A READY ANSWER FOR HOPE

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; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil-doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

At some time in life, every Christian will be asked questions similar to this. "What do you hope to gain from attending the church of Christ ...or, living a Christian life?" How will you answer them? Here, Peter tells us, to be ready to give an answer ...of the hope that is in you.

One answer could be, I hope to gain eternal life. Although referred to many other passages, Paul, in his letter to Titus, tells us this Christian hope is for eternal life,whichwas promised by God, before the world began (Titus 1:2). Jesus confirms this when he says, That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:15). Another answer could be, I hope to gain comfort and stability in life on earth. The writer of Hebrews tells us, that in this hope, we have a strong consolation...an anchor of the soul, that is both sure and steadfast (Hebrews 6:18-19). A Christian, then, hopes to gain a good life while here on earth but a better life - an eternal life, in heaven.

Many texts in the bible warn that we may suffer due to criticism, being ostracized, or made to suffer physical and mental abuse, by non-Christians of the world, simply because of our Christian beliefs and practices we use in carrying out the will of God. Verse 14, of our lesson text, confirms this, but also tells us that we should be happy if so persecuted. It is not that we enjoy being punished or berated, but that we know we are in the right, and are demonstrating our obedience to God. Persecution by others can be very upsetting and disturbing. It can be considered, in many instances, acts of terror. However, Peter tells us that we are not to be afraid or troubled by such terror. God is the protector of His children. His Son, Jesus Christ tells us, Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:10). He also, tells us, And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matt. 10:28). Although persecution may result in death to the physical body, it can never kill the soul. It is the soul of Christians that inherits eternal life. Happy are they that understand this teaching, believe it, become a Christian as required by God, and live an obedient life, in order to attain it.

According to verse 16, the happiness of a Christian comes when one has a good conscience knowing that their conduct in Christ is good - that they demonstrate to the world Christian characteristics in their manner of life. Even those that speak evil of you, may, by your Christian conduct, realize that they misunderstood your righteous life, recognize your hope of salvation in Christ, desire it for themselves, and ultimately, accept Jesus as their own personal Savior, in order to obtain this same hope.

What if, through word or deed, you convince another to desire this hope that is in you? Once this reason for your hope is understood by another, their next question may be, "How may I also obtain this hope?" Are you ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh this question? You may suggest that they look to the bible for answers. In its pages, they will find many references to answer all questions that pertain to God's plan of salvation. The following are but a few.

To begin with, the hope of salvation is found only in our Savior, Jesus Christ. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him (Rom. 5:8-9). Also, Luke writes, in Acts 4:12, this about salvation through Christ:Neither is there salvation in any other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Therefore, one must be "in Christ" to be saved.

The obvious question now, is "How do I get into Christ in order to be saved?" Are you ready to give an answer? Again, one needs only to look into the bible for answers. Remember, this is not your plan of salvation, it is God's plan, and it is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior. Therefore, God's inspired word, the Bible, will tell us all of the steps needed to become a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, through whom we have the hope of salvation.

1. It is necessary to hear God's word. This can be accomplished by reading God's word for yourself, having it explained to you by a teacher or preacher of the gospel, or a combination of both. The following quotation tells us that it is essential. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher (Rom. 10:14)?

2. It is necessary to believe God's word as well as believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, the Son of God. The scripture used above regarding hearing the word of God, also teaches that one must also believe Jesus is the Messiah, our Savior. Ephesians 1:13, teaches that one must both hear the word of God and believe its message of salvation: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.

3. It is necessary to repent of one's past sins. Just as the Jews gathered at the temple in Jerusalem were told by Peter to repent, the same teaching applies today to all that accept Jesus as their Savior. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out (Acts 3:19a).

4. It is necessary to confess Jesus as the Son of God. For a scriptural lesson telling us of the need for this step toward becoming a Christian, we need look no further than the example of the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. After Philip, using an Old Testament scripture, taught him God's plan of salvation, the eunuch responded with this question, what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Acts 8:36-37). This confession made by the Ethiopian eunuch, is the same confession all should make before being baptized into the body of Christ.

5. Baptism is also a necessary step to gain the hope of eternal salvation. It is necessary for the remission of sins, and it is necessary in order to be added to the church of Christ by God. There are many examples of baptism in the bible to support this requirement for salvation. Here are but a few. It was required by Christ as he instructed His apostles to Go ...and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19). How is one baptized? By immersion into water. The example of Philip baptizing the eunuch tells us that they both went down into the water, the eunuch was baptized, and they came up out of the water (Acts 8:38-39). Paul, speaking of his own conversion, tells us why baptism is necessary. Paul obeyed this instruction by Ananias, a messenger of God, ...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

6. It is necessary to live a life of obedience to God, and His Son, Jesus Christ. When confronted by Jewish religious leaders, ...Peter, and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Our source of instructions for obedience is found in the bible - God's word. Men that teach "another gospel" should not be heeded or followed. In God's plan of salvation, Jesus Christ is our High Priest - our spiritual guide and intercessor. Having carried out God's plan through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, Jesus ...became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Heb. 5:8-10).

There are many duties and responsibilities that make up obedience to God and His Son, Jesus Christ. One, found in the lesson text is, 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. Are you ready?