November 5, 2026 -- I Peter 3:15 -- Telling Others
/People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!
…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… I Peter 3:15 ESV
A few days ago, after I taught a group of men in a prison, one of the men, a good friend of mine, confessed he was upset with himself. My friend explained he’d had a conversation with another inmate who was new to that institution. In the conversation there was an opportunity to share a reason for the hope he had in Jesus. He didn’t. Then at the bible study, while I was teaching, my friend noted that man who he didn’t invite was in the bible study. Privately he confessed to me, though he’d been a Christian for a long time, he missed out on inviting the newcomer. However, the newcomer was present at the meeting because someone else, another inmate who is new to the faith, had invited him and explained why it’d be a good idea to join in. It was enough to bring the newcomer to bible study.
I wonder how often we miss such opportunities. How often the moment is right there, but we have not honoured Christ in our hearts as Lord, nor does His holiness direct our living. Whatever it is that grips our hearts, that is what we’ll think about and talk about and will direct our conversation. If you are a sports fanatic you’ll bore anyone who’ll listen to you about the latest victories of your team; or give a defense of why those overpaid, underwhelming performers didn’t win the game. Finances. Presidents. Hobbies. Elections. Video games. The weather. Conspiracy theories. Just about anything will fill our conversations except Him Who truly matters. What is the cure for our fearful, neglectfulness?
Read the word until Jesus fills your vision. You will have to fight yourself on this one.
Pray for the Spirit to lead you into fuller understanding of what you were and now who you are in Christ. Likely you won’t want to. You’ll still be enthralled by a dozen distractions. Set them aside. Put away your phone, your screen, your tablet, and spend time thinking about Who Jesus is to you. Perhaps write it out. Who is Jesus to you.
Memorize scripture. What you fill yourself with will flow out of your mind and your heart and then your lips. Jesus taught, from the overflow of your heart your mouth will speak (Luke 6:45).
Pray for opportunities to witness to Jesus and then also for the gentle respect you need to carry it through so that your listener will not be bowled over but won over.
Confess the laziness of your heart. Confess to God how other people’s opinion of you controls you and contributes to your unwillingness to talk about Jesus. Ask the Spirit to let the holiness of Christ fill your mind and direct your thoughts.
Go ahead. Speak. Practice. Tell others. When there’s opportunity, explain why you go to church. Tell someone at work about the benefits you have seen in your life since you started following Jesus. Explain how you’ve overcome hang-ups, or addiction, or habits through the power of God. People will listen because it is your story. It is true. It is powerful.
Heavenly Father, Your word promises that in Christ You have granted us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Your word promises we’ve escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. By Your Holy Spirit renew in us a vital love focused on King Jesus and a heart so filled with the knowledge of Who He Is, that we are prepared to tell everyone, anyone we meet of His glory. Amen.
https://youtu.be/jcFsxk1EbY4?si=47ui200RGzk5Jv7C
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