There are two types of people in this world: those who plan and prepare and those who do not. Which category do you fall under? Whether we are planners or not, feeling unprepared is never a good feeling. We have all felt ill-prepared at some points in our lives, but one area we cannot afford to be unprepared in is sharing our faith. After all, Jesus is going to return one day, so we must live in light of this truth that one day, He is coming back for His people. That means being prepared for opportunities to share our faith whenever they come up because when we are prepared, we will be ready to answer questions about faith and point others to Christ.
As we consider Jesus' return, Peter encourages followers of Christ to prepare in advance to share their faith with those around them in 1 Peter 3. First, he writes, “You must worship Christ as the Lord of your life” (verse 15). This worship involves loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. It also involves telling the people around us about Christ so that they can have an opportunity to commit their lives to them. That is why Peter continued writing, “And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (verse 15). In other words, Peter tells us always to be prepared to share our faith here. After all, when we are prepared, we are not caught off guard when opportunities come to share our faith with others. We can be confident and ready to share the hope of Christ with them.
What about you? Are you prepared to share your faith so that you are ready when someone asks you about the difference Christ has made in your life? If not, there is no better time than now to prepare. The world around us is in desperate need of Jesus, so let’s be ready to share the hope of Jesus with anyone who will listen!
1In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over 2 by observing your pure and reverent lives.
3 Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. 4 You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 5 This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. 6 For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.
7 In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. 10 For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life
and see many happy days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 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. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.
19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
