Defend with Boldness

If you were asked to defend your faith, would you be able to? If you were asked to tell people why you believe in Jesus, could you answer them clearly and boldly?

1 Peter 3:15- 17 tells us to be ready to defend our faith when needed. To defend your faith means that you can live out what you believe without caring about what people will think of you. It also means you logically understand why you believe in Jesus and can express it boldly. If you can’t really explain why you believe in Jesus, I encourage you to explore it.

It is important to be able to defend your faith because it gives you boldness in what you believe, helps you stay rooted, and also helps when you evangelize to others. If you cannot defend why you believe what you believe, why should you expect others to believe?

Here are three ways you can explore your faith.

First, examine your redemption story. Who preached to you first about Jesus? Were you in school or at work? Or were you born in a Christian home? Did you explore the Bible yourself? What is your salvation story? I tell you the truth: your salvation story doesn’t need to be dramatic; it just has to be a point where you decide wholeheartedly to follow Christ for who he is.

Second, read and study the Bible to understand what Jesus preached about the kingdom of God and what it means to live holy before God. The Bible is the book that Christians read to fellowship with Christ. Take time studying the Bible seriously, as 1 Timothy tells us to study to show ourselves approved a workman who needs not to be ashamed. Reading and studying the Bible gives you the confidence to share the gospel anywhere you find yourself.

Third, understand Christian apologetics. You would be amazed that there are ways beyond the Bible that provide a logical and clear understanding that Jesus was a real person who really died on the cross. Scientists and historians, both Christians and non-Christians, can testify to this truth. Christian apologetics teaches how to defend the Christian faith beyond the Bible or emotional sentiment.

I challenge this week to examine why you believe in Jesus.

Action:

1. Write down your salvation story. Why do you believe in Jesus?

2. Examine whether you are living your life to please Jesus. Repent in the areas you are not and get back in alignment with His will. God is abundant in mercy.

3. Explore Christian apologetics. Check out the book. Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions or the YouTube channel titled Cross Examined

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for saving me and helping me understand who you are. Help me be serious about my relationship with you this year and for the rest of my life. Give me the confidence that I need to believe wholeheartedly in you, and help me defend my faith whenever it is required of me to do so. I pray this in Jesus' name.

Meditate on this Bible Verse:

1 Peter 3:15-17 NIV

But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to answer everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander, for it is better to suffer for doing good than evil if it is God's will.