“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.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Welcome to the 31st weekly devotional recap of the year. This week’s articles challenged us to build and strengthen our convictions and diligently communicate them to others.
We began by answering the question, “why do you believe what you believe?” Jesus declared Himself to be the way, the truth, and the life, signifying that He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). No one else has made such a claim and fulfilled it. By His resurrection, the Father set Him apart from others who claimed to be gods or prophets and yet remain dead to this day (Acts 2:22-24). Your salvation is hinged on the deity and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6:8-9). Christ’s victory over death is proof that you have eternal life. You must know and have this assurance!
Tuesday’s devotional encouraged us to contend for the faith, hold firmly to the gospel, and protect it (Jude 1:3). As culture is shifting away from truth, the danger lies not just in what is said, but really in what is conveniently left out. You must be able to identify and call out falsehood and inconsistencies in the representation of the gospel so that it is passed on to the next generation as the apostles communicated it. Contend by knowing the truth for yourself (2 Timothy 3:16), guarding your heart from compromise, and anticipating and preparing answers to opposition with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
On Wednesday, we learnt that we need to be willing and able to defend the faith (1 Peter 3:15). Your desire to protect the gospel’s message reveals the extent of your belief in its promise of salvation. Every believer is being equipped for ministry (Ephesians 4:12). If we believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life, then it is a matter of life and death to defend the faith, and compassion should drive you to train yourself to be more effective in evangelism. You must not have a neutral stance towards defending the faith; it is your obligation and an instruction in the Word of God to do so (Jude 1:3).
Thursday’s article emphasized the importance of diligence in our approach to spiritual growth and ministry. Diligence is not casual or passive. This means that you must give focused and consistent effort towards the study of the Word (2 Timothy 2:!5). When you don’t take time to study the Bible, you open yourself up to confusion, false teachings, and shallow beliefs (Hebrews 2:1). In today’s constantly shifting world, be diligent to know what you believe and why you believe it. Let your faith be anchored in truth, not popular opinion.
We ended the week with a reminder to preach the gospel with love. In evangelism, we are not merely delivering facts, but extending the hope of salvation. If the God we represent is love (1 John 4:8), then our communication must reflect that love. Reaching people for Christ is not just about being right; it’s about being effective. Our mission is not just to speak truth, but to say it in a way that opens hearts. You have been entrusted with the message of hope. Share it boldly, but do so gently and with respect. Approach others with patience, wisdom, and prayer, and trust the Holy Spirit to do the deep work.
Dear believer, you have been called to a life of ministry. From today, be intentional about deepening your convictions and training yourself to be an effective evangelist.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Bible Reading Plan: Psalm 85 -87, Revelation 2:18-29; 3:1-6