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Intention

To encourage preparation in the Gospel

Scripture

“Why would anyone harm you if you’re passionate and devoted to pleasing God? But even if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you will have the joyful experience of the blessing of God. And don’t be intimidated or terrified by those who would terrify you. But give reverent honour in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect. Maintain a clean conscience, so that those who slander you for living a pure life in Christ will have to lie about you and will be ashamed because of their slander. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if it is in God’s plan, than for doing evil.”
– 1 Peter 3:13-17 (TPT)

Reflection

The part of the passage above between verses 15B and 16A has been a personal favourite of mine for many years.

“And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect. Maintain a clean conscience, so that those who slander you for living a pure life in Christ will have to lie about you and will be ashamed because of their slander.”

This passage is a clear call to always be prepared. It is a call to be prepared with a Gospel testimony explaining why you are a follower of Jesus.

I encourage you to practise explaining your faith to your friends. You can also encourage them to practise the same with you.

Once we have practised sharing the Gospel in this way, we don’t simply wait for someone out there to ask us the question, “Why do you have this kind of hope living in you?”

In my experience, it is rare that people directly ask me why I have this hope of eternity with Christ. Does that let me off the hook, though?

Not really.

It seems to me that we must be willing to ask leading questions in our conversations — allowing the Holy Spirit to work — so that those with whom we are talking will ask us why we are so happy. This gives us the opportunity to share the Good News.

Here in Australia, this sort of communication is unlikely to bring upon us the kind of suffering and persecution that is present in many other countries. Nevertheless, we still often seem unwilling to show our passion for God in the public square.

We need to always be ready to share the hope we have in Christ.

Video

Prayer

Father,

Forgive us for all the times we have failed to use the opportunities You have given us to speak Life and Hope to hurting people. May we always be ready with a clear, concise testimony.

Dear Holy Spirit,

Empower and embolden us to speak a timely, seasoned word to whomever You send to us.

We declare the Father’s blessing on all of our brothers and sisters around the world who are putting their lives on the line whenever they speak of You.

May their sacrifice bring revival and transformation to their communities.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Author Bio

Rodney Hall grew up in the mid-north of South Australia within a family of faith with a long heritage of Christian service. He loves to worship the One true God and see Him change people, communities and nations. His passion is showing people how Jesus asks us to partner with Him in prayer to release His grace.

Prayer Points for GO20 Good News Sharing Month

1. Pray for five people during May and share the Good News of Jesus with them. Acts 1:8
2. Pray for a Revival and Transformation for our nation, and the proclamation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in Australia. John 3:16
3. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will thrust out labourers into the Gospel harvest. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people around the world this May during GO2020. Mark 16:15

We invite you to support this Prayer Campaign to multiply prayer to see every believer become active in sharing their faith with friends and family. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for Family, Faith, Freedom, Life and the Good News of God’s love through Jesus Christ His Son.

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