“But sanctify the Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”
I Peter 3:15
This verse is almost always used to encourage us in the area of apologetics. We are to be ready to have an answer for the truths of Christianity such as the deity of Christ, the infallibility of the Scripture, or creation in seven literal days. To be sure, it is important for us to be confident in the word of God and be able to explain to others truths such as these. However, in the context of I Peter 3:15 we are to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, in the midst of suffering.
This is not apologetics in general but rather the ability to share with others the peace and joy we have while we are “suffering for righteousness’ sake,” and while “they defame us as evildoers,” and while we are being slandered and reviled. When we read I Peter 3:15 we shouldn’t be thinking of debate in the academic arena, or conversations with an unbeliever over coffee. The bold, faithful, Christian martyrs of the early church are what should come to mind here. “Joyfully, they take their stand on the arena’s bloody sand.”
Those who refused to renounce Jesus in face of torture and death, who sang songs of praise to God while burning at the stake, whose faces were radiant with peace and rejoicing knowing that they were only a few short moments away from entering their rest are our example of faithfulness to I Peter 3:15. The unbelieving world looks on in astonishment and wonders, “What is the reason for the hope that is in you?”
The only way they could have this great hope, Peter says, is by sanctifying God in your hearts. This means to set God apart in your heart as your complete trust. This is the principle of the cross being applied to us. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him, completely entrusting Himself to the Father. Sanctifying God in your hearts means believing all the promises God has made concerning you and entrusting yourself to Him even in the face of death.. It means knowing that no matter what man does to me God is the Judge and it is His judgement that stands. And He says that if you suffer for righteousness’ sake you are blessed no matter what people say or do, and those who cause you to suffer are shameful in the eyes of God.
It is because of sanctifying God in their hearts that the disciples could rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer beatings for Jesus’ name in Acts 5:41. This admonition for us today is to sanctify God in our hearts so that when people around us slander us, revile us, mock us, call us evil doers, or even if they physically harm us, we will be able to joyfully take our stand on the arena’s bloody sand for the glory of God.
Glory to the Lord of hosts!
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn
