I watched as my younger son, Jacob, twisted an apple stem to the sing-song cadence of the alphabet. As he approached the letter of his wife’s first name, he gave an extra yank and proclaimed triumphantly, “V for Valentina!” If there’d been a clover or a daisy, he would have split the last petal to ensure, “She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me.” They will celebrate their first wedding anniversary next week. He is confident in her love and he adores her. It’s captivating to watch. If you asked him how he knows she loves him, he’d have a ready response. Likewise, we as children of God through faith in Christ are admonished by Peter, outspoken Christ-follower, to be prepared to defend our faith.
“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
1 Peter 3:15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.3.15.NLT
Peter is said to have been martyred for his bold defense of Christ as Lord, but he wasn’t always prepared. Even after Jesus’s warning that Peter would deny Him three times, the rooster’s crow and the Savior’s glance proved that his words on the night before the crucifixion were only bravado. (Luke 22:61-62) It appears that this impulsive follower of Christ heeded the Lord’s final command to “feed My sheep,” (John 21:15-19) because he preached in the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and went to his death defending his Lord.
The substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus on his behalf was not lost on him, nor was it lost on the apostle Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, (I Timothy 1:15) saying,
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.2.20.NLT
The one who persecuted Christians in defense of the law of Moses was confronted on the Damascus road by Jesus Himself before becoming the first Christian missionary. (Acts 26:16-18) Because a few fisherman and a Pharisee believed the Living Word, we have the bulk of the New Testament so that we might also believe.
The apostles and prophets spoke the very words of God as those “carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (II Peter 1:21) The Holy Spirit still moves and speaks. “The word of God is alive and active.” (Hebrews 4:12) Our God longs to communicate with His children through His Word, His Spirit, and His Son.
The final command of Jesus to His disciples still stands. “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15)
Jesus included the promise of the right words for every occasion. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”
Luke 12:11-12 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.12.11-12.NIV
“On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
Matthew 10:18-20 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.10.18-20.NIV
“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
John 14:26 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.14.26.NLT
Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so.
It’s so simple, even a small child can grasp this truth, yet highly educated adults struggle with knowing and yielding to the love of God found in Jesus Christ.
“I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes my messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”
John 13:16-17, 20 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.13.16-20.NLT
“Do you think I speak this strongly in order to manipulate crowds? Or curry favor with God? Or get popular applause? If my goal was popularity, I wouldn’t bother being Christ’s slave. Know this—I am most emphatic here, friends—this great Message I delivered to you is not mere human optimism. I didn’t receive it through the traditions, and I wasn’t taught it in some school. I got it straight from God, received the Message directly from Jesus Christ.”
Galatians 1:10-12 MSG
https://www.bible.com/97/gal.1.10-12.msg
“He must increase. I must decrease.” ~John the Baptist
I am crucified with Christ. I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me. Jesus said it and I believe it. Until He comes again or calls me home, I’m secure in His love.
A Fitting Reply 