The Right Answer
Today’s Verse:
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: ~1 Peter 3:15
Many times, people have questions about the Bible and the Christian life. They might hear something the Pastor said in his message that they did not completely understand. One way to help someone get a good grasp on a subject is by allowing them to ask questions. This enables them to obtain the answer that they need. People are looking for answers to their questions. Do you have the right answer?
We must have the right answer about our salvation.
Peter speaks of “the hope that is in you.” Jesus Christ is the hope of glory in every believer. We have a living hope because of our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour. If you are asked, “Do you know for sure that you are saved?” you want to be able to give a thorough response of what Jesus did for you when you received Him. The word for “reason” is the Greek word “logos.” Logos refers to the entirety of Biblical revelation. The word for “answer” is a Greek word that describes the defense or apologetic for our faith. Thus, a Biblical explanation is a solid reason of the hope that is in us.
We must have the right answer in our suffering.
“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled.” Suffering involves discomfort, heartache, and pain. Peter was writing to Christians who were suffering for the faith. People are watching us when we suffer and go through the fire of tribulation. They are watching to see if we complain, if we pray, and if we have faith in God in our suffering. People want to know how we can have patience when we suffer. People want to know if we trust God completely and believe that something good will come out of the trial. Do you testify of God’s power at work in you when you go through a trial?
We must have the right answer in our spirit.
We must give a right answer in meekness and fear. Earlier in the chapter, Peter exhorted Christian wives to wear the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. Meekness implies a teachable and humble spirit. Fear implies that we are careful to say the right thing. People are attracted to a sweet spirit. A good spirit means that we do not respond to other people with a retaliatory spirit that seeks to get even, or answer back in anger. Moses responded to pushback from the Israelites in meekness and fear. It is going to prayer and not going to others with our complaint. It is taking it on the chin and praying for God to be merciful to the people who are giving you the pushback.
We must have the right answer in our sanctification.
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.” God uses suffering and hardships to conform us into the image of Christ. Sanctifying our hearts is getting our hearts ready for suffering. Are we better or bitter when we are in a trial? Are we filled with rage or resting in the Lord? Sanctifying the Lord in our hearts is taking time to be holy! It is giving ourselves to reading the Word and much time in prayer. It is making sure that Jesus is Lord over every aspect of our lives. The right answer is demonstrating that the Lord is in control, and we are allowing Him to do a good work in us. It is living out “thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Be ready to give a right answer!
Have a ready God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Samuel 4-7