What is the greatest commandment?
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus that question…
JESUS REPLIED: “ ‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD
WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND
WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND
WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
MATTHEW 22:37
Mind? You mean it isn’t all about the heart? It isn’t all about emotions? We are supposed to know what we believe and why we believe it? Peter says…
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.
1 PETER 3:15
Reason? There are reasons for the hope that we have? We’re supposed to be able to explain those reasons to others? How do we do this? Let’s take a closer look at each of the three sentences in Peter’s message, their distinct differences & how they interrelate to create the final message.
Why, What and How
The first & last sentences are the bookends, so to speak, of the middle sentence, which is the core of the passage. They tell us why we should do what Peter says and how we are to do it. Each of these sentences are essential for successfully carrying out the intent of this passage.
“BUT IN YOUR HEARTS REVERE CHRIST AS LORD.”
Why. This is the prerequisite. You must first have Christ in your heart and revere him as Lord. You must be a Christian and love God.
“ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU TO GIVE THE REASON FOR THE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE.”
What. This is the action we are supposed to take. This is the core. We’ll look closer at this instruction in a moment.
“BUT DO THIS WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT.”
How. This is the method in which the what is carried out. We don’t want to be or come across as pushy, arrogant, conceited, self-righteous, competitive, superior, obnoxious, etc.
The Core
“ALWAYS BE PREPARED
TO GIVE AN ANSWER
TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU
TO GIVE THE REASON
FOR THE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE.”
The middle sentence is the core that describes the action to be taken. No part of this sentence should be left out, because every part of it is critical to understanding the meaning of the entire sentence. Let’s break it down.
ALWAYS -continually, ongoing, without stopping, never finished
BE PREPARED -organize, integrate, make ready
TO GIVE AN ANSWER -explain, instruct, teach, share, articulate, witness
TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS YOU –that seems clear: everyone is a pretty inclusive word!
TO GIVE THE REASON -we live in a rational universe ruled & constructed by cause & effect. Reasons are an explanation of cause and effect. Our thoughts are an integration of these reasons.
FOR THE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE –the truth of God!
What is Peter Saying?
I believe this passage has two parts:
1) You don’t know a subject as well as when you can teach it, therefore continually prepare yourself to explain and present the reasons for the hope that you have. In other words, since the measure of your comprehension of any subject is also the measure of your ability to articulate it (you clearly comprehend what you can clearly articulate), continually add to, organize and integrate your knowledge of God so that your thoughts can clearly articulate the truth of God to others.
2) Our own understanding & comprehension of God’s Truth is deepened & strengthened in the same process that helps bring others to God. We become better disciples while making disciples! We are fulfilling The Great Commission when we articulate the reasons for what we believe.
The bottom line: Know God and make Him known.
What could be more exciting or fulfilling?!
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” MATTHEW 28:19
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