Have you ever had to defend yourself? Have you defended yourself physically? Have you defended your ideas or beliefs? Have you defended a position you have taken, a person you have voted for, or your favorite team? Are you ready to defend your faith?
We defend ourselves more often than we may think we do. We may not have had to defend ourselves physically, but we defend ourselves in many other ways. We defend our favorite team, our position on various topics, and perhaps who we voted for in elections.
However, when it comes to our faith, many of us feel ill equipped to do so. We read all we can find on our favorite team and can easily point out why this or that has happened. But when it comes to our faith, we struggle to state why we believe. When asked about our faith, we quickly forget what we know…and we know more than we give ourselves credit for.
We know that Jesus was born of a virgin. We know He performed miracles of healing, raising the dead, and feeding thousands. We know He was falsely accused and crucified. We know He was buried and rose from the grave on the third day. We know He lives and sits at the right hand of the Father today. We know He is the Son of God, one part of the Trinity, which is one God represented in three persons. We know He has fulfilled God’s promises and promised us eternal life. We know He taught us how we are to live our lives so we can live the abundant life He promised. We know we are forgiven because of His death, burial, and resurrection.
It is not a question of whether we know enough to defend our faith. It is a question of whether we believe deeply enough to stand up and make a defense when asked. It all comes down to our conviction and courage. If we feel ill-prepared to defend our faith, we need to study more, commit key pieces of information to memory.
I pray we all believe in Jesus. I pray we realize we know more about Him than we give ourselves credit. I pray we are convicted and courageously defend our faith in Jesus. Believe in Jesus. Trust your knowledge of Jesus. Be convicted in your faith. Be courageous in the defense of your faith.
1 Peter 3:15b-16a Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.
Marty Pressey 