What is the hope that "is in you"? The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1, that faith is the evidence for things we hope for. Our hope is our faith, but what is the reason for our hope? The indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His effect on our lives is the reason we have hope. We see His actions daily. Sometimes we may say something has happened because of luck or happenstance, but that should not be the response of a Christian.
"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; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." 1 Peter 3: 15-16
The Hope That Is In You
It is so sad to be approached by someone who wants to know about God and we have little to say. Imagine someone asking you, "Why should I want to be a Christian?". How would you reply? 1 Peter 3: 15-16 implies that people will see in us a hope in Christ and will want to know why we have it. Do people see hope in you? When the world seems to be falling apart, or we are facing suffering or persecution, what do others see in you? Do they see a calm and quiet hope or do they see someone as fearful and uncertain as they are? We must be ready to give a defense humbly and lovingly, with sanctified hearts.
Fear God
We should be aware that the Holy Spirit wants to work on us to make us more Christ like, to change us, to sanctify us. We sanctify the Lord in our hearts by being aware of His holiness and our lowliness. The Lord promises us that we will be rivers of living water. The blessings of the Holy Spirit are not just for us, but for those around us. We can't truly defend our faith until we are sanctified. When we fear God, we don't need to fear people or what they think of us.
What Has God Done For You?
When someone asks us why we have faith, why we have hope, we should be able to look to the events in our own life, the actions of God, to give them an answer. To be able to do this though we need a good conscience. A conscience that tells us we have, and are, seeking to do God's will. Because if that is not the case, as one Bible commentator once said,
"Consciousness of impurity of life shuts a man's mouth from defending Christian morality."
It can be embarrassing trying to witness to others when they can see the sin in our lives that we have not asked forgiveness for and repented of, so embarrassing that it can "shut a man's mouth".
Meekness and Fear
When we speak to others about our faith, we should not be boastful or proud. We should speak with meekness and humility of the great blessings that knowing Christ has given us. Our humility comes from knowing that God sent His Son to die for us while we were still sinners. We should have fear of the Lord, awe, respect for His power and authority over us and our lives.
When We Aren't Meek
Recently, at a state college, a demonstration was held by "Christians". They were calling on God to send homosexuals a disease. They were saying these things with anger and haughtiness, as if they were no longer in need of forgiveness themselves. This attitude is not of God. Why? Because it was without meekness and fear.
Good Conscience
When we defend our faith and are persecuted for doing so, if our conscience is good, if we know we have been acting rightly; then, even if we are called evil or accused of wrongdoing, our accusers will be ashamed because they will know in their hearts that it is not true. Our conscience is good when we know that we haven't been offensive to others or to God. When we approach people with gentleness and respect we can be bold and confident in defending our faith.
Persecution
Because men "call evil good and good evil" there is no doubt that we will be persecuted for believing and speaking the truth. As I Peter 3 goes on to say in verse 16, that if it is the will of God for me to suffer, it would certainly be better if it was for doing good instead of doing evil.
Love Over All
In 1 Corinthians 13:13 we read that three things always last - faith, hope and love. But of these three things the most important is love. Our faith and our hope are intertwined. One cannot have one without the other, but overarching both of these is love. Our testimony, our defense, must show love or it is no defense. The love that Christ has for us, and the love that we show to others because of this, has to be present. Without love all we are is a "noisy gong or a clanging cymbal".
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