Good morning!
Today is a reflection day – a day to go back over recent Bible readings or to get caught up with your reading schedule.
1 Peter is rich in content. This popular verse caught my eye this morning:
…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)
We always need to be ready to defend our faith. That said, three words here are worth a pause to consider. The first is “hope.” When we are around people who are far away from God, would they see an unusual hope in us? The second is gentleness. I find it easy to feel combative when someone challenges my faith. Do you? And the third is respect. Do we respect people who are deep in their sin, harsh, loveless, blaspheming God?
These words speak into who we are and how we are. I am going to start by putting my hope on display. And when someone asks about that, pray the Lord gives me gentleness and respect.
in Him, Mike