1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
Shortly after coming to Christ, I was driving down PCH in Southern California and found myself stuck at one of the many red lights, waiting for the arrow to turn green so I could continue to my destination. It was a summer day, and since my car did not have AC, my windows were rolled down. A car pulled up next to me and the driver called out to get my attention. I had never seen him before, and to my knowledge have never seen him since, but what he said to me has stuck with me for more than 25 years.
After getting my attention, he asked if I was a Christian, the “Jesus Loves You” bumper sticker gave me away. I replied that I was, and he then asked how a person could be saved. I was caught off guard, and was not clear on how to articulate the Gospel, so I sat there stunned. As the signal turned green and he sped off, I hollered out “believe in Jesus!” At that point, I determined, I wanted to have an answer for others who were seeking to find the truth about Christ. It would be quite some time before I stumbled across Peter’s words recorded here,
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
Peter explains how we can be ready, when the opportunity arises, to help point someone to Christ. This readiness involves two things. First, we must sanctify the Lord in our hearts. Sanctify means to set apart. Christ must be set apart from all other things to which your heart is attached. It is not enough to simply have Jesus as one of the many things you are devoted to; He does not enter a life and take second place. Remember when He said “You cannot serve two masters”? (Matthew 6:24) Jesus demands and deserves first place in our hearts and lives. He calls for us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to give Him first place in our lives. If we want to affect others for the kingdom of Heaven, it begins by giving Jesus first place in our own life. Perhaps other things have risen to the top, or crowded Jesus out of His rightful place. If that is the case, take a moment right now to recommit yourself to Him.
Second, Peter says, “be ready.” We do this by getting to know the Bible. Paul wrote that we should “Study to show yourself approved to God.” (2 Timothy 2:15) As believers, we are called to become students of Scripture. We do this by taking time daily to read our Bibles. Over the years, I have been amazed at how often the answer someone is seeking, comes right out of the passage I read that morning. Jesus promised us help in this area when He said, the Holy Spirit would remind us of the Words that Christ had spoken (John 14:26).
If someone were to ask you today how to become a Christian are you prepared to give them the Biblical answer?
Pastor Jim
Questions for 1 Peter 3
1. Wives, how can you win over your unbelieving husbands?
2. Chaste conduct; chaste-pure, undefiled and true, conduct or lifestyle. Have you been living this way?
3. What are wives winning by being obedient to the Lord in verses 1-6? Have you thought about how much Jesus loves your husband?
4. Husbands, understanding and honor. Have you treated your wife this way lately? If you are struggling with this concept, verse 7 is very clear. If you do not want your prayers to be hindered, be obedient. God’s word works; trust Him!
5. If someone asked your wife, would she say you treat her with understanding and honor?
6. Not only wives and husbands, but all of you! List the 6 things in verses 8-9 that we should be doing as believers.
7. What command are we given in verse 15?
8. How can you sanctify the Lord in your heart? (Sanctify-to set apart)
9. Where is Jesus now?
Old Testament:
Jeremiah 41- Game Over
Jeremiah 42- Ready, Willing and…
Jim Gallagher 