DO YOU REVERE CHRIST AND TREAT OTHERS WITH GENTLENESS AND RESPECT?

SCRIPTURE:
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared 
to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason 
for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 
keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously 
against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
(1 Peter 3:15-16)

MEDITATION:
The scriptures tell us to ‘revere’ (hold in highest regard) Christ as Lord.
That means we are not to consider anyone (or thing) other than Him as Lord.
Additionally 
we should always be prepared to tell anyone why we believe that He is Lord.
It is our testimony of our faith.

We should know in advance 
how to tell others when we began to believe in Him, and why.
We should be prepared to tell others how He has impacted our lives.
We should be able to tell others 
about our hope when our life on earth has ended.
We should be able tell others how we communicate with the Lord, 
and how we learn more about Him.

Our conversations with others about our relationship with the Lord 
should not be condescending or an attempt to lecture them.
We should gently express our faith 
and provide them the opportunity to ask questions.
A conversation does not consist of one person doing all the talking.

We should have a clear conscience 
that we have treated others in a kindly manner and with respect.
Our efforts are to share our reasons for having faith in the Lord 
and not to convict them that they need to do the same thing 
(that is God’s responsibility).
We are asked to be prepared to share with others and stay out of God’s way.

God has given each of us a special gift called ‘conscience’.
It is like an inner detective that watches our every action 
and calls our attention to every sinful act that we commit.
Every imagination, thought and act 
is held up to our conscience for either censure or approval.

Conscience could be the best argument for the existence of God.
It is God’s voice to the inner person.
Conscience is our wisest counselor and teacher, 
and our most faithful and most patient friend.
We should worry if we ever start feeling the absence of our conscience.

ACTION:
Are you prepared to share your faith with others?
Have you given any thought as to what you would say to them?
We aren’t talking about going around as a pastor or missionary 
(unless that is God’s calling for you).

However all believers are considered to be agents of the Lord 
and are expected to be prepared to share their testimony with others 
when given the opportunity.
This means you should be prepared with what you will say, 
and you should learn to be sensitive to the opportunities you are given.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me salvation with a promise 
to be with You in heaven. I have done so little, but You have done so 
much for me. Help me to reflect on my faith and my relationship with 
You so that I will be prepared to share my testimony with others. Forgive 
me for the times I have failed when given an opportunity to share my faith. 
Impress on me the importance of the impact my words can have on eternity 
for others. Show me the things in my life that contradict my faith in You 
so I can remove them from my life. Help me to be alert to Your promptings 
through the Holy Spirit.”