Devotions

 

The Right Way to Give an Answer

• 1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts set apart 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.

You ever wish you could take back something you said?  Maybe it was an impulsive harsh word or sharp tone of voice.  Maybe you were rude or disrespectful toward an employee, or neighbor, or someone who took the parking spot you wanted.  Maybe you verbally wiped out someone you felt needed to be put in their place.   I heard about a gal that took a CPR class, came out of the class after graduating, had her diploma in hand, and was admiring it when she saw a man face down on the ground.  She burst into action.  She jumped on him and started pounding on his back, then rolled him over and started pounding his chest.  She became exhausted and rolled off of him.  He raised his head and said mam, I appreciate your concern, but you make it awful hard to read a water meter.

We often quote 1 Peter 3:15 but leave off the last phrase.  Peter tells us that we should be ready to tell someone why we have hope.  If someone asks us to explain the joy we have, or the hope we have in Christ we should be ready to explain, but then he says that explanation should be given with gentleness and respect.  The reason the great Apostle mentions those two qualities is because they add to the effectiveness of the gospel.  They display qualities that show that you and I really do believe what we are sharing.   Man are these two encouraging and life changing qualities.  Years ago I was so impressed watching a man named Curt Reeves visit with his mother at the nursing home.  He was cutting up the tiniest pieces of apple with his pocket knife and putting them in her mouth.  She was so appreciative and said to me – Mark, can you believe that he would to that for me?  During VBS we had a man named Karl Galey, a giant of a man leading little kids around, bouncing them on his knee, being that gentle giant they needed.  The world has an abundance of rudeness already without believers piling on.  There is no shortage of put downs, insults, mean spiritedness and hatred.  Let’s share the gospel boldly, but let’s share it with gentleness and respect.