You could not pay me enough money to go on to a football field with professional players. Even if each player was instructed to avoid me, I know that the chances of me being in the wrong place at the wrong time is too great. I would likely come off battered, bruised, broken, and embarrassed. Why? Because I have no business being in an arena of contact sport in a state of total unpreparedness. Simply put, I am asking to be maimed…or worse!
Evangelism is full-on contact with the demonic forces. If you are NOT “always ready to make a defence to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1Pet.3:15), you are most assuredly in a state of total unpreparedness. Simply put, you are asking to be spiritually maimed… or worse!
Of course, we do not stand by our own strength. Don’t miss this: The day you were baptised (and every day since), you decided to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart” (1Pet.3:15). It is for you that Paul prays: “That out of God’s glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph.3:16-17). It is by God’s power—by His indwelling Holy Spirit—that you are able to ‘sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart’ through faith.
The “Hope within you” is the Christ you have set apart as holy in your heart.“Always being ready to make a defence” is saying with the apostles: ”As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20).It is the Sword of the Spirit, the Bible, that we used to defend the faith. In it the Gospel is preached, so with it, we call the world to the Saving Christ. Without it, you are defenceless. Pick up your sword…!
John Staiger
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