Daily Light Devotional: Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105)
Text: 1 Peter 3:15
“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.”
Over 36 years of ministry, I have observed misguided attempts to bear witness to the Gospel. I recall two individuals, on separate occasions, witnessing and sharing their faith and evangelizing. It was not a pretty sight, as they both went from table to table, booth to booth, with Bibles open and reading and proclaiming to the “sinners” the need to repent. They were foaming at the mouth, very passionate but garnered no results.
The text today from 1 Peter 3:15 offers a different approach to witnessing. The context of Peter’s letter is that the Christians were experiencing persecution and were becoming fearful of outsiders and of the world. Peter encourages them to not be afraid. Instead, he says – “be prepared to give an answer to anyone who asks the reason for the hope you have.” Firstly, in witnessing, let the people come to you. Let them come to you with their questions. Let them see the joy and peace and love that fills you. Let them wonder. Let them ask and all you need to do is to be prepared. Be prepared to share who Jesus is in your life and why that gives you hope. Witnessing is not about arguing about doctrine. It is about witnessing (speaking the truth) about who Jesus is in your life.
The opening of our text tells us how this is possible. “In yourhearts revere Christ”. That means to worship and to exalt. It means to be grounded in Christ; to abide in Christ. As we remain in that place, the fruit of the Spirit begins to give evidence of the presence of the Lord in our life and others begin to take notice. It’s as simple as that. The challenge is to be prepared and to speak.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of being a witness to your son, my Lord, Jesus Christ. Help me Holy Spirit to be prepared to speak to those who ask me about the love, peace, joy and hope that comes from me. Be glorified in and through me today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.