Day 391 · Year 2 · Life with God
Always prepared to give an answer
Christian witness begins with hope, not with arguments.
Today's passage
1 Peter 3:15-16
15But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
Reflection
Peter assumes people will ask. He says: when they ask about the hope you have, be ready — and answer with gentleness and respect. Most of evangelism is not high-pressure. It is people noticing that you carry hope in places they expected despair, and asking why. Today's question is not 'am I good enough at apologetics?' It is 'is there hope visible in me that someone might ask about?' If yes, be ready to point them to its source.
From the great tradition · paraphrased
John Stott · Modern · 20th c. · England
John Stott modeled a calm, principled witness — careful with Scripture, gentle with people, convinced that the gospel does not need to shout because it has the truth on its side.
Paraphrase only. Scripture, not any teacher, is the authority.
Think it through
- What does Peter assume people will ask about, and what does he tell you to be ready to do?
- How are you supposed to answer?
- Is there hope visible in your life that someone might ask about?
A prayer to pray
Ask God to make hope visible in your life. Ask him for one conversation this week where you can quietly point someone to its source.