![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/1_Peter_3_15a.jpg)
| “But in your hearts set apart 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 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” |
| —1 Peter 3:15-16 |
As we walk along the pathway set before us by the Holy Spirit, we believers in the life-transforming power of the living Lord Jesus Christ will often have the opportunity to say a word of hope, grace, and peace that might well give someone a boost. We do this out of obedience to Christ, as His ambassadors.
But, the words that come from our lips can only properly represent Jesus when they form in the depths of our hearts that we have devoted to Him. The Apostle Peter understood this when he wrote these words found in 1 Peter 3:15-16:
But in your hearts set apart 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 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
By setting the Lord Jesus apart from all other concerns we may have, and by giving Him our utmost devotion, we will find that our obedience produces the fruit of being able to properly represent Him to a needy and dying world. By gently speaking words of truth, love, and grace into people’s lives, we will be able to be used by the Holy Spirit as instruments of God’s mercy.
As we begin a new day, let’s make certain we have given our Lord the fullest measure of devotion that we have. Then, let’s go forth into the world and, as God brings people across the pathway of our lives, let’s gently, tenderly, and lovingly share with them the hope that resides within us because of Jesus.
