Ready to Give an Answer:

I Peter 3:15 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; (NASB)

In my previous post, I discussed the importance of doctrine-in addition to the emphasis which should be placed on obedience. This post will somewhat overlap my prior comments. The first epistle of Peter deals a good bit about the sufferings we are likely to experience as a Christian. Any true minister of the gospel will give you the good news along with the bad. We expect as much from our doctors don't we? If there is something gravely wrong that needs correction ,we wouldn't want them to sugarcoat the issue and ignore what otherwise might be a fixable problem. In many cases, the key to medical treatment for illness lies in the arena of early detection. Very few of us would prefer that our physician (after detecting an abnormality that could be treated and eradicated) lie to us and say "there's nothing wrong with you-you're the picture of health"....only to die of that condition months later. For some perhaps this type of ignorance is blissful, but I dare say the majority of us would opt for gentle honesty. Conversely, most people expect the exact opposite from pastors. Although death is certain... "it is appointed unto man once to die...after this the judgement"...many would much rather ignore this fact and go on and die in willful ignorance.

In light of the sufferings of this Christian life, Peter instructs his readers (including us) how we ought to respond to them. I won't go into all of the instructions on dealing with suffering (I would encourage you to read chapter 2 of this epistle which speaks of walking "in His steps") , but I do want to address the notion of giving a "defense" of the gospel. The greek word translated as defense here (in the KJV it is translated "answer") is "Apologia" from which we get our theological term "apologetic(s)". We should not think of this in terms of saying "I'm sorry" but rather giving a sound, reasonable, defense for why we believe as we do. The scripture says we are to do this with gentleness and reverence as opposed to a haughty, confrontational method. I can almost guarantee you that if you confront an agnostic/atheist with a "just the facts ma'am" approach then you are destined to fail. Paul says that the truth must be preached in love (Ephesians 4:15). Also keep in mind that people are rarely convinced by mere human argument (in fact, many are very adept at arguing their own positions and some know the bible better than many Christians unfortunately). Jesus said that it takes a new birth in order to see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). He also very clearly says that "no man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him.." (John 6:44).

Any effort to make a defense without the help of the Holy Spirit is severely limited (at best). If you will remember when Jesus instructed His disciples as to how they should respond when brought before rulers, He did not tell them to get out a Greek lexicon but rather He gave these instructions:

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Of course this is no substitute for being prepared by rightly dividing the word of truth and by careful study of scripture. The Holy Spirit will often bring to our remembrance the things which we have heard and studied from God's word. Being a pastor gives me a unique perspective on these types of things, but I'm often astounded that people in my own church have no idea what they believe and why they believe it (despite hearing numerous sermons and participating in bible studies). In light of the suffering that we are destined and called to receive, being able to think through and intelligently explain the great truths of the faith will bring us (and others) great comfort in times of trouble. As I wrote in earlier articles "do you understand what you're reading?" and "the importance of doctrine", I ask you the question today- are you able to give a defense for your faith with gentleness and reverance?

Blessings in Him,
Henry

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