For a CLEAR Gospel Message click on THE GOOD NEWS link belowDefending the Faith II
"...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" --- 1 Pet. 3:15
Last time we looked at a real world example of apologetics. Today we are going to look at the proper way to "make a defense" of your faith. We are told to "sanctify Christ as Lord." This means that Jesus Christ must have priority in our lives. He must be set apart from and have priority over everything else in our life. This is extremely important because if Christ is first in your life, then your life will be filled with the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
We can talk all day long about our faith, but if we are not living it then we are automatically disqualified in the eyes of unbelievers. People with negative volition towards the Word of God are always looking for hypocritical Christians. They reason that if "Joe Christian" believes one thing, then does another, then obviously that which "Joe Christian" believes has no validity. It's the equation if A=B & B=C then A=C. This may be true in mathematics, but we know this is certainly not true when it comes to the Word of God. The vailidity of the Word of God NEVER depends on fallen man's actions. Nevertheless, if we do not "sanctify Christ as Lord" then WE (the ambassador of the Word, not the Word) lose all credibility with whomever we are giving our defense.
"Always ready" is the Greek word hetoimos, which is a military term meaning "to be adequately equipped." In order to be adequately equipped we must plan & prepare beforehand. This requires a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit, knowledge of the Word and application of that knowledge on a moment by moment basis. This is the preparation we need. I'm reminded of a saying that Jon Anderson's father used to tell us when we were kids. Anytime we would try to do something that didn't pan out, usually it was a spur of the moment trip to the ballpark or last minute idea of a spend the night party, he would always sit us down and give us a long speech about why whatever we wanted to do didn't work. He would always end with, "Prior Planning Prevents P(explitive for urine) Poor Performance." I guarantee you Chris Anderson had no idea 15 years ago that I would one day use this saying in a Bible Study! I learned a lot from Chris Anderson!
"To make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you." It is because of the "hope" that we have that we are able to make a defense. Hope in the English language implies something that we would like to true. This is completely different than the Greek word elpis, which we have here. Elpis means an "absolute assurance." It is not a wish, it is a certainty. It is because of this certainty we have in Jesus Christ that we can be bold enough to "give an account for (logos)" our faith.
"Yet with gentleness and reverence..." The word translated here "gentleness" is prautes, which means "power under control." If you have to be gentle with something then you have the ability to completely destroy it, but destruction is not your goal. If our goal is to lead others to Jesus Christ, then we must deal with them in gentleness. Remember, we are just ambassadors, we represent Jesus Christ. Our mission is to show others the love of Christ, our mission is not to try and administer God's justice on those hostile to the Word. All we are called to do is deliver the message, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to do the rest. An ambassador can never take rejection personally, because he rejected on the merit another. All of our work on behalf of Jesus Christ should be done with "gentleness and reverence."
A few verses to ponder & remember when asked to make a defense...
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" --- 1 Cor. 1:20
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." --- Heb. 4:12
Last time we looked at a real world example of apologetics. Today we are going to look at the proper way to "make a defense" of your faith. We are told to "sanctify Christ as Lord." This means that Jesus Christ must have priority in our lives. He must be set apart from and have priority over everything else in our life. This is extremely important because if Christ is first in your life, then your life will be filled with the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
We can talk all day long about our faith, but if we are not living it then we are automatically disqualified in the eyes of unbelievers. People with negative volition towards the Word of God are always looking for hypocritical Christians. They reason that if "Joe Christian" believes one thing, then does another, then obviously that which "Joe Christian" believes has no validity. It's the equation if A=B & B=C then A=C. This may be true in mathematics, but we know this is certainly not true when it comes to the Word of God. The vailidity of the Word of God NEVER depends on fallen man's actions. Nevertheless, if we do not "sanctify Christ as Lord" then WE (the ambassador of the Word, not the Word) lose all credibility with whomever we are giving our defense.
"Always ready" is the Greek word hetoimos, which is a military term meaning "to be adequately equipped." In order to be adequately equipped we must plan & prepare beforehand. This requires a real, personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the filling ministry of the Holy Spirit, knowledge of the Word and application of that knowledge on a moment by moment basis. This is the preparation we need. I'm reminded of a saying that Jon Anderson's father used to tell us when we were kids. Anytime we would try to do something that didn't pan out, usually it was a spur of the moment trip to the ballpark or last minute idea of a spend the night party, he would always sit us down and give us a long speech about why whatever we wanted to do didn't work. He would always end with, "Prior Planning Prevents P(explitive for urine) Poor Performance." I guarantee you Chris Anderson had no idea 15 years ago that I would one day use this saying in a Bible Study! I learned a lot from Chris Anderson!
"To make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you." It is because of the "hope" that we have that we are able to make a defense. Hope in the English language implies something that we would like to true. This is completely different than the Greek word elpis, which we have here. Elpis means an "absolute assurance." It is not a wish, it is a certainty. It is because of this certainty we have in Jesus Christ that we can be bold enough to "give an account for (logos)" our faith.
"Yet with gentleness and reverence..." The word translated here "gentleness" is prautes, which means "power under control." If you have to be gentle with something then you have the ability to completely destroy it, but destruction is not your goal. If our goal is to lead others to Jesus Christ, then we must deal with them in gentleness. Remember, we are just ambassadors, we represent Jesus Christ. Our mission is to show others the love of Christ, our mission is not to try and administer God's justice on those hostile to the Word. All we are called to do is deliver the message, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to do the rest. An ambassador can never take rejection personally, because he rejected on the merit another. All of our work on behalf of Jesus Christ should be done with "gentleness and reverence."
A few verses to ponder & remember when asked to make a defense...
"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" --- 1 Cor. 1:20
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." --- Heb. 4:12
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posted by Bart at 3:12 AM 
1 Comments:
Yes! We all should be ready! Thank you for the encouragement to be ready for any opportunity to stand up for my faith with TRUTH.
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