People in general are desperately seeking hope. They are looking everywhere for something to soothe the pains of the world. Chances are, someone will probably look to you for hope as well. As a Christian, you have hope—and your life should display the hope you have in Jesus. But just living as an example of Jesus’ love can mislead people into thinking that they just need to be good people in order to be saved. That’s why evangelism is about conversations—and always being ready to give an answer about your faith to whomever God puts in your path. Find out how to prepare yourself to give a gentle answer as you read this post by Dr. James Merritt.

"A Gentle Answer" by Dr. James Merritt                        

The longer I live and interact with people, the more I see that everyone is looking for hope. Maybe it’s hope for a better life, hope for a relationship, or just hope that things will get better. Underneath all of these, though, lies the common search for more that every human being shares. Have you ever had a moment where you stopped, looked around, and thought, “There has to be more to life than this?”

As Christ followers, we have hope. According to this passage, in fact, our lives should display hope so clearly that it causes others to ask the reason we have such hope. “Always be prepared,” Peter said, “to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Does your life draw such questions? Is the hope you have in Christ so evident that people flock to you wondering what secret you have discovered?

We must be ready to give an answer, whenever and to whomever God sends our way. But, Peter reminds, gentleness and respect must season our words.  Jesus was bold in His proclamation of truth, but He was also gentle. It should be with humble, grateful hearts that we express the hope we have been given.  We must always remember that it is by God’s grace and not our works that we have been saved.

What do you need to do to be ready to give a gentle answer for your hope?  Maybe you need to spend some time in prayer, confessing and repenting of anxiety and fear so that your hope can shine through. Maybe you need to commit some Scripture to memory so that you can share God’s Word without notice. Whatever step you need to take, do it today. There is no time to waste.  We are surrounded by souls searching for hope in all the wrong places. May our hope be a beacon that draws them to the Only Source of true hope, the Lord Jesus Christ.