Ready, Set, Give!

1 Peter 3:15-17 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 

Do we really stand out and stand apart from the world? Do people easily recognize that we are people of faith? Not just because we speak "Christianese", but because our lives, our actions, attitudes, and deeds, speak louder than words? It is in the midst of persecution and troubling times that we need to strive to live a life that stands apart from the rest of the world. Instead of focusing on "how the world is going sideways", we need to remember that God already warned us that this would happen. We must refrain from reacting in fear and behaving like the unsaved, in our responses and attitudes. We need to see this as an opportunity to let the light of Jesus shine even brighter through us. The darker this world gets, the brighter His light should shine. He has chosen us to be the ones to put His light on display during these trying times. This ought to cause the world to wonder, especially in the midst of persecution and hard times, why we are able to maintain a life of peace, joy, and tranquility. In turn, this will give us plenty of opportunities to give an answer, or defense, to everyone who asks, for why we have hope in the midst of hopeless times. Are we ready to give that answer? Does our life reflect such a difference from the "norm" of this world that it sparks curiosity in the hearts of the onlookers? Because if it does, the Lord will certainly open doors of opportunity for us to share our faith. So...ready, set, give! Give what, you ask? A reason for our hope; that's what.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).