"but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame" (1 Peter 3:15-16).
Here we have the concise encouragement from the pen of the Apostle Peter to every believer's duty to "give a reason for the hope that is in you." When Christ is honored as holy (1 Peter 1:13-19) in speech, deed and life, then the testimony follows the truth: "make a defense to anyone who asks..." Whether we are on Larry King Live or with our friends, family, neighbors or co-workers, we should always be ready with the Lord's Word to give the divine reason for our eternal hope.
And this must done with two qualities: gentleness - for our fellow man; reverence: for our holy God. Gentleness: being able to take maltreatment and persecution to the glory of God absent of revenge, malice, and retribution; and then doing acts of kindness to our oppressors; trusting in God's sovereignty in spite of whatever injustice is being committed against us. This is all of the attributes of personality brought into utter submission to Christ and for His glory.
And reverence: this is as an act of worship to God, the sharing of His gospel. "By the fear [or terror] of the Lord I persuade men..." (cp, 2 Cor. 5:9-15). It is in light of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ--having to give an account before Him for all that we have done in the flesh, supplies the motivation to herald His gospel to the lost. Do we think of being an “ambassador of Christ” and proclaiming His good news as an act of worship? Well it is (read 2 Timothy chapter one). Calling men to repentance and to salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone is the evangelistic ministry we are all commanded to do and delight in (Luke 24:44-49). The result of which are those who “see our good behavior” may be put to shame--brought low in humility--under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to respond by His gift of regeneration causing faith to be granted to the sinner to confess Christ as Lord for salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
Oh what joy to proclaim Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:2); but oh what sorrow, when our tongues for self-preservation hold back from sharing the word of truth (Gal. 2:14). "For God has not given us a spirit of fear..." (2 Tim. 1:6-7).  So let us go as Whitefield went, taking no thought of convenience, name, reputation, or station in life to the marketplace of this world where God has sovereignly placed us as His witnesses and share unashamedly our Lord and His gospel (2 Tim. 1:8). The fields are white with harvest, but the workers are few (Luke 10:2). Will we answer the call to speak for our Lord Jesus Christ this week--or will we remain silent, comfortable, timid and blind to the peril that awaits those without Christ? In the powerful words of my dear late friend, “How can we be so numb not to care if they come; don't close your eyes and pretend the job is done” (Keith Green, from the song, 'Asleep in the Light' - on the CD, "No Compromise").
As the Day draws near,
Steve Camp
-Romans 15:20 |
