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give an ANSWER

1 Peter 3:15
"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:"

This week we are studying how we want to ANSWER change. We look to the Discple who experienced CHANGE on a level very few of us ever will; Peter. When he writes this Epistle he has some perspective and insight. He has built up his lesson to this point evoking the writing in the Psalms and Jesus's own Sermon on the Mount. In today's verse he gets to the whole point...

"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:"

"But sanctify the Lord God in YOUR HEARTS:"
We need to know and LOVE the Holy Scriptures. Learn the creeds and sing the hymns with gusto! The people Peter is writing to were suffering for their faith. He wants to encourage them to stay the course. To respond with conviction and compassion...

"and be ready always to give an ANSWER to every man that asketh you a reason of the HOPE that is in you"  
Peter is encouraging his readers to stand up for your beliefs. When you stand up for the faith you will stand out and draw attention. Be ready to speak the name of JESUS. Live with conviction for your FAITH in the one TRUE GOD.  Even when you are labeled intolerant. Learn to respect others but know you don't need to share their beliefs. Two things in contradiction with each other can't be true. One is and the other is not. Don't change to fit in. Use the lens of Scripture to interpret the world. Not the lens of the world to interpret Scripture. 
Jesus is Lord. 

"with meekness and fear:"
It's natural to fight back. Peter knew this TOO well. Don't be impulsive. Remember who you are. An EXILE in a hostile world. Meet the world in gladness. Rooted in the wholeness of God. Let the wicked world know us by our love. Show compassion to this hostile culture. Our conviction will be in stark contrast with others and the pressure to fit in with the world will be great; don't give in. Stay faithful and stay apart from the culture. 

The good parts of these daily devotionals are inspired by the sermon at Holy Ghost Lutheran Church in Fredericksburg Texas. You can watch our very special 175th Anniversary worship by following this link... https://youtu.be/aPmsKG7hN40
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