn’t live up to the way the story was described in the book. There’s a let down, isn’t there?
Today’s verse prompts us to be prepared to defend our faith should we be asked by or challenged of it. Memorizing key Scriptures that speak to the truths of who God is and what hope we have because of our receiving the gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ is the right place to start to prepare ourselves for when we’re requested to support what we believe. You can never go wrong quoting Scriptures in a challenge. That’s what Jesus did when He was tempted by Satan. Jesus tells us to follow Him, so if He recites the Word of God when challenged, so should we.
I have to ask myself, though, is quoting Bible verses enough for someone to accept my defense of what I believe? Now I’m not questioning the power of God’s Word – it is the sword of the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Clearly, God’s Word is powerful enough to bring repentance to anyone.
For some people, though, they want to see the hope we proclaim. In other words, they want to see the ‘movie version’ of our statements of belief to be in line with the story that we’re offering as we defend our faith. Again, Scripture quotes are never a bad thing, but they become so much more powerful when the fruit that they can and should produce are evidenced by how we’re living. In other words, are we walking our witness?
If we’re proclaiming the truths and privileges of being a child of God, but we’re living unchanged lives – still slaves to our former selves, then the ‘visible’ evidence of our faith is lacking. For example, we quote 1 John 4:18, which says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” When the person or persons who look at how we live and see we are living in fear, then the credibility of the verse is damaged.
Galatians 5:22-23 offers the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and, self-control. If we’re not exhibiting these characteristics to those who are asking about our faith, then what is the draw or attraction to coming into a faith that yields no fruit – or change? Are we a disappointing movie version of a really good book?
This message is not meant to make you feel guilty or be condemned for not living a perfect life – it doesn’t exist – unless you’re Jesus. This message is also not to discourage you from defending your faith whenever you have the chance – God forbid! This message is a reminder for us to not just memorize the Scriptures that offer all the defenses of our faith but to bring a renewed focus on living the promises and the hope of the Scriptures we’re presenting. If you do this, people will see the difference in you, and they will be more inclined to ask what makes you different. You’re response should start with it’s not what makes you different, it’s Who makes you different. They’ll see the proof of the Good Book version.
Ask God to help you live out the truths of the promises of His Word. Everyone needs hope, and for those of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we can offer to an unbelieving world – both in word and in action – what great truth Romans 5:5 proclaims – hope does not disappoint. Amen.