Putting Faith into Words (1 Peter 3:13-16)

"Does Anybody Hear Her" written by Mark Hall

She is running ... a hundred miles an hour in the wrong direction
She is trying ... but the canyon's ever widening in the depths of her cold heart
So she sets out on another misadventure just to find ...
She's another two years older, and she's three more steps behind

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today?
Under the shadow of our steeple
With all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

She is yearning ... for shelter and affection that she never found at home
She is searching ... for a hero to ride in, to ride in and save the day
And in walks her prince charming, and he knows just what to say
Momentary lapse of reason, and she gives herself away

If judgement looms under every steeple, if lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter, and we never even met her

Putting Faith into Words (1 Peter 3:13-16)

1. The Biblical Obligation (1 Peter 3:15b - 16a)

“Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). What a challenge! Let’s have a good look at this verse to see what it is expecting of us.

· “... an accounting for the hope ...” – Those of us who have received Jesus as their Saviour and Lord and are seeking to follow him every day, should carry with us a “hope” that is beyond or surpasses what would normally be possible and expected through the rigours of daily human life. This “hope” is based on our personal experience of Jesus, and the forgiveness, new life, peace, purpose and eternal promises that he has brought into our lives. And this should show out ... like switching on a bright light in a dark room! And this should bring us questions ... questions that deserve answers. People will want a reason, they will want to know why and how we seem to be coping despite living in the same complex environment that they do. The context of this verse and the passage we have read from 1 Peter, involves the suffering and severe trials being encountered by the early believers for being on the cause of Jesus. So certainly this verse is about explaining the source of our “hope” that shines out in the midst of great difficulty. This is a hope that should be very attractive, even though it might be a little difficult to understand.

· “... that is in you” – And as this verse concludes, we see that this is not just a passing or inconsistent “hope”, but rather a “hope” that has thoroughly become a part of us ... it is “in” us ... part of who we are now! So we are very liable to get questions, because we consistently are able to express “hope”, even in the worst of situations. You might think this is unreal, too high a standard, ‘pie in the sky’ type stuff ... we couldn’t really live that well!?! Well, I’m sorry to tell you that this is exactly what we are called to be when we receive Jesus = a credible witness to the reality of Jesus. The cross of suffering on which Jesus died, lest we waste it, is to so thoroughly transform us that we are obviously and publicly on a new journey of “hope” (with Jesus as our guide).

· “Always be ready ...” – And as this verse commences, giving an account or testimony of the “hope” within us is not just to be given at our convenience, but rather whenever and wherever it is called upon and needed. We always have to be ready with our story of faith. As Larry Richards puts it, we should be ready to explain our positive outlook to those who are shocked that we haven’t yet crumbled.

· “... to make your defense to anyone” – And as the verse continues, we also cannot be selective about who we share our story with ... our witness to the “hope” contained in Jesus should be available for everyone we come into contact with. So, yes; this is a very impacting scripture ... possibly easy just to read past quickly, but once we slow it down, the depth of this verse really hits us!

· “... who demands from you” – The use of the word translated “demands” is interesting, for we would usually and rightly be resistant to “demands” made upon us in aggressive and persistent ways. Yet the use of this word tends to suggest the seriousness of people’s need, especially when they start to detect a way out for themselves ... a way out of the drudgery or slavery or addiction they find themselves in. Some people will really want to know ... it may not appear that way at times ... but it’s better and more healthy for us to be positive about people’s openness to the gospel message.

However when the request for our testimony comes, the bible here goes on to say that we should share with “gentleness” and “reverence”. I would suggest that this “gentleness” means that we come from a base position of humility, acknowledging that we too are only human and fallible ... ‘there but by the grace of God I go’ ... it’s just that we have had the opportunity to open our lives to God (and we have gained much from that); whereas, increasingly so, many have not had that advantage. Being “gentle” may also mean progressing with little ‘stepping-stones’ over time, and being patient while God prepares for the next little development. We shouldn’t push too hard or force our own will on anyone; only move at the pace the other person is able to go at. We should also factor in the possibility that God is also raising up other people of faith to share with this same person (and thus it all doesn’t depend on us).

This “reverence” would indicate a level of ‘courtesy’ and ‘respect’ for the person we’re speaking with including the background they come from; and also a proper ‘honouring’ of God ... not misrepresenting the nature of God in any way. We also shouldn’t put our little ‘hobby-horses’ up as if they are just as important as Jesus himself, for such ‘hobby-horses’ are more likely to form barriers to faith than be attractive. Little doctrinal issues can wait for later. We should not get side-tracked from an emphasis on a personal relationship with Jesus.

Are we all meant to be witnesses?? Are all Jesus followers meant to be witnesses?? Yes!! Are we not then doing a disservice to so many, if we don’t take this seriously. [I have a whole list of barriers or roadblocks that people put up against receiving our witness e.g. the fear of losing control, or being let down by the church in the past (and the antidotes to such reservations) which I’ll produce if anyone would find them helpful.]

2. Ways of Telling our Story

(i) Knowing our particular story well ... rehearsing it, writing it out, reflecting upon it, and considering how it would be likely to help others. Know where we have come from, and seeing how what we have experienced would also help people with similar backgrounds or in similar situations. Understand when and how God has answered our prayers, and be confident about those times when God has made an impact and undoubtedly moved in our lives – either to change circumstances, break down barriers, offer guidance or bring healing. Also we should be able to connect our story with the gospel story, showing how our journey connects with what Jesus has done.

Our typical testimony would include a description of what our life and attitudes were like without God; how we came to realise that we needed God; the circumstances surrounding our acceptance of Jesus, and how Jesus has changed our life ever since.

We should reflect often on how the gospel we have received is truly good news; and how the relationship we have with Jesus really is good news! This will allow our excitement to grow, and become obvious, and a major part of who we are. The better news the gospel of Jesus is to us, the more attractive it will be to others. Our joy, peace and hope then become ‘an alternative vision of life’ for those who are struggling. In reflecting often on our testimony, it should become more natural and easier to share it.

(ii) Beginning by listening a whole lot more than talking, so that we can deduce where the other person is at in life. This is much more preferable than spouting a lot of pre-prepared doctrines or set formulas that may completely miss the mark, and worse, turn the person right off. A lot of people we share with these days will have absolutely no background in Christianity and therefore no framework through which to understand complex biblical concepts. If we listen well, we can find some good points of connection between the other person’s experiences and our journey. Then we have the chance to build a relationship built on common understanding.

By listening well, we’ll know where our story connects with their story. For example ... as we have experienced God’s forgiveness, our story is relevant to the person burdened heavily by guilt; as we have benefitted by an ongoing friendship with Jesus, our story is helpful to the person who is dreadfully lonely. Whatever the need, Jesus is the answer, but we need to make the points of connection (whereby the answer fits the particular person’s problem area).

Eventually the depth of such sharing will lead to the possibility of faith. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become so dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:8). This reminds us again of the honesty, the integrity, and the heart of love and concern that must sit behind our witness to Jesus. We shouldn’t try to argue anyone toward faith – it hardly ever works; but rather share our life with them, and let faith gradually take root. Faith is not so much taught, but caught!!

(iii) By really truly caring – why did the early disciples create such a stir and make such an impact? It is because, as a result of their experience of Jesus and relationship with Jesus, they really cared about the welfare of their community, especially the needy (the poor, the sick, and the bereaved). They made sure that these, no matter whether they were a part of the house churches or not, were looked after. In this way, their testimony about Jesus was credible. Of course, as we have already said, helping others isn’t restricted to those we may deem respectable or deserving, because Jesus took the extreme position of teaching us to actively love our enemies.

[In preparation for this message I read a story about a woman who had the opportunity to avenge the brutal killing of her brother when the killer was admitted badly ill to the hospital in which the woman was a nurse, but chose rather to nurse him back to health.]

So we need to continually remind ourselves about the value of all individual souls – the people we encounter in daily life are not irrelevant passers-by. In some cases their behaviour may disturb us, but it may have good effect for us to suspend judgement and withhold criticism. Having said this though, sometimes it will be in the other person’s best interests for us to speak the truth in love.

(iv) Responding to a ‘Why’ question ... when we can get one asked! “Why” questions should come out of our behaviour, attitudes and priorities, which will be sufficiently different to the usual (sufficiently ‘counter-cultural’) as to beg enquiry. “Why” questions will most likely come when we help or serve others self-sacrificially in ways that would be unexpected. A “why” question may allow us to respond with details about why we act as we do, and our reasons for following Jesus, thus sharing the centre of what drives us in life. This would of course involve pointing to a loving and compassionate God as the source of our inclination to care for others (a God who has love for all, and a desire to reach out with this love to each and every person).

Here’s another thought ... a generous and unexpectedly gracious response to a particularly unkind action or remark (directed at us), may even induce a “why” question and open a path to witnessing. If no-one is asking us “why” questions, then we would have to do some evaluation of ourselves.

3. Making It Happen (1 Peter 3:14-15a)

Returning to the text in conclusion – in verse 14 we read that we should not fear what other people fear. There are various ways of interpreting this. I guess there is much to “fear” in life ... for the Christian community of Peter’s time – it was mainly persecution; for us it would be illness, loneliness, failure, poverty, violence or death. Here we need to exhibit a faith that, while acknowledging we can still suffer the pressure of such things, ultimately God will be constantly with us and also save us. “I will be with you always, said Jesus, “to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20). Another way of looking at this then is to not be giving allegiance to what most others do, but rather give allegiance to God.

Also, people around us tend to “fear” being exposed for who they really are, and tend to not want people to get too close to their core beliefs (lest they be ridiculed). We on the other hand should be open and proactively honest about who and what we stand for, not giving in to any sort of self-imposed feelings of intimidation against sharing our faith. This also means that we do not give allegiance to those (negative and worthless) things that others easily seem to do. And, it is those who are prepared to reveal themselves as works in progress (weaknesses and all) who are most likely to be helpful resources to others, much more so than those who pretend to have it all together (and thus are far more inaccessible).

That all sounds tough does it not!?! The way forward into this sort of confident space is in the words that follow: “but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord”. That is where all this ‘putting faith into words’ starts. This simply means making Jesus the centre of everything in our lives, unifying our being under one “Lord”. Our lives are so thoroughly given over to Jesus that sharing our faith in action and in words begins to happen naturally!! All our human defenses break down, and nothing makes us more happy than sharing our personal knowledge of Jesus with our friends.

However, this will not happen while our heart is divided between Jesus and a whole lot of other desires, causing inconsistencies and ineffectiveness. Our mind and heart can so easily be distracted by worldly pursuits, the pressure of certain circumstances, and the opinions of people that we should really analyse more biblically. This is why, here in this letter, Peter points out the need to place Jesus in the centre, before he goes on to talk about our witness. Our witness can only be strong, as Jesus is allowed to thoroughly live his resurrected life through us! We sing “Jesus, be the centre” and then live this out. Amen!