This week in our Wednesday night Bible class we talked about I Peter 3:15. You know the passage that says; “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have…”
I was always taught that this passage was telling me to always be ready to argue – always be prepared to win a debate as to why my church is right and your church is wrong. It is another sad example of something that I must now add to my ever growing list of “Things that I was taught and believed incorrectly”.
Peter is not telling us to argue or defend. This passage has nothing to do with debate. It is simply about sharing your own personal story. Peter is telling us is to always be ready and willing to tell our God stories – what God has done for us – how Jesus has changed our lives. God wants us to enthusiastically tell others about our encounters with him. It is all about that dreaded “Baptist word” that I was always taught had no place in the real church. The word is testifying.
True believers know that there is no such thing as luck, coincidence, or chance. God is in control - even when we don’t want him to be – even when we don’t recognize it – even when we don’t acknowledge it. He is the conductor and we are his orchestra. He wants others to hear the music that he makes through us.
So, be on the lookout for your God moments. When you discover one, tell someone about it. It will bless you both.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
My heart knows but my head says are you sure??
10 years ago
3 comments:
What this passage means to me is that because of the experiences of the past several I have learned what Gods love really means to me. God does control our lives but not our actions. We will be held accountable some day for those. The Bible has taken on a whole new meaning to me. Trust God. Turn everything over to him and know that he will always take care of you. Our own desires may not be what he wishes or has in store for us. Once I turned everything over to God and trusted in his love my life took on a new meaning. He had already blessed me in a way I never understood. I can now say that when I spread his word, it is about the love he has for each one of us. What a sacrifice he made for each one of us. I have given away more Bibles of my own this year and I have done more preaching (no not preaching) spreading of Gods word and his love. When I achknowledged him, I became a much happier person. Now I truly understand it is not about me. God is the light of my life. Of course having a wonderful family also helps.
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to tell what God has done for me. I think you know.
Peggy
Thanks Peggy,
Your story about keeping your faith throught the tough times could really help a lot of people who are going through the same things.
We love you!
Gary
My struggle with this passage was the fact that no one was asking the questions I was prepared to answer. I was ready to defend the doctrines of the church, but non-believers rarely asked me questions about that. Go figure.
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