1 Peter 3:13-16

October 03, 2024

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your faith caused others to take notice?

Perhaps you seemed to have peace amidst chaos, or you showed kindness to someone who really didn’t deserve it.

Living the Christian life is counter-cultural and often sets us apart, which can provoke questions from those around us. In these moments, how do we respond? How should we respond? 1 Peter 3:13-16 offers a clue.

¹³ “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But 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,¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

1 Peter 3:13-16

Let’s key in on verse 15.

Always be prepared to give an answer. Peter urges believers to be ready to articulate the reasons for their hope. Being prepared to give an answer assumes that people will be asking. Do people notice your faith? If they notice and ask about it, what would you say? Being prepared requires intentional reflection on your faith journey and knowing what you believe and why you believe it.

Reason for the hope you have. Our hope as Christians is not rooted in wishful thinking or mere optimism but in the person of Jesus Christ. He is our anchor in the chaos, our light in the darkness, the one who conquered sin and death, offering us eternal life. When others inquire about our hope, let us point them to the transformative power of Christ that we have experienced firsthand.

Gentleness and respect. In a world marked by division and hostility, our demeanour as Christians should set us apart. Let us engage others with humility and empathy, gentleness and respect, recognizing that everyone is on their own journey. By demonstrating love and understanding, we create space for meaningful dialogue.

Allow the transformative power of the gospel to be on full display in your life in such a way that others take notice. As you pursue a life that brings glory and honour to Jesus, may you seize every opportunity to share the hope we have in Him.

Ask God for an opportunity to share with someone about your hope in Him today.