1 Peter 3:15-17
But regard the Lord, the Christ, as holy in your hearts. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that is in you. But speak with gentleness and respect, while maintaining a clear conscience, so that those who attack your good way of life in Christ may be put to shame because they slandered you as evildoers.
Applying God’s Word for today: Consider your reason for hope. Do you have hope?
Have you ever wondered why you feel guilty about something you said to someone, especially if they were rude? Or do you feel ashamed for hurting someone through your actions? Perhaps you’re embarrassed by certain thoughts, aware that they were wrong. Everyone wrestles with their sins, particularly with accepting responsibility for them. We are imperfect beings, not holy, and we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
What should we do? Turn to Jesus. He has credited us with His perfection and suffered for all our sins, taking them into Himself on the cross. Through faith, we recognize God’s love for us and the gifts He provides. In faith, we accept these gifts, and our stained and imperfect record is washed clean by our Savior’s blood. This message is worth sharing with others. Peter reminds us to be always ready to share this good news with everyone we meet. We do so with gentleness and respect, allowing God’s Word to work in their hearts so they, too, will believe. Ultimately, God does not want the death of the wicked but hopes they will come to know and love Him in return for His love.
Hear these words: God loves you and has forgiven you for all your sins!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending us Your holy, innocent Son, through whom You demonstrated Your love for us. We often forget what love truly is, mistaking it for a mere feeling we have for others. May we, through love, accept others at their worst and lift them up, not by condoning their sins but by pointing them to the cross so they may repent. Let us always be prepared to share our hope, Your love, with those around us. We pray that Your Holy Spirit will work in them to ignite their faith and enable them to receive Your gift of eternal life. Amen.
God desires to restore the souls of unbelievers so they can receive His forgiveness and love through faith. The greatest love you can show them is to share the truth about God – He wants you to trust His love for you and longs for you to be with Him in heaven forever.