Listen to Devotion

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.

Remember cramming (studying) for an exam? Trying to somehow embed your resistant memory with all those details written in the textbook or recorded in your class notes? You knew that if you didn’t have a grasp on most of the material, you’d bring home the news of a less-than-desirable test score, or perhaps even a failing grade.

Peter isn’t talking about a test when he says, “Always be prepared to give an answer.” He’s talking about an opportunity! A God-given one! The Lord is bringing into your presence or opening a door to someone who doesn’t know what is yours—hope!

When your unbelieving neighbor sees you living your life for Christ—”letting your light shine”—he or she is puzzled. “What accounts for this obvious joy?” “Where does this generosity of patience and love come from?” “Why are you so filled with hope?” Ah! Opportunity!

This passage addresses the subject of witnessing! Of evangelizing! Of sharing the Good News that has delivered a sure and certain hope to you, but is meant for everyone! And the apostle says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Are you prepared to do so? You may be more prepared than you think! You know what Jesus has done for you. You know why he died on the cross. You know the meaning of his resurrection. You know that eternal life is already yours. You know that he is coming back to judge the living and the dead. You know that those who die in Christ are blessed. And that means you also know that those who die without Jesus have no hope.

“We believe,” Paul wrote the Corinthian Christians. “And therefore speak.” Christian hope needs to find expression. The questions raised by our unbelieving friends need answering. The love of Christ compels us to share our hope with them. They must hear the gospel!

Lord, open my lips to share my hope in you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.