Always be Ready

1 Peter 3:15 is a favorite verse of mine, and it seemed appropriate to look at this verse as we start this New Year in 2007.

New Kings James version
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

Sanctify is a great word, it means to consecrate, to set apart, and to dedicate to. We get to offer our hearts to the Lord, as worship and service to Him. What a wonderful opportunity to honor God and serve Him as the Priests He has made us to be. As priests we offer praises and worship to the Lord, and also minister on behalf of the people we have the opportunity to carry in our hearts. As intercessors we know about the sacred charge to pray for others and help bear their burdens.

The second part of this verse speaks of the message that we are to carry to the world around us. We are to always be ready to speak to people about the hope that is in our hearts. This is being able to explain and answer questions about what it is to be saved and have a living hope in Christ.

The world does not have hope, in reality those without Christ are without hope in the world (Eph 2:11). That is where we come in; we are the ones who are hear to help show the way. Not only are we to bear burdens and pray for people, we are also to be prepared to be able to communicate what it means to know the love of Christ. We are called to be His witnesses and the messengers of His hope.

Be encouraged to take time this week to sanctify your hearts to the Lord and be renewed in what it is to be one who carries the message of Christ to the world.

God bless you all.