| “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” |
| —1 Peter 3:15 |
As a life-long Evangelical—well, okay, as I have mentioned previously, for the first 25 years of my life I was actually a strict Fundamentalist—I have sat through dozens of classes on how to witness for Christ. No doubt these classes did offer some good advice. But nothing exceeds the value of Apostolic instruction on how to properly represent the peace, joy, love, and freedom that knowing Christ can bring to a life. Case in point: please read these words from the Apostle Peter—in part quoting from Psalm 34 and Isaiah 8—found in 1 Peter 3:10-16:
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Now, that’s really good instruction. Let’s take Peter’s words to heart and share with gnetle care and with great delight what Jesus means to us.
Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, May 13, 2015
