When and How Should You Share Your Faith?


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 2 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

 As we mentioned yesterday, the Christians this letter was written to were suffering persecution for their newfound faith, most likely from Roman emperor.  Though being persecuted was not desirable, the letter urges the believers to use the situation to share the hope they have in Christ.  The temptation for these new Christians would have been to shrink away in fear or retaliate.  The writer tells them not to repay evil with evil, but evil with good, thus showing themselves to be true believers.  This would also give them a chance to testify to their beliefs.  

 Paul gives them some guidelines for how to share their faith.  Number one, the word "answer" means apology, or cogent explanation of what they believe.  Christians should be able to articulate why the believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. This might be summarized by sharing the claims Jesus made about himself. (He was the Son of God, the Mesisiah) How he fulfilled these claims? Primarily through the resurrection. And finally how has accepting and believing in Jesus changed your life?  I.e. How is Jesus true for you.  

 Finally, he says to do so with "gentleness and respect".  This is very important and lacking in our society today.  Whether it is people talking about politics or religion their is a lack of civil discourse about things that matter.  Christians should be leaders in expressing and articulating ideas with gentleness and respect, not vitriol and anger.  

 I believe there are many opportunities that come before us to share the hope we have within us, not necessarily just when being persecuted.  Keep your eyes open especially at Christmas time to talk about why you believe Jesus. How he was born.  How he died. And how he raised from the dead.  After that is it the Holy Spirit that takes the Good News and changes human hearts!

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