Pastor Tim Wardell
“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. Why would we need to give an account for the things that we believe? Because our behavior and example should cause other’s to ask, to want to know. We should always be reading, studying, meditating on, and praying over, the Holy Scriptures then we should apply them to our lives so that the changes in us are evident to those around us. This should never be done in a boisterous or obnoxious way. The last part of the verse says “But do so with gentleness and respect.” There are way too many modern day Pharisees who only want to point out the sins of others while overlooking and not dealing with their own. Jesus never set for us the example of be forceful with the gospel message. So, the question is; are we being used by the Lord to draw others to himself, or are we barriers to them getting to him? As one song so perfectly says, “Jesus friend of sinners the truth’s become so hard to see. The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me.” Salvation is between an individual and the Holy Spirit. Our responsibility is to be faithful in our own lives and allow rivers of living water to flow from us, which should attract others to Christ, not deter them.