Ready With A Reason
Ready With A Reason
Monday
"Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you." And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished."
— Acts 22:1-5 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
— 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
— Acts 22:1-5 (ESV)
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
— 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
Reflection:
A mob had just beaten this man, yet when he got the chance to speak, he didn't argue or retaliate. He told his story in the language his listeners loved. The word "defense" in both passages is the same idea: a calm, reasoned account of what God has done. You don't need a degree to give one. You need a heart where Christ is honored as Lord, and a willingness to speak plainly. Notice too that he was honest about his past without wallowing in it. God doesn't ask you to hide where you came from, and He doesn't ask you to live there either.
A mob had just beaten this man, yet when he got the chance to speak, he didn't argue or retaliate. He told his story in the language his listeners loved. The word "defense" in both passages is the same idea: a calm, reasoned account of what God has done. You don't need a degree to give one. You need a heart where Christ is honored as Lord, and a willingness to speak plainly. Notice too that he was honest about his past without wallowing in it. God doesn't ask you to hide where you came from, and He doesn't ask you to live there either.
Consider:
If someone asked you today, "Why do you follow Jesus?" what would you say in two or three sentences?
If someone asked you today, "Why do you follow Jesus?" what would you say in two or three sentences?
Pray:
Lord, make me ready to speak of the hope You've given me, with gentleness and respect.
Lord, make me ready to speak of the hope You've given me, with gentleness and respect.
Posted in Experiencing God - Acts 21:37-22:22
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