GENTLE AND RESPECTFUL
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
1 Peter 3:15–16a (NLT)
Years ago at Georgia Tech, I had a good friend named Steve who was a bold witness for Christ. His life had been radically changed, and he wanted the Gospel to shape our campus culture. One afternoon, as I walked out of the library, I saw two Hare Krishnas wearing white robes and shaved heads, handing out literature and trying to convince students that their version of Hinduism was the way to God.
As I got closer, I noticed Steve locked in a debate with them, confidently sharing the Gospel. A few minutes later, the conversation ended. Steve joined Bobby, another close friend from church, and me as we walked several blocks back to the dorm.
Steve was fired up. He told us how he smoked those two guys. He said he made it clear their gods were false gods and that Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life. Unless they repented and trusted Christ, he said, they would burn in hell forever. He explained how he systematically destroyed every argument they raised.
I was impressed and asked him questions as we walked. Bobby said nothing.
When we reached the bottom of the hill in front of the dorm, Steve, still riding the high from the encounter, reminded us that Peter says we should always be ready to explain our hope as Christians. After listening silently for blocks, Bobby finally spoke in a quiet, steady voice. The end of that verse says to do this in a gentle and respectful way. Then he turned and walked away.
Steve and I stood there in stunned silence.
Later, Steve said it felt like he had been hit upside the head with a board. All these years later, I have never forgotten Bobby’s words. Peter makes it clear that we can fail in two ways. We can stay silent when we should speak, or we can speak boldly without gentleness or respect.
Sadly, I have done both. I have kept quiet when I should have shared Christ or Christian ethics, and at other times I have spoken without showing respect to someone who sees the world differently.
APPLICATION: Ask yourself this question honestly. Would you rather win the argument or give someone a glimpse of the love of Christ?
PRAYER: Lord, give me the grace and humility to speak when I need to speak, and to do so with gentleness and respect. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?