"With Gentleness and Respect,"

“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)

In his first epistle, Peter was writing to a group of Christians scattered across Rome and Asia Minor. When I read this verse, it is apparent just how applicable it is today. Often, there are evangelists whose presentation of the gospel is based on hell rather than on Christ alone. It is forceful and argumentative. This is not how hearts are opened to the gospel.

It is also easy to get caught unprepared to give a gospel presentation to an inquisitive unbeliever. This is equally devastating. You cannot even tell me why you believe what you say you believe? This is not how hearts are opened to the gospel.

Do you know how you would answer the unbeliever? Would you tell them of Christ, who He is, what He did, and why He did it? Would it include how He was fully God and fully man so that He could bear the sins of humanity, yet as a God, rise from the dead in an eternal body, not a ghost or spirit, and He proved it to his apostles by letting them touch Him and eating with them. Would you tell them that we are all sinners and that we cannot save ourselves from our sin?

Would you tell them of the longing of the heart when God calls you and the peace of Christ that comes with salvation? Would you tell them there is nothing they need to do, but God would do everything for them? Just ask for God’s help, and God’s grace opens the heart and mind to scripture, and faith is gifted to them. That turning from their sin in repentance is a necessary step in our growth in Christ, who now lives in us. That this free gift is irrevocable, and the righteousness of Christ was imputed or gifted to us, making us righteous before God, our sin debt paid in full by the blood of Christ. Would you finish by telling them all this allows us to be in a relationship with God as adopted children, heirs to the kingdom with Christ? Is this what you would tell them?

Would you tell them with love and gentleness, with encouragement, and hope? If they refused the gospel, would you be respectful and yet ask the question, “This is foolishness, isn't it?” and then, when they agree, plant the last seed, “The apostle Paul said the gospel is foolishness to the perishing.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Are you prepared to follow Peter and the Apostles in spreading the gospel when God places someone in front of you? It need not be daunting, just be prepared. Understand what the gospel is and how you want to explain it to someone with love. You need not seek someone out; God will put the before you. He truly will.

Grace and Peace.