Be ready to say why you believe

Read 1 Peter 3:15

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Jesus promised that in hostile situations he will give us the words to say (Lk.12:11-12; 21:12-15). Because he’s our Lord we can trust him for that. Our part, then, is always to be ready to speak up for him. Opposition gives us the opportunity to answer questions about our faith which indifference may never ask – see Acts 22:1 where Paul says to a baying mob, “Listen to my defence”.

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His word defence translates apologia which is the same word here translated reason (also in Ph.1:7,16; 2 Tim.4:16). Our English word apology comes from it but in Greek there is no hint of apologising! Rather, it’s the giving of a robust explanation for “the hope you have”. Once again hope is used to sum up Christian faith (1:3,13,21). It’s unseen but certain (Heb.6:19) – we’re sure that Jesus is Lord of all and that we are his people forever..

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Such a hope is not easy to explain! Which is why we’re tempted to keep it to ourselves rather than risk being mocked. Opposition removes that comfortable hiding place, and there will be other situations when we will be asked why we believe in Jesus. We don’t need to know all the answers, but we do need to be ready simply to tell our story of why we are Christians.