The Question and the Answer

August 26, 2019

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. 1 Peter 3:15

What does a heart and life where Jesus is revered as Lord look like? A lord is someone with authority, control, or power over others; to say that someone is “lord” is to consider that person a master or ruler of some kind. When we acknowledge that “Jesus is Lord,” we commit to obey Him. Jesus asked, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” Luke 6:46. An acknowledgement of Jesus’ lordship is logically accompanied by a submission to Jesus’ authority. If Jesus is Lord, then He owns us; He has the right to tell us what to do.

A person who reveres Jesus Christ as Lord is someone whose thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors (the environment and tenor of their lives) reflect His character and priorities. That is so different from the average person’s life that our lives become a billboard advertising the difference. That prompts questions from observers. What are those questions?

Peter doesn’t say they will ask about our faith. Or about our doctrine. Or even about our good behavior. They might. But our goal is that they will ask about our hope. Why? Well, first, very few people are impressed with the life of a person who simply avoids bad behaviors. What you don’t do is not your best advertisement. The joy-filled, confident hope of a follower of Jesus Christ is magnetic in a world where hope is in short supply. The hope a person has who sees the resurrected Jesus Christ as the director and authority in his or her life—well, that hope is fascinating, attractive, compelling. They have resilience, confidence, and poise in a world where there is fear and discouragement, and purposeful living is in short supply. They see the future as under the direction of a loving, powerful Lord, not just random.

So, they ask questions, perhaps tentatively, perhaps direct, to discover what makes us different, what makes us buoyant despite storms and difficulties. We are told to be ready to share what makes us different, and to share it with “gentleness and respect” (v. 16). This is not an opportunity for you to preach or be pushy, it’s an opportunity to share your story and how Jesus is THE difference for you.

  • Whose life prompted questions in you? Contact them and thank them.
  • Who do you think might be watching you right now? Where might they be observing your hope?
  • Pray for them and for you to make the right connection at the right time.
  • Ask God to help you consistently make your hope evident.