BE PREPARED
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Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:13-18
Always be prepared to give … the reason for the faith that you have.
1 Peter 3:15
Even before Peter wrote to encourage the persecuted Christians of Asia Minor, Jesus had told his followers that they would have to suffer for his sake (see Luke 21:12-19; John 15:18-16:15).
A clever preacher once asked, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” The question is interesting, especially in Western societies where Christians are often indistinguishable from the people around them. But elsewhere people are frequently arrested for their faith in Christ. And secret police have ways of making people talk.
We are not to worry about such situations, or wrack our brains about ways to express our faith in such a way as to save our lives. Instead, Peter says, “Always be prepared to give … the reason for the faith you have.” What do you believe, and why do you believe it?
Christians often stress the importance of theological study and deep thinking about complex issues in the world we live in. That’s important, and it can give the church great strength. But it can also make people’s thinking so complicated that they do not know how to express their faith simply.
How would you answer someone who asked you, “What is a Christian? Why should I believe in Jesus?” Are you prepared to give a simple answer?
Prayer
Lord, many of your earliest disciples were uneducated, ordinary people. Make us zealous to tell others about you, our Savior, in a way that is clear and simple. Amen.
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What an encouragement today’s devotional is! I think the lack of personal Christian assurance for the faith we believe, is more wide spread than we imagine! I have posed the question to many self-confessing Christians with a rather “blank” response. Bless you for raising the importance of knowing what, why and how we believe! May many take a serious look at themselves! Bless you! Ray
Ray, the blank response hails from the mix-up in the process of our conversion. Most Christians believe it because they just must believe in something. Except they see signs and wonders they will not believe…even signs and wonders can be faked. So what is the solution?