Be Ready Always to Give an Answer

Hostility seems to be the default today. No matter the
subject, there is an ever-present risk that contrasting
views or conflicting data points will cause the
discussion to devolve into HR reports, cancel culture, or
outright violence. And that’s just talking about gardening
practices. So how do we handle the fear of potential persecution when we are called to share something far
more impactful and controversial, the Great Commission
(Matt. 28:19-20)?

The initial audience of Peter’s first epistle found
themselves asking the same question, though with
much more violent implications on the horizon. In
1 Peter 3:13-15, we see the goal is to
move someone from harming you
(1 Pet. 3:13) to asking you about your faith (1 Pet. 3:15).
In order to accomplish this, Peter gives two imperatives: to
“have no fear” and “sanctify Christ” (1 Pet. 3:14-15). These
commands equally empower and confine our approach to
evangelism. As Jesus tells us in John 14:1, our faith rests in
God. As a child who (without fear) leaps into their father’s
arms, so should our trust be in God. Why? Because those we
fear in this life can do harm only to the body, but afterward
are powerless in hell. (Luke 12:4-5). This absence of fear
ignites our confidence as we begin to see the world as full of
opportunity, rather than danger.

We have the temptation, at times, to take courage a step
too far and become arrogant or bullish. This is the unbridled
enthusiasm that led Peter to cut off Malchus’s right ear (John
18:9). Jesus rebuked Peter’s mishandling of the situation by
healing Malchus (Luke 22:50) and telling him to put his
sword away (Matt. 26:52). Peter learned a valuable lesson
that day: the tools of man (swords) are not the tools of
Christ. Christians ought to be prepared to give a defense with
words and good conduct (1 Pet. 3:15-16). The approaches
oft advocated today typically focus on following trending
bits or on attacking the opponent with false or unverifiable
claims. Unfortunately, for some Christians, the Art of War
(“All warfare is based on deception”) or The Godfather
(“It’s not personal, it’s strictly business”) are more attractive
than Peter’s words. The very nature of Peter’s expectation
in 1 Peter 3:15 is that your actions should distinguish you
from the immoral ethics of the world, not to mirror them.
Instead, personal attacks, “as you wish others would do to
you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:31) Instead of deception, “the
truth shall set you free.” (John 8:32) Instead of viral trends,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16)

By not conforming to the world and by living a life of
holy conduct, we create space and opportunity for our
potential persecutors to become our engaged audience
(1 Pet. 3:13-14). How incredible the experience to see
someone who once threatened you, then turn meekly and respectfully ask you about the hope that is within you. Paul’s
wisdom, both inspired by the Holy Spirit and personal
experiences, teaches us to be ready without fear and with
Christ being sanctified in our hearts. This is done through
having no fear and sanctifying Jesus with gentleness and
respect.

-Josh Moore