First Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” Many people stop before the last sentence when reading this verse, and they think they have to know the answers to everything before they can start talking to others about Jesus. But we don't want to miss the importance of that last line!
You have to remember that Jesus is Lord. That means that you need to understand that Jesus wants that person back to himself more than you do. Sometimes, we can start thinking or feeling that we care more about it than he does. But he so desperately wants them to taste the real life of knowing him, but in the process, there's a relationship that needs to be formed.
Paul had a heart for making sure his readers understood that they are called to share this gift of real life that they had been given. The only thing greater than experiencing God's love for us is experiencing God's love through us. So if you have found that Jesus is who he says he is, where he has offered you a life, pulled you out of darkness, and transported you into the kingdom of light, then God wants to use you. He wants to use you so that more people can come out of a life of lies, fakeness, and emptiness and instead, step into hope and real, genuine, transformative, powerful relationships. But it starts with you!
Discussion/Reflection Questions: Who in your life do you most want to experience Jesus and embrace the real life that he has to offer? What steps can you take today to show them the reason for the hope that you have?
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