“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence
to everyone who asks you a reason
“To” — Give a clear cut testimony “to” everyone who asks about why we believe what we believe.
“Asks you” — While under duress, some non-Christians will ask Christians why they believe. They want to know about one thing — our “hope.” Hope in the Bible is more than a wish — it is confidence. Our “hope” is our confidence about God and eternity.
The word “reason” in the Greek is our English word “apologetics” (to give a defence of our faith). To give a “reason” is to give a rational account for your claim to Christianity.
Principle:
We need to know why we believe what we believe.
Application:
People take greater interest in our life than in our theology. Personal experience makes a testimony effective.
Is your faith a first hand discovery or a second-hand story? Do you know why you believe what you believe? God does not ask us to preach. He simply asks us to answer with our personal testimony. “This is what I was and this is what the Lord did for me. This is what I am and this is what I am going to be.”
Nothing is as potent as a personal testimony. On the witness stand defending the truth of Christianity, we cannot say, “I believe so and so.” We must give witness to the facts. Our neighbors, the jurors, say, “We don’t care what you think. We want to know what you know. What did you see or hear?” Based on our testimony, they will decide for themselves whether to accept or reject Christ.
In one sense, God is the true judge and our neighbors are the ones on trial. As He conducts court, He gives them a chance to respond to their advocate, Jesus Christ (
1 John 2:1-2 ). We bear witness to Christ. By sharing our personal testimony, we have the privilege of giving non-Christians an opportunity to accept the clemency God has already given them through Christ. If they accept, as we have, His finished work on the cross, they will possess eternal life.Jesus Christ is our “hope.” We have no hope apart from Him.
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