Day 23 - Hope Bears Testimony

Child of Hope: An Advent Devotional

Monday, December 22, 2008

Hope Bears Testimony

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
I Peter 3:15

Everyone knows that a Scout must “Be prepared!” At one time this meant always carrying a pocket knife with which to perform important duties, like removing stones from horses hooves. Nowadays, however, there are not as many horses in need of assistance, and carrying a pocket knife can get you into lots of trouble. Nevertheless, the advice is still good. To be prepared is to have thought ahead, and to have a plan ready for each and every emergency. Everyone would do well to “Be prepared!”

Peter certainly thought that Christians ought to be prepared. He believed that opportunities were bound to arise in which Christians would be asked to testify to what they believed. Some commentators identify the context of Peter’s words as the persecution of the early Church that swept through the Roman world. In this case, Peter was advising his readers to be ready to make a defense, to counter the arguments of those who wanted to accuse Christians of blasphemy or treason. Other commentators think that Peter is simply refering to conversations that might arise at home or at work. It is as if Peter assumes that Christians will be identifiable by their manner of life, and that others will be curious to know what makes Christians different.

Hope is what makes Christians different. We know that our covenant God has a future in store for us, and that because He has promised it, that future is secure. Since we are assured of our salvation we are at liberty to live without fear, trusting God in all things.

We, also, should be “able to give a reason for the hope that is in us.” This does not mean having a fifteen point sermon available for every occasion; it does mean being able to tell, with gentleness and respect, the story of how Christ claimed us, of how we came to be people of hope.

Prayer for the Day
Awesome God,
our relationship is so personal that, at times,
I have made it a private affair.
I have failed to share with others
how much You mean to me.
Take my trembling lips, Lord, and let them work for You.
For Jesus’ sake.
Amen.