Your Hope

Reading from 1 Peter this morning, I came across the familiar passage, which instructs us to "be prepared to give a reason to anyone who asks for the hope that is within you" (3:15).  I have long followed that path for sharing my faith, for people who are asking tend to be listening.  However, it is important to note that sharing your hope is not all the passage asks of us - there is more to this passage.

Let's look at it in its entirety: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 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" (3:15).  Do you see the other two components that serve as bookends to sharing our hope?

First, it is essential in sharing our hope that hope has the sure foundation in which our "hearts revere Christ as Lord."  Just hoping to be saved or being careful to do religious stuff is not a solid foundation for true hope, holding Christ supreme in our heart is.  Our hope is built on our commitment to Christ, whose grace redeems us, not on our personal performance or goodness.

Secondly, hope that is founded in grace must be shared in a grace-filled way, not in an arrogant or hostile way.  Rather than "pinning someone's ears to the wall," we must share "with gentleness and respect."  We cannot share a hope in Christ that is devoid of the Spirit of Christ, who is love incarnate.

So, be prepared to give the reason for the hope within you based on your commitment to Christ with the gentle and respectful Spirit of Christ within you.  Jus' Say'n.