Be ready always

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 3
1 Peter 3:14-16 But and if ye suffer for righteousness'sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Peter is helping us to understand that sometimes as Christians we suffer for the sake of righteousness. When you follow Jesus Christ and live a Spirit-filled life, there is suffering involved sometimes. People try to destroy Christians and the message of the gospel.

The Bible here says don't give in to the temptation to fight back and whatever you do, don't suffer as a wrongdoer. In other words, don't be a law-breaker and a criminal. But when you do the will of the Lord and suffer for it, it will give you an opportunity to to do two things.

First, you will have an opportunity to give an answer for the hope that is within you. In other words, you will have an opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers. Do you think God would allow his children to suffer if it opened doors for the gospel to unbelievers? He allowed his Son, Jesus to suffer to pay for our sins.

Second, when you suffer for doing the right thing, it will bring shame upon those who accuse you. When someone falsely accuses your good lifestyle, it will eventually turn upside down. When everyone else would react with anger or fear and you show love and compassion, it shows. Unbelievers will see there is something different about you.

So always be ready. Instead of asking, "Why me?", see suffering as an opportunity. Take the opportunity and share the good news of Jesus every time you get a chance.

In Christ,
Rody