First Peter 3:15
“but in your hearts honor 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.”
Study to Be Ready
People will ask you why you believe in God. They might be asking for the wrong reasons, but we should be ready to give an answer, so to make sure you are ready, you should study to show that you’re able to give a biblical answer (2 Tim 2:15). The more often you witness to people, the better you’ll need to know the Word of God so that you can quote the Scriptures you need to about why you believe what you do. This may create the need to memorize Scripture or, as the Bible says, hide His Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11). You can be ready by diligently studying the Word of God.
Making a Defense
In today’s pluralistic society of the philosophy of “many paths to God,” we must stand firm on Jesus as being the One and Only Way to the Father (John 6:44) and the only name given to us by which anyone can possibly be saved (Acts 4:12). That seems to be narrow-minded in the world’s eyes, but Jesus said that the path that leads to destruction is a broad one and that most people are headed down that path (Matt 7:13). It’s not so amazing that the path to eternal life through Jesus Christ is narrow, but that there is even a path at all since we are all sinners.
There is a Purpose
One of the most famous atheists of all time was Friedrich Nietzsche, who once said, “In reality, human life, the earth, the universe have no purpose or meaning,” who thought that it should be “the desire of humans to dominate, exploit, and expropriate those weaker than themselves. He advocated the subjugation of women, who were there only for reproduction and the recreation of warriors.” Contrary to this belief, we were created for a purpose, and that was to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. We are also commanded to go into all the world to make disciples of all nations, and this includes teaching them everything that Jesus taught the disciples (Matt 28:18-20), so the truth is we do have a purpose. That purpose should encourage us to be ready to answer anyone who questions the hope that we have in us…but as 1 Peter 3:15 stresses, it should be done “with gentleness and respect” because it is only by the grace of God that we’d still be in unbelief too.
A Closing Prayer
Oh Great God in Heaven, thank You for showing us Your purpose for creating us and showing us that we need to be ready for those who ask about the hope that we have in Christ, for there is truly no other way to fulfill our purpose and to be joined in eternal fellowship with You. Thank You for redeeming us, who didn’t deserve it, and this also is to Your glory alone. I thank You in your glorious Son’s name, Jesus Christ.
Amen
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