The Questions of Life, Part Two
Today’s Bible Verse:
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect
I was asked recently why I don’t use more direct language to speak to people who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior. “Pastor, they’re all going to hell. Don’t you think you should be more forceful with your rhetoric to scare them?”
Saint Peter wrote about this very question in his first letter. In defending why I believe in Jesus, I must put gentleness and respect before anything. Not only does that make sense from the point of view of how I want all people to respect one another, but it is a direction from our faith in God. Yet being gentle and respectful doesn’t mean ignoring the sin and falsehood of others. To tell the story of Jesus Christ is a blessing. Christians want everyone to come to faith and have the hope and joy we exemplify. Unbelievers don’t get there through attacks and venomous speech. Only by showing Godly love in respect and gentleness does the Spirit take hold.
PRAYERS
Keep in Your Prayers:
Those struggling to make ends meet.
All people dealing with cancer
Those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
A Prayer for Today:
Give me courage, blessed Father, so I can speak Your truth in this world of hurt and pain. Make me a strong advocate of faith in Your Son. In His more holy name do I pray. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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