reason

::: 1 peter 3:15 urges us to always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (esv)...


...like many of you, for years this verse -- written in (and for) the context of early church persecution -- helped me to see the positive value of defending and sharing my faith in a world that still persecutes christian truth and values in various forms...in recent days, i've been thinking about this verse under different light...the result has been greater joy and strength as i seek and obey Him more in every aspect of my life...


...have you paused to consider the scope and implications of the word "anyone" in 3:15?


...i hadn't really...but lately i've been thinking: what if this word includes me?...

• [exeg pt: the english "anyone" or "everyone" is taken from the greek adj "panti" [from "pas"], which is indefinite and to which its adjectival object is implied; with or w/o the article ("o"), no limitation of degree is apparent; bible commentators are not decisive on this point]

...in other words, doesn't this mean that i need to communicate the gospel to myself as much as possible?...this line of thinking, in turn, led me to consider all the times that it was me -- not someone else -- who was looking for (and desperately needed) a reason for the hope that was in me...

• like when temptations to damage my soul or destroy others arise and i face the choice between engaging in a moment of weakness or experiencing a lifestyle of witness...give me the Reason...

• like when competing value systems clash with God's value system and i need to be reminded of the reason for -- and the reality of -- the hope that is in me...give me the Reason...

• like when i'm discouraged in my walk with Him and i've lost sight of the unfading hope (1 peter 1.4) that is in me...give me the Reason...

...we've all been in these situations...maybe you're there now...what i'm realizing as i meditate on 1 peter 3.15 (and its biblical context) is that i need to be prepared to defend the gospel not only to others, but also to myself...not just once in a while, but all the time!!!...

...let's face it, moments of weakness abound...they are all around...especially if you're passive about holiness...big cities, especially, are filled with spiritual landmines...but moments of weakness can be turned -- by God's grace -- into a consistent lifestyle of kingdom witness as you and i remain prepared to make a defense to anyone -- including to YOU -- who asks for a reason for the hope that is in you...

...and here's my encouragement to you (and reminder to myself) to ground your faith in the ancient discipline of scripture memorization...by God's grace, i can testify that as you memorize scripture, the reason you have for the hope that is in you becomes cognitively solid and emotionally sure, far more thirst-quenching for your Soul than the mirage of Sin or the empty mirror of Self...