MY ONLY DEFENSE
I Peter 3:15-16
"... 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."
The Greek work translated "defense" is apologia, from which we get the words apology or apologetics. (The discipline of Apologetics is the reasoned argument in justification of an action or belief, not something to apologize for.) The only defense of my faith is that Jesus died and rose again for my salvation. He is my hope, not my goodness. My hope of eternal life is not based in pride of how good I am, but in humility and fear of God. I have nothing to add to what Christ has done. However, the boldness of my witness is affected by my conscience. If I am consciously living in sin, it hinders my ability to speak of a Savior who saves from sin. Living a godly life may cause sinners to be ashamed and cause them to ask about my faith. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation" (Romans 1:16). I am sometimes ashamed of the way I live.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The only justification for my faith is that Jesus died and rose again.
[end]
Have a good-conscience day. Love you.
I Peter 3:15-16
"... 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."
The Greek work translated "defense" is apologia, from which we get the words apology or apologetics. (The discipline of Apologetics is the reasoned argument in justification of an action or belief, not something to apologize for.) The only defense of my faith is that Jesus died and rose again for my salvation. He is my hope, not my goodness. My hope of eternal life is not based in pride of how good I am, but in humility and fear of God. I have nothing to add to what Christ has done. However, the boldness of my witness is affected by my conscience. If I am consciously living in sin, it hinders my ability to speak of a Savior who saves from sin. Living a godly life may cause sinners to be ashamed and cause them to ask about my faith. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation" (Romans 1:16). I am sometimes ashamed of the way I live.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The only justification for my faith is that Jesus died and rose again.
[end]
Have a good-conscience day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment