When I was young (about six or so) I remember one specific event that happened during our home bible study. I, pretending to use the bathroom, got a hold of my dad’s emergency kit from work. This kit was not like any kit that you buy out of your local Walmart or Target. It had small vials of different liquids all different in color. I being the curious kid that I was, decided that I would take one of the vials and chomp down on it. Now why in the world would I do anything like that? I have no idea. But I would soon regret it. The glass vial broke in my mouth. My lips and tongue burned like the fires of hell.I bit down on a glass of smelling salts or in other terms diluted Ammonia. I screamed and immediately bible study was over. We never went back to home bible study after that. Bible study in the home moved to Sunday School at church. I think about that event and how I could have damaged my vocal cords or swallowed glass. But none of that happened. I stand 30 years later with the ability to talk and sing.
This experience and many others have shaped my reason for believing the Word Of God. So many ” almost did not make it” and ” you got me through it” moments solidified my faith. Has it all been great? Do I understand everything that is going on at the time when things are happening? No. In some areas, I am still waiting on revelation as to why certain things happened. But my experience is one reason that helps to fill the gaps of uncertainty. When confronted with the question of “Why do I believe.?” I start with my experience.I have a knack for meeting good people who don’t believe. I listen to them give many arguments on why I should not. Other religious practices, a history of the misuse and abuse of the Word of God have all been arguments told to me. But my experience is one no one can refute.
If we are not careful, these arguments can sway us to believe something that may have us on the wrong side of right. 1 Peter 3:15 states the following :
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
– KJV
Peter, the rock on which Jesus builds his church, admonished believers to do two things
- Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts
- Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
You cannot give a sincere reason to believe and have faith in something that you have not set apart (sanctify, consecrate) in your heart as true. If there are questions you have about the validity of the Word of God and his Son Jesus Christ, this item would have to be resolved before you are ready to give an answer. It would be a time to ask God to reveal to you his presence and to seek him in prayer. Also if you have a trusted friend that is knowledgeable in the Word of God, pray with them. Ask them to cover you in prayer and scripture.
The second part of the instructions states to be ready to give an answer to any man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. In other words “If you stay ready, you won’t have to get ready !”. In order to give an answer to anyone who asks, you have to be on a firm foundation of what you believe and confident in what you believe. Sharing your experience is a great way to build confidence in your faith. In Revelations(12:11), it says that the saints have overcome by the words of their testimony. They overcome by sharing their experience. No one can refute your experience. Peter not only gave us what to be ready for but how to do it. He says we should present our reason with meekness and fear. Meekness in the greek is the word prautés (prah-oo’-tace). It means mildness and gentleness. Fear in this verse translates in the greek to mean reverence. I will admit that at first, I thought to myself ” Does he mean to be scared of the person?”. Upon research, I found that in this case it simply means to respect or to reverence. We should be able to share our reasons for believing without demeaning the other person. The goal in all of this is to assist in helping people come to the Holy Father through Jesus Christ. We can’t have a hint of arrogance, bad attitudes or a know it all disposition affect what the Holy Father may be trying to reveal to the person at the time.
In the coming weeks, we will discuss more on 1 Peter 3:15 and what it means to our lives and others. This is only the foundation of being solid in your faith and belief in the Word of God and his son Jesus Christ. Before I go. I would like to pray for all who may be questioning their faith or don’t believe at all and are searching.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are awesome! You are amazing. I thank you for your grace mercy and most of all your love. You loved us so much that you sent your Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins so that we may live with you forever in your kingdom. Father, I thank you for the opportunity that you have given me to share the revelation of 1 Peter 3:15. I ask God that if there is anyone reading this and is struggling in their faith that you would strengthen them. Lord, I pray that you would reveal your presence to them so that they may solidify the foundation in their faith and sanctify you in their hearts. Send people after your heart to lift them up in prayer. Lord, I also pray for the ones that do not know you and have not accepted your son Jesus Christ in their life but they are searching for something to fill the void in their life. I ask that you would touch their hearts so that they may be saved. I pray these things in your son Jesus name
Amen.
If you need to reach out to us here at To Reach the One email us at toreachtheone@gmail.com
God Bless
L
To Reach The One 
I like your post and your title. We have all answers, but we must be calm and we must let our thought to finish its path to the end.And at the end is an answer
Hi Ben! Welcome to the blog. I am glad that you like the post. When confronted with the question why you believe, it is important that we do stay calm and resepct the individual that is asking. Many times they are asking to gain understanding. Some questions that are asked do require that we pause and take a minute to think the question through before answering.