S) "15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;"
1 Peter 3:15 (NASB)
O) Many times, I have heard this verse quoted, but seldom have I heard it quoted entirely. Certainly, we should always be ready to give an account, to give our testimony, about what Christ has done for us and why we have hope. However, it is even more important that Christ is sanctified as Lord in our hearts. That is foundational, it is what will give us the hope in the first place, and it is what will prompt us to follow through on the last words of this command, as well. The gentleness and reverence mentioned, are actually tied to the choice of wording, using "give an account," to describe this testimony. In the context, Peter is talking about suffering persecution for doing what is right. He goes on to say that's it's even better to suffer for doing what is right, than for doing wrong, because it glorified God all the more. In the same way, it is our hope in the midst of such persecution, that will truly reveal just how true our faith is, and reveal Christ as Lord to others.
A) Bullies don't like it when their intimidation fails. In fact, the last couple days of reading, I just saw how Sennacherib, king of Assyria, came against Hezekiah in Judah. When his general, Rabshakeh, laid siege to Jerusalem, he tried to intimidate God's people. They had only recently returned to the LORD, under Hezekiah's reforms. When the threats didn't immediately work, the general asked why they thought they could resist. That is exactly the kind of picture Peter is describing. The call to give an account for our hope, with gentleness and reverence - for our persecutors - is about God taking a dire circumstance and turning it for His glory, just as He did through Hezekiah, Isaiah, and Jerusalem. So, I should certainly be ready to share my testimony with a stranger, if they show some interest in what makes me who I am. However, more importantly, I need to be sure I have exalted Christ as Lord in my heart, because there will be persecution. In those moments, when my faith is attacked, I had better be sure I know how to respectfully, gently, respond to detractors. The question that must always be at the forefront of my mind, is to wonder what will glorify my Lord the most. My words, and my attitude, must be in line with His will, especially when an opponent to the gospel is trying to tear me down.
P) Father, You are holy. You are sovereign, and I lay down my rebellion in submission to You as Lord, Christ. I raise the white flag of surrender. I know who I am, when I rebel against You, destined for destruction. I know who I have become in Christ, given life. In Christ, I have begun to understand Your love for me, and I have begun to understand just how deeply my love for You moves me to a life of submission to You, Lord. Give me wisdom and grace, Lord God, that in the face of any opposition, I may have both the words and attitude to best honor You as Lord in my heart, that You would receive all glory on earth as You do in heaven. If my testimony would ever be part of a person submitting themselves to Christ as Lord, then I am blessed to play a part. But, if my testimony never does, I pray that every time I speak it, every time I tell the reason for my hope in You, that You would be glorified in the utmost. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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