1st Peter 3:15. “But 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 lieth in you with meekness and fear:” SANCTIFY… BE READY. I will have nothing to say to others If the Lord God said nothing to me. My heart has to be set apart for Him Before I can answer questions carefully. To speak for God means truth from the heart Has to be spoken out responsibly. When I have taken time to take in what He says Then listeners will spiritual things see.
When the Lord is sanctified within – Then there will be evidence of it without. When I can express my hope with meekness I will never have to rant or shout. The respect one has for holy things Can be seen when I am going about My daily routine and the work I do – And what I testify will then have some clout.
I don’t know when an opportunity arises Until I am already in the situation. I won’t have time to review God’s truth When I am already in a conversation. So being ready involves taking time – To learn the doctrines of salvation. That will only really have an effect When I have chosen daily sanctification.
“Lord God, reign in my heart this day. I know when I have listened to Thee and as I speak to Thee now, I pray Thee to help me be ready for what will arise today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
1Peter 3:15. “But 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:” BE READY ALWAYS. I have a question – can you tell me why That lady there seems to let go by, So many things that he says to her? Why - most would never to him defer! He’s asking things unreasonable; And she’s making to him understandable, The value of her saving trust, In the Savior she loves, that he now must, Confess that her faith in the living God, Is so real that he can’t deny there is a Lord; Who rules over the affairs of men, Knowing how and where and when, We live and move and by Him breathe. He knows it’s true because he can see In her, living reality. Her answer – her life is there for him to see – She wins him by her modesty: And then he too believes.
The places we work - at home or school; Where answers are needed as to why we do The things we do and the way we act: These all bring into the open, facts That are unexplained, until an answer is given – “We live our lives for the Lord in heaven.” Our work is for Him in the first place; Then we do our best in this workplace; Where the way we work, how long, how hard; These all reflect on our gracious Lord. It may be at the break, or on the way home; The question is asked of you, “How come...?” And your chance has arrived you have been praying for, And you tell of your hope to him once more. Use your words with respect and meek; They may be used by God for the one you speak, To bring to life and fan the flame; That will bring more glory to His holy name.
Among the believers there always will be, Some with questions for you and for me. Some may seem simple or silly to you, But to a new saint’s desire to know the truth;
The quest to find the answer that’s right, Is a evidence that in them is new life. They deserve some time and some serious thought, So they can be contented with the answer they sought. So take time to pray that “God only wise”, Will give you the light that the questioners prize. It has to be found in the scriptures of truth; So the answer you give has God at its root. When all that we find is then said and done; The answer we give, needs to be the right one. The time may come when the answer you gave; Through them, may be the one that will save The person they answer from sin’s dark night, And bring that soul into God’s clear light.
“O Source of every truth, and Answer to every question: by the work of the Holy Spirit, use these things that I have learned to the benefit of others You bring across my path in life. I believe they have a right to a sensible answer. Help me to give it at the right time. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
The example of unjust suffering is when our Lord "suffered, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." He did that once for all with the objective that our sins which had alienated us from God has been dealt with by our Lord Jesus Christ. He personally has provided and holy and just way that we came come to God and not be afraid of being rejected. That wonderful fact has brought us into a relationship with Him without fear of divine retribution. We have not been just brought to heaven, but unto God Himself. He did this when He suffered in His body when He "bare our sins in His own body on the tree." The Holy Spirit raised that same body on the third day when He was "raised again for our justification."