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10 May 2008
Word on the Web
1 Peter 3 v 13-17
If you are trying hard to do good, no one can really hurt you. But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed.
"Don't be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things." (Isaiah 8:12-13)
But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong if that is what God wants.
One of the biggest challenges for many Christians today is talking openly and honestly about their faith. Evangelism has a bad name, from the door-knocking campaigns of last century. Many people live in fear of anyone asking questions relating to their faith. Yet if we live distinctly differently, loving and serving others, surely those questions are inevitable. "Why is it that you live this way?"
Peter encourages us to be ready on every occasion to speak up in a gentle and respectful way. Many of us break into a cold sweat and give what we hope is a 3 step formula for becoming a Christian that we memorised from a leaflet the church gave us years ago. However, we need to be calm and confident that the question was provoked by a real interest, and be prepared to invest time and honesty into the follow up conversation. Also, be ready to listen and learn from the questions and discussion that follows. It may be any number of conversations before the person is ready to make a decision regarding faith in Christ, but each of those can be a nudge forward or a hurdle to overcome on the journey.
Lord Jesus, help me live in a way that provokes questions, and give me the wisdom to respond not with smart answers but with reality and authenticity, to help each enquirer come closer to true faith in you. Amen
Written by Phil Pusey - Burton Youth For Christ
Word on the Web
1 Peter 3 v 13-17
If you are trying hard to do good, no one can really hurt you. But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed.
"Don't be afraid of what they fear; do not dread those things." (Isaiah 8:12-13)
But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed. It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong if that is what God wants.
One of the biggest challenges for many Christians today is talking openly and honestly about their faith. Evangelism has a bad name, from the door-knocking campaigns of last century. Many people live in fear of anyone asking questions relating to their faith. Yet if we live distinctly differently, loving and serving others, surely those questions are inevitable. "Why is it that you live this way?"
Peter encourages us to be ready on every occasion to speak up in a gentle and respectful way. Many of us break into a cold sweat and give what we hope is a 3 step formula for becoming a Christian that we memorised from a leaflet the church gave us years ago. However, we need to be calm and confident that the question was provoked by a real interest, and be prepared to invest time and honesty into the follow up conversation. Also, be ready to listen and learn from the questions and discussion that follows. It may be any number of conversations before the person is ready to make a decision regarding faith in Christ, but each of those can be a nudge forward or a hurdle to overcome on the journey.
Lord Jesus, help me live in a way that provokes questions, and give me the wisdom to respond not with smart answers but with reality and authenticity, to help each enquirer come closer to true faith in you. Amen
Written by Phil Pusey - Burton Youth For Christ
