1 Peter 4:15 "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". This verse came to my phone this morning as part of a group I'm in. Each day we receive a verse from the Bible, to remind us, in tiny segments, of who we are, and who we need to be as God's children.
Now I've heard this verse many times in my past - often with the word "defence" used instead of "reason". It tends to give a more militant interpretation than the word "reason" does. And I've seen that taken literally, with "Christian" people arrogantly and vehemently defending their spiritual positions - particularly on social media where things are often said in a manner that would never be used face to face.
Somehow, I think they've missed the second part of the verse... "but do this with gentleness and respect...". Another version uses the words "meekness and fear". When we openly take on the name of "Christian", we become the face of God that people see! How we behave towards them can be significantly important in how they ultimately respond towards God!! That is not something to deal with lightly!
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