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A Reason for the Hope

by Bobby Graham

The apostle Peter charges the Christian in 1 Peter 3:15: "But sanctify in your heart Christ as Lord, 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." Peter did not say that the Christians should answer every man or every question, for some deserve no answer. He did, however, tells us to be ready always to give that answer.

Every Christian who is on the firing line will be confronted with questions about his hope. Many times he will be asked why he is what he is. On these occasions he must be ready to rise to the forefront to give his reason.

Just any reason will not suffice. The very familiar "because this is what I've been taught" or "this is what Mother believed" do not express Bible reasons. Both of them, in fact, set aside the authority of the text and exalt other authorities. The reasons we give must be able to convince the gainsayer, and only those that the Lord has supplied in His Word can do so.

Every child of God, therefore, must be a student of the book in order that he might become an able apologist or defender of the faith of the gospel. Let us note some other passages that enjoin the same responsibility:

Jude 3 - "contend for the faith"

Philippians 1:17 - "set for the defense of the gospel"

From these we can see that the Christian must be equipped to defend the faith. Only from the Bible itself can we really find the equipment that he needs in this defense. To go elsewhere is to risk faulty or inadequate equipment. Books and articles written by men are always susceptible to human error, whereas "all scripture is given by inspiration of God." Paul's description of the battle armor for the Christian indicates that its every part is either the Word or that which the Word supplies. Well does the song admonish: "Soldiers of Christ arise and put your armor on; Strong in the strength which God supplies, Strong in the strength which God supplies, Through His beloved Son." Let us therefore busy ourselves in a study of the Book.

If we will familiarize ourselves with the Bible, we will have no foe so formidable that we cannot overcome him. We will be able to combat every false idea, to abate every attempt of Satan, and to see through the cunning craftiness and sleight of men whereby they wait to deceive the uninformed and thus unstable soul. After we have familiarized ourselves with the Scriptures, let us apply ourselves to a steadfast use of the Word. In so doing, we can join our hearts and hands in defense of the cause of our king, who once so ably defended ours. Then at the close of day, we can claim the victor's crown and the other rewards that the Lord has promised to those who overcome.

 Other Articles by Bobby Graham
Re-Teaching Old Truth
Me Centered Religion
When Sin Becomes Trivial