1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart 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.

This passage is quoted frequently in relation to personal evangelism, but I’m not sure if I’ve ever noticed before that it’s in the context of social persecution. It is when we respond in a Christlike manner to mistreatment that “the hope that is in us” is most noticeable. There is plenty of opportunity for that these days, with those who stand up for Biblical values being reviled with countless epithets. The thing is, if we are more afraid of being called names, like racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and the like, rather than of deviating from the truth of God, then we really are in trouble. As it says here, gentleness and respect are always called for, but we are to be firm in standing on God’s truth, speaking it in His love. (Ephesians 4:15) People won’t know we have the hope of eternal life until that hope causes us to act in ways they don’t expect. When we are assured of who we are in Christ, and that our eternal destiny is in Him, then “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,” as Shakespeare put it, won’t shake us particularly. When that is the case, then the people around us will notice! Peter’s point here is that when that happens, we aren’t to speak down to people as those who have been “enlightened,” but rather on an even level, as “one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread,” as evangelism has rightly been described.

I have been greatly blessed, and I think protected, though that’s not to say life has always been easy. I very early acquired the assurance of salvation, to the point of being cocky about it. God had to take me down a few notches and teach me that it was all grace! I have had people comment on my “great faith” when I have declined to respond to slander, but it didn’t feel so great to me. The slander wasn’t true, and therefore I largely ignored it. Incidentally, the person who was slandering me has since repented. I sometimes have trouble relating to Christians who respond poorly to being attacked, but that is probably a pride issue on my part. I am to declare the goodness and grace of God in my words and my lifestyle, whatever is going on in my life, so that people may be drawn to desire God for themselves.

Father, thank You indeed for Your overwhelming grace toward me. May I be ever more effective in sharing that grace with those around me, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!