This is Your Chance!
This is Your Chance!
This is Your Chance!
This is Your Chance!
As we reject the ways of the world and seek the good of others, we prove to be counting on something the world does not offer. Counting on God for safety and protection and rejecting the temporary rewards of the world will likely lead to difficult insults. This is where our chance for offense starts!
Have you been challenged, insulted, or even threatened recently?
Have you been criticized or ostracized even when you were doing the right thing for the right reasons?
Rather than defending yourself, have you considered the upside of an offensive approach that points your critics to a better life?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
King was criticized, insulted, and suffered greatly for doing the work he believed he was called to do. In the face of opposition, he kept doing what he believed was right, acting fearlessly for the good of others, pointing to a hope that was way bigger than himself.
We have the same opportunity that Dr. King did: to do good work, to face opposition fearlessly, and to point people to our greatest hope, especially when we are being mistreated.
“But in your hearts revere 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.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:15[.no-reftag]
This verse is quoted often by followers of Jesus to encourage each other to share their faith in Jesus — their ultimate hope. But, the context is often lost.
This verse was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage followers of Jesus who are spread out across what we now know as Asia and Europe — living and working and being verbally persecuted for doing good work.
Equal Opportunity
Perhaps many of us go about our lives and work the wrong way. We often do our work well, but we fail to see our work as an expression of our faith. The early followers of Jesus who were most effective served their families, neighbors, and their God simultaneously.
We have been given the same incredibly fulfilling opportunity and purpose. Notice how 1 Peter 3 - in full context - can play out in our everyday life and work.
For Blessing
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:8-9[.no-reftag]
Peter is encouraging the early followers of Jesus to live one consistent, humble life – to be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble in all parts of this life. This is our opportunity every day at work.
To Do Good Work
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:10-11[.no-reftag]
We all want a good life, but our lives are better now and forever when we follow the way of Jesus. We need to speak the truth and do good, no matter what the temporary costs may be.
To Live Fearlessly
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:12-14[.no-reftag]
We don’t have to defend ourselves. God is with us. God is fully protecting us.
To live with fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) leads to courageous acts of faith and simple acts of doing good for others. Doing good and caring for others — not always seeking our own temporary advantages — comes from a place of faithful humility.
Even a humble life or doing good for others can threaten and offend others who are seeking primarily the temporary satisfaction that the marketplace and the world offer. It’s offensive to people, when it causes them to question their world view.
As we reject the ways of the world and seek the good of others as they seek to ridicule us, we prove to be counting on something the world does not offer. Not following the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2) will offend many. Counting on God for safety and protection and rejecting the temporary rewards of the world will likely lead to difficult insults.
This is where our chance for offense starts!
To Point to Hope
But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:15-17[.no-reftag]
You see, when we expect to be rejected and challenged, we have the opportunity to respond with care and compassion.
When we know it’s likely we will be insulted, we have the chance to respond to desperate criticism with life-giving hope.
When we are prepared and not thrown off our game because we know there is nothing they can do to us to harm us permanently, we can respond with love, gentleness, and respect.
Responding with loving care and compassion wins the dissenting voice over, causing them to wonder about our hope - a hope that is not fearful or compliant to the world's patterns.
It leads to people asking about our hope.
To Be Like Jesus
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:18[.no-reftag]
Our opportunity to explain Jesus in the face of opposition — powered by our trust in Jesus — is an opportunity to be like Jesus.
You see, Jesus was never defensive. He faced every trial, every temptation, and never stopped moving toward danger for the love of those He came to save. His purposes could not be thwarted. Not even death by murder could hold Him down (Acts 2:24).
Our hope is not in vain. Jesus has conquered death and provided our eternal victory. This is a hope that does not disappoint. This is a Hope named Jesus that never disappoints.
Let’s follow the commands of Jesus to share hope and love others the way Jesus loved us.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 4:14[.no-reftag]
Resources For Sharing Your Faith with Friends and Coworkers:
Are you ready to share your hope? Do you want to share your faith, but worry you will get into situations where you don’t have the answers? Or are you struggling with a tough question of your own?
Either way, there are fabulous resources out there for you. We’ve put together some of the greatest hits on the hardest topics – and most compelling cases – for faith today:
Is God Real? — David Platt
Platt’s approach to atheists about God, leading with the wonder of the created world and our innate need as humans to do good.
Answers to “Tough” Questions - The Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum fosters dialogue and discovery on Christian topics across university campuses nationwide. In this 2008 Veritas Forum at Columbia University, best-selling author and pastor Tim Keller fields many tough questions from NBC journalist Martin Bashir and Columbia University's David Eisenbach.
Do you struggle with one of these common questions about faith or wonder how to respond if someone brings it up?
Check out Tim Keller’s compelling responses to some of the most popular questions & challenges for Christians today:
- Are faith and reason contradictory?
- Is God just a projection of our cultural circumstances?
- Is it narrow to believe in one God? Is everyone else going to hell?
- Is the Bible trustworthy?
- What about the behavior of so-called Christians?
- Are you resolutely convinced today that Christianity is true?
- How could God allow evil and suffering?
- Does it take faith to be an atheist?
- What does Christianity have against homosexuals? Are they going to hell?
- Why is Christianity so exclusive?
- What do you believe about politics?
- How do you get to heaven?
- Why would God make people who sin?
- What happened for you to have so much peace?
Books To Share With Friends and Coworkers:
Randy Pope explores the Answer to living a life of true satisfaction and offers practical ways to share that knowledge with others.
Lee Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts from the world’s most elite universities, asking hard-hitting questions--and taking a deeper look at the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.
Timothy Keller addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics (and even ardent believers) have about religion – using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning to explain how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one.
Richard E. Simmons III offers a series of short essays seeking to answer life’s most enduring question: Does God exist?
Helpful Tip: Offer to read one of these books along with your friend or colleague. Consider breaking it up into parts and planning to meet to discuss after you each complete the agreed upon reading.
Have you been challenged, insulted, or even threatened recently?
Have you been criticized or ostracized even when you were doing the right thing for the right reasons?
Rather than defending yourself, have you considered the upside of an offensive approach that points your critics to a better life?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
King was criticized, insulted, and suffered greatly for doing the work he believed he was called to do. In the face of opposition, he kept doing what he believed was right, acting fearlessly for the good of others, pointing to a hope that was way bigger than himself.
We have the same opportunity that Dr. King did: to do good work, to face opposition fearlessly, and to point people to our greatest hope, especially when we are being mistreated.
“But in your hearts revere 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.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:15[.no-reftag]
This verse is quoted often by followers of Jesus to encourage each other to share their faith in Jesus — their ultimate hope. But, the context is often lost.
This verse was written by the Apostle Peter to encourage followers of Jesus who are spread out across what we now know as Asia and Europe — living and working and being verbally persecuted for doing good work.
Equal Opportunity
Perhaps many of us go about our lives and work the wrong way. We often do our work well, but we fail to see our work as an expression of our faith. The early followers of Jesus who were most effective served their families, neighbors, and their God simultaneously.
We have been given the same incredibly fulfilling opportunity and purpose. Notice how 1 Peter 3 - in full context - can play out in our everyday life and work.
For Blessing
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:8-9[.no-reftag]
Peter is encouraging the early followers of Jesus to live one consistent, humble life – to be sympathetic, compassionate, and humble in all parts of this life. This is our opportunity every day at work.
To Do Good Work
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:10-11[.no-reftag]
We all want a good life, but our lives are better now and forever when we follow the way of Jesus. We need to speak the truth and do good, no matter what the temporary costs may be.
To Live Fearlessly
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:12-14[.no-reftag]
We don’t have to defend ourselves. God is with us. God is fully protecting us.
To live with fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10) leads to courageous acts of faith and simple acts of doing good for others. Doing good and caring for others — not always seeking our own temporary advantages — comes from a place of faithful humility.
Even a humble life or doing good for others can threaten and offend others who are seeking primarily the temporary satisfaction that the marketplace and the world offer. It’s offensive to people, when it causes them to question their world view.
As we reject the ways of the world and seek the good of others as they seek to ridicule us, we prove to be counting on something the world does not offer. Not following the patterns of the world (Romans 12:2) will offend many. Counting on God for safety and protection and rejecting the temporary rewards of the world will likely lead to difficult insults.
This is where our chance for offense starts!
To Point to Hope
But in your hearts revere 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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:15-17[.no-reftag]
You see, when we expect to be rejected and challenged, we have the opportunity to respond with care and compassion.
When we know it’s likely we will be insulted, we have the chance to respond to desperate criticism with life-giving hope.
When we are prepared and not thrown off our game because we know there is nothing they can do to us to harm us permanently, we can respond with love, gentleness, and respect.
Responding with loving care and compassion wins the dissenting voice over, causing them to wonder about our hope - a hope that is not fearful or compliant to the world's patterns.
It leads to people asking about our hope.
To Be Like Jesus
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 3:18[.no-reftag]
Our opportunity to explain Jesus in the face of opposition — powered by our trust in Jesus — is an opportunity to be like Jesus.
You see, Jesus was never defensive. He faced every trial, every temptation, and never stopped moving toward danger for the love of those He came to save. His purposes could not be thwarted. Not even death by murder could hold Him down (Acts 2:24).
Our hope is not in vain. Jesus has conquered death and provided our eternal victory. This is a hope that does not disappoint. This is a Hope named Jesus that never disappoints.
Let’s follow the commands of Jesus to share hope and love others the way Jesus loved us.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. - [.no-reftag]1 Peter 4:14[.no-reftag]
Resources For Sharing Your Faith with Friends and Coworkers:
Are you ready to share your hope? Do you want to share your faith, but worry you will get into situations where you don’t have the answers? Or are you struggling with a tough question of your own?
Either way, there are fabulous resources out there for you. We’ve put together some of the greatest hits on the hardest topics – and most compelling cases – for faith today:
Is God Real? — David Platt
Platt’s approach to atheists about God, leading with the wonder of the created world and our innate need as humans to do good.
Answers to “Tough” Questions - The Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum fosters dialogue and discovery on Christian topics across university campuses nationwide. In this 2008 Veritas Forum at Columbia University, best-selling author and pastor Tim Keller fields many tough questions from NBC journalist Martin Bashir and Columbia University's David Eisenbach.
Do you struggle with one of these common questions about faith or wonder how to respond if someone brings it up?
Check out Tim Keller’s compelling responses to some of the most popular questions & challenges for Christians today:
- Are faith and reason contradictory?
- Is God just a projection of our cultural circumstances?
- Is it narrow to believe in one God? Is everyone else going to hell?
- Is the Bible trustworthy?
- What about the behavior of so-called Christians?
- Are you resolutely convinced today that Christianity is true?
- How could God allow evil and suffering?
- Does it take faith to be an atheist?
- What does Christianity have against homosexuals? Are they going to hell?
- Why is Christianity so exclusive?
- What do you believe about politics?
- How do you get to heaven?
- Why would God make people who sin?
- What happened for you to have so much peace?
Books To Share With Friends and Coworkers:
Randy Pope explores the Answer to living a life of true satisfaction and offers practical ways to share that knowledge with others.
Lee Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts from the world’s most elite universities, asking hard-hitting questions--and taking a deeper look at the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.
Timothy Keller addresses the frequent doubts that skeptics (and even ardent believers) have about religion – using literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and potent reasoning to explain how the belief in a Christian God is, in fact, a sound and rational one.
Richard E. Simmons III offers a series of short essays seeking to answer life’s most enduring question: Does God exist?
Helpful Tip: Offer to read one of these books along with your friend or colleague. Consider breaking it up into parts and planning to meet to discuss after you each complete the agreed upon reading.