The Reason of Hope
1 Peter 3:15 says “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:”
Much of the focus when hearing or reading commentary on this verse emphasizes the responsibility of believers to be ready to offer a defense for their faith and beliefs; we call this Apologetics. But upon further examination, this verse implies that before any sort of answer can be given, an inquiry must be made; an inquiry specifically regarding the reason of our hope. The further implication is that we are noticeably demonstrating this hope outwardly.
The verses surrounding 1 Peter 3:15 deal with trials and tribulations in the life of a believer. The point is that the believer need not agonize, become angry, or act foolishly during these times of difficulty, but exhibit a peace and a hope made possible by the ressurection of Christ from the dead. (1 Peter 1:3-4.) The public demonstration of this internal hope is what possesses the power to inspire interest in those that observe causing them to inquire the reason we have hope in situations where they have none.
Let us then be reminded that hope is found is Christ alone; and as important as answers are, they are of little value unless we are asked.
Like FBC on Facebook for more updates and information
Post a Comment
Comments for this post have been disabled.
1 Comments
Mari W at September 8, 2011 1:15am
Once we have experienced the fiery trials; when all the odds have been against us; when we have found ourselves drained physically and emotionally dry; when despair has almost taken complete hold of our hearts; when we have been in the lowest pit, covered in guilt and shame, and we have realized that we can't save ourselves, and we have cried "Abba"; and when God in all His power has revealed Himself to us … after we have experienced all that, over and over again, and have come to the realization that our Christ is the same before, during, after and always; that is when our internal hope in Christ is revealed outwardly.