Be Ready To Give An Answer

1 Peter 3:15 “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

Introduction
We must always be ready:
To give an answer;
To do a good work;
To demonstrate our faith;
To enter heaven upon our death.

To give an answer
This word is from the Greek word apologia which means to offer a defense.
It is where we get the word “apologetics”, which means to look at the evidence.
Philippians 1:17 “I am set for the defense of the gospel.”
It implies we are ready to make a defense of our belief to anyone who asks.
Of the hope within us
This is the reason we do what we do:
To please the Lord,
To obey His commands,
To do His will,
To rely upon His promises,

What is the reason for the hope within us?
The word for reason is logos.
It means a word, and specifically it means to communicate.
The reason we offer our understanding is not some wild theories, or rantings, but a clear concise explanation of our belief.
This should be done free from emotions.
All this implies a knowledge of God’s word.

Things Implied By This Passage.

That a Christian’s hope is defensible.
The only reason a Christian cannot defend their faith is because they do not know what their faith actually is.
Our faith can and needs to be defended.
Jude 3 implores us to contend earnestly for the faith.
Jude’s reason for saying this is because error had crept into the brotherhood.
If you cannot defend your faith:
You either do not believe it, or you do not know how to defend it.
The remedy for such a problem is to study God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15),
If you cannot believe your faith, you cannot receive any benefit from your faith.
We believe we are going to heaven, because Jesus went to prepare a place, and God has told us how to get there.

That there is such a thing as absolute truth.
God gave it to us.
Many in the world deny that such is a possibility.
For most people, truth is what they decide for themselves.
By appealing to the Bible, the word of God, we put our trust in the absolute truth of its teachings.
We are to hold fast the faithful word (2 Timothy 1:13)

That we can understand the revelation God has given to us.
Many argue that we cannot understand the Bible alike.
That is because they do not want to submit to the truth, because it conflicts with what they want to do.
Ephesians 5:17 understand the will of the Lord
Ephesians 3:3-5 you may understand my insight.
Many never read the Bible because they have been told it is impossible to understand. They have never investigated that claim.

That a Christian should be able to defend what he/she believes.
2 Corinthians 4:3 we believe therefore we speak.
Faith is not blind, but is supported by evidence.
Just how much evidence we need for convincing ourselves depends upon us.
Just how much evidence we need for convincing others depends upon them.

That there is a duty to teach others.
We should not do this in arrogance or pride, but with meekness and fear (a genuine respect for God’s word).
We should not be ashamed of the gospel Romans 1:16
Acts 20:26-27 I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God.
The Bible has everything needed for man to be saved.
We just need to show them what the Bible teaches.
This does not mean one has to be a public speaker or a professional scholar.
But it does mean that we should be comfortable enough with our knowledge of the Bible to share it with others.
We should know the Bible well enough to correct error as Aquila and Pricilla instructed Apollos.
So that we can contend for the faith; Jude 3

Conclusion
Be ready
To make a defense (give an answer)
Of the hope within you,
Yet with gentleness and reverence.
Know the scriptures well enough to believe them yourself, so that you can convince others of the importance to following them.

By Carey Scott

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