Have you ever faced opposition because of your faith?  I can think of several occasions throughout my life but nothing like the early church faced regularly.  In the midst of such opposition they still shared their faith boldly with others.  Our example in this is Jesus who suffered for us, and died so that we might have life.  Let’s look together at what Peter says about this in I Peter 3.

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 15 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, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 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.

Even in the face of persecution Peter tells his readers to always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that you have.  In other words always be ready to talk to others about Jesus.  Peter reminds us to do it with gentleness and respect but to take advantage of those chances.  I think that God regularly puts these opportunities in front of us and sometimes we simply miss them.  Pray that God would give you the eyes to recognize those opportunities and the boldness and the words to take advantage of those opportunities when they come to you. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave