Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed.
Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 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, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered
those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it
is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
(1 Peter 3: 13-17)
After reading this, it left me asking myself a few questions:
-Am I zealous for what is good? Really, am I? The dictionary defines zealous as devoted (it has been tranlated from Greek). Am I devoted for what is good? Do my motives promote good and the wellbeing of others? The Gospel is good, am I zealous for the Gospel to known?
-Do I know what I would say if someone asked me the reason for my hope? Do I live my life as if I have hope? If not, why would anyone even ask me about something that they haven't seen? The Gospel demands a response in our hearts, we are either living in joy of knowing the Gospel, or we have forgotten the Gospel. Knowing Christ can only produce hope and joy, so if we are not living in a way that would draw someone to ask us about why we hope, then we have forgotten Jesus- the very essence of our Joy.
Although there is so much to unfold in this particular scripture, Christ put these few questions on my heart. Especially as the new school year begins, I become weary, exhausted, and almost lazy in my pursuit of Jesus. When I become lazy in my pursuit, I forget why I hope. My prayer is that we cannot make it through the day without remembering the Gospel.
