COV LIFE BLOG

Acts 5, 8, 11, & 13 – Gospel Renewal

Opportunities abound for sharing our faith. Things are happening all around us that cause people to ask religious questions.
 
Religion becomes news because of religious wars in the Middle East, a political leader makes a statement about their faith, or a sports personality makes it known that they are a thoughtful follower of Jesus. It happens every day in myriad situations. But often, followers of Jesus are silent.
 
Look at the practical and good instruction 1 Peter 3:15 gives us toward this end: He tells us to be prepared. That means to have both mind and heart ready to share.
 
This is more than just thinking though the gospel message so that we can say it in our own words—which all Christians should be able to do; it means that when you see that evangelistic opportunity coming your way, you don’t duck out. Your heart is ready.
 
Not only does Peter tell us to be prepared, he notes that our message is for anyone: we remember the gospel is a universal message for all time in all places to all people. And it’s a message that we must be ready to defend; we are right to sweep away arguments that attempt tear down the truth of Jesus. Our faith in Jesus is a reasonable faith, Peter is saying. We don’t kiss our brains goodbye when we follow Christ.
 
But we don’t stop there. We have what the world needs. We have hope! Gospel hope is good news! In fact, if we don’t tell people about the hope we have then we aren’t sharing the gospel—we may be doing other things that are very, very good but we’re not evangelizing unless we tell people about the hope within.
 
And then Peter tells us the framework of our evangelistic attitude concerning our approach to people. We share with gentleness and respect—we have this aim in evangelism to persuade, not beat down; we understand that harsh answers and demeaning victories is no victory for the gospel. As Paul says, we want to persuade (2 Cor. 5:11).
 
And finally, we remember boldness. Notice the context for Peter’s command to evangelism: 1 Peter 3:15 is a bracketed between instructions about suffering for our faith when we share the gospel. This text is really a call to evangelistic boldness in the face of opposition, even hostile opposition.
 
So, be ready for the opportunities that are bound to come your way. Make a defense for our hope, the hope of the gospel, with the aim to persuade.

J. Mack Stiles

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read 2 Corinthians 5:11-21. What do these verses have to teach us about who we are as Christians? How well does this passage reflect your actual life? Where do you stand to grow?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
All I Have Is Christ by Jordan Kauflin