-Displaying Our HOPE

Displaying Our HOPE “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear, having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good manner of life in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:15-16 KJV

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Peter’s admonitions in 1 Peter 3:15-16 are so wholesomely practical, especially when we remember they come from one who knew both success and failure in the Christian pathway. His are truly pastoral epistles, encouraging words from a shepherd who cares for the sheep. In these verses he refers to the suffering meted out to Christians for righteousness’ sake, and that we need not be afraid, for nothing can harm the Lord’s own, as His ears are always open to their prayer.

In the face of misunderstanding and opposition should the Christian then build himself up with a courage that will forcefully drive his way in the world? On the contrary, Peter tells us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Here “fear” means literally “reverence.” Peter tells us to do two things – sanctify God in our hearts, and be ready to give an answer concerning our hope – with an attitude of meekness and reverence.

In today’s world our estimate of a true Christian has become confused. The first requirement of the true believer is to sanctify (set apart) God in his heart. This is basic to a true testimony. We put too much stress on our words. It’s possible to quote volumes of Scripture, but unless God is set apart in our hearts, unless we’re leading godly lives, our testimony will be unfruitful. Our hearts must be clean, our affections purified, our souls cleansed from the pollutions of selfishness and dishonesty, before we can bear His testimony to those around us.

Peter does not say that we are to be ready to tell every man about the hope that is in us. But we should be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks. Perhaps the reason we have to go out of our way so often to tell people about our Christian faith is because they see so little difference between us and unbelievers. If we walk more in conformity to our Lord’s example, those around us would be curious to know what it is that causes a man or woman to lead a godly life. Then they would ask, and we should be ready to answer. Our answer would concern the hope that is within us. Our blessed hope is the beacon that shines with certainty across the darkness of this world. His light in our hearts has created the dynamic to lead lives of devotion and godliness.

Notice also that this bright testimony to the blessed hope is not rendered with the academic reasoning nor self-assertion of a learned theologian, but “with meekness and fear” or reverence. Humility is the primary requirement of a bright testimony. Moreover there should be reverence in the heart towards God.

Then, lest we have any grand ideas as to our Christian testimony, Peter goes on to say: “Having a good conscience, that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good manner of life in Christ” (1 Pet. 3:16). As we contemplate these ideals which Peter puts before us, we are apt to feel very ambitious to shine brightly in the testimony of our Lord. We cannot begin at the top; we must begin with what is basic. A good conscience is the necessary requirement upon which we build the structure of godly living, of bright testimony, or the answer concerning the hope within us.

How do we obtain a good conscience? By doing what is right. Honesty is the first step to successful Christian living. This does not simply mean paying our bills or performing our daily responsibilities. It means following the Lord in a true sense, for He was always honest. When the Pharisees asked, “Who art thou?” He told them (Jn. 8:25). By being like Him we maintain a good conscience.

But what happens when, in spite of all we do, some still speak evil of us? We have God’s assurance that if we continue doing well, those who falsely accuse us will be made ashamed. Here again is the happy assurance that the Lord is on the throne, and those who falsely speak evil of us will eventually be put to shame, and the name of Christ will be upheld. Let us then seek to be practical Christians who display our hope through our conduct.

By Tom Westwood

With permission to publish by: Sam Hadley, Grace & Truth, 210 Chestnut St., Danville, IL., USA. Website: www.gtpress.org

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