Read 1 Peter 3
Confident Faith
15 But in your hearts
set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak
maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander.
PETER writes to encourage the new Christians. They faced
extreme persecutions and sufferings. People also mocked their faith with
insults and ridicule. As Jesus’
followers “set apart Christ as Lord” their faith set them apart from friends,
family and even freedom.
Now let’s consider
another way we are to “set apart Christ as Lord”. Recently someone asked for prayer
as he prepared to spend a week with a group of non-Christian men. He wanted to
be sure he would stay apart from wrong actions. He was also concerned he would
have to give reasons to not participate in questionable activities.
To “set apart Christ
as Lord” means we truly make Jesus the Lord of all we say and do. When people
ask you, “Why don’t you join us?” you can tell them, “I have set apart Jesus in
my heart as my Lord and Savior. I desire to follow him, to know him and to love
him.”
If Christians
shared their Lord in such a gentle and kind way, people would be more likely to
stop and think, “Maybe I’d better check this out.” They’d your good behavior
against their bad behavior, and some would certainly be ashamed.
Set Jesus apart to
guide you through each day, and he will set you apart with a clear conscience.
A Moment’s Thought: Confident faith works to set apart
others in Christ.
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