“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

To be a witness for Jesus we previously discussed the priority of affection and love for the Lord. Now I want to center on the importance of the answers we give for our hope. The word is “apologia” - literally meaning “a defense of our faith”. We “apologize” when seeking forgiveness - that is an added meaning of the word. Hope comes by trusting in Christ. When Christians are under trial and persecution, their attention is pointed to the future. Christians undergoing persecution look forward to Christ’s return and fulfillment of His promises.           

When Christians were arrested, fellow prisoners took notice because the believers had a hope others did not have. They were asked how they can be joyful, have peace, and be optimistic knowing they will suffer or die. They had an opportunity to point to a world beyond the immediate. They had hope.             

Peter told his readers to plan, be prepared, be aware that you will be asked about your faith. Have an answer ready for everyone. If you let the light of Christ shine, there will be times God will open doors of conversation. Our faith is not just a belief in practices and customs of ancient religion 1,000 years ago. It is a vital and living reality and relationship with Jesus Christ who is alive today.             

Some people look upon religion as a crutch. Some feel they are self-sufficient and able to stand on their own feet. Many think it is all right for weak women and children, but they don't need it. What do you tell such people? Phillip Yancey, when he and others met the Soviet news reporters expected conversations to be full of critical attacks against their faith. Instead, the types of questions asked were "What is forgiveness?” “How can you know God?"

He recounts only one visit when professors at a university verbally attacked the Christian visitors to Russia in 1992. He charged that with recent openness to capitalism they had not seen any improvement. One professor noted capitalism flourished where teenagers were employed by the Russian mafia exploiting foreign tourists. They were the only people with hard cash. Soft-porno magazines sprang up and TV programs from the West were shocking the people. Their daughters were talking about becoming hookers. Their sons were scheming for profits on the black market. Where were the new ethics in this new freedom?

Another Marxist professor stood in anger and said things like "We need not have God to have morality. Why pretend there is a God?” It didn't matter to him if he was the last one in all of Moscow to believe in Marxist philosophy. He shouted, "Marxism had not failed. Yes, Stalin made mistakes. Yes, even our beloved Lenin made mistakes. Perhaps even Marx made some mistakes, but go back to the young Marx and there you will find the purity of the socialist vision. There you will find a morality based on Man with the capital M. That is what we need.  As for Christianity, we have tried that in Russia for 1,000 years. It has failed.” He continued his defense of atheism and Marxism for 15-20 minutes.           

There was great tension in the room. One of the Christian visitors, Kent Hill, rose and spoke in a soft measured tone. He had a Ph. D in Russian studies. He responded, “Freedom of religion includes the freedom for those who do not believe in God." The professors nodded with approval. He told them the issues raised are important. They are of ultimate meaning for humanity and for the universe and one night's discussion would hardly do justice to these issues. He offered to return to the academy with some Christian friends and set up a means to answer these important matters. Then he shared his personal story.           

Dr. Hill told of the times of doubts in his life. He began reading Dostoevsky’s great novel, “The Brothers Karamazov”. He was attracted to the character, Ivan the agnostic who had many good arguments against God. They were powerful, especially concerning the problem of evil. Kent added, “But to my surprise I was eventually won over by the love shown by Ivan's brother, Alyosha. Ivan had a fine argument, but he had no love. He could reason his way to morality, but he could not create the love necessary to fulfill it. I came to believe in Christ because I found in him a source for that love." The meeting was transformed. Kent Hill had done far more than any professors’ arguments. He began with respect for their beliefs and was courtesy and compassionate. He then tried to let them see Jesus in Him.           

A witness just shares what they know or what they have experienced. We grow in our understanding by being consistent learners of the Scriptures. We grow in our relationship with other believers and develop conversations with those who do not know Christ. Most people are not antagonistic about faith issues. They are ignorant of them. If presented in a personal and loving way, God can use your story more than you can imagine.      

The Lordship of Jesus is seen in answers that are guided by His Spirit and spoken in love. Think about how you can give hope for your faith.