Attitude

"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)

As I have been reading, praying and pondering this morning, I saw this verse come up as the verse of the day on Youversion.  What a great reminder not only to place the Holiness of Jesus in your hearts and minds.  But also for us to be growing in wisdom.

Wisdom is more than knowledge, it is knowledge applied and contained within an attitude of humility.  We are not to be prepared to make a defense with prideful war drums.  rather a defense with respect and a gentle spirit.  This passage is about how we respond to those who question us about the Hope we live with and express.  This Hope is found in Jesus and His completed work on the Cross.

So when a non-Christian inquires about what you believe, even if they are antagonistic we are not to join in that type of attitude.  Instead we are to gently and humbly present Truth.  This can be difficult but we should strive for it.

The bigger challenge for us I think is that we need to employ the same attitude within Christianity as well.  We need to grow and practice this with each other.  Often we as Christians have a tendency to be harsh with each other when we are questioned about something we believe.  Yet if we  are  to respond in this attitude of gentleness and respect to those who do not know Christ, then how should we respond to others that have Jesus as their Lord?  

We are to treat each other better than we treat non-believers.  We are to love one another with a humble heart as it honors God and is a testimony to others.  So I would ask you to take up this challenge with me.  Let's strive to treat one another with healthy respect and a gentle spirit.  Let's not be harsh with one another.  Let's stay away from attempts at humor at a brother or sister's expense.  Sure we will have differences and we want to laugh but let's not hurt each other in the process.

Remember that as a Christian Jesus resides in us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The same Lord and Master for us all.  Let's not mis-treat His servants, His Children.

Let us walk together!

Pastor Bruce