Preparing an answer

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

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. But do this with gentleness and respect

I looked at some other versions to explain the “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord”, as this can be hard to actually understand. Other versions say:

NLT: "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life”

ESV: “but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy,”

KJV, NKJV, NASB etc, all use the words: “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts”

God’s word translation: “But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord”

And most of the other translations are similar to the ones above.

Interesting, isn’t it?

And the word “Sanctify” in the dictionary is basically, to make holy, purify and make it free from sin, to entitle it with respect and honour that it deserves.

So, in simple modern day terms, we need to put Christ as Lord in our hearts, with respect and honour, free from sin and to honour Him as a holy being.

The second part is simple. 

To be prepared to give an account for what you believe in. 

Explain why you have the hope in Christ.

Being ready to give an answer to their questions as they wonder about what you believe in.

And to do this with gentleness and respect. [there’s more in verse 16 too, go check it out!]

It’s a good verse to be reminded of.

I remember when I had first become a Christian. I remember someone asking me about it, and I can honestly say I didn’t know how to answer. Simply because I wasn’t prepared.

Kind of how at an interview, the interviewer asks you a really really hard question that totally throws you. Like completely.

And you either don’t know how to answer, or you try and explain [or blab in my case], but you fail to be correct. In verse 16 it does tell us we need to be careful so as to not cause them to speak ill of you.

Which is exactly why, in cases like interviews or someone asking you about your faith -- you need to know your stuff and be prepared to give an answer.

But fear not. With plenty of practises at interviews, or through time, people always ask you about why you believe, you end up knowing what to say, or what not to say. 

But all in all, it certainly does help to have your heart focused on Jesus, as Christ your Lord, as a holy being.

And if that’s the case, you can’t really go wrong!