Last night, we did an exercise that I have done a time or two before. It begins with a simple question: “Tell me something about your best friend.”
At once, the airspace is full of descriptions about unique interests, contexts, biographical information and some stranger things. The point of the exercise is that we all, reflexively, can describe our friends, and certainly our best friends, with barely a thought. We know who they are and what they are about so instinctually, there’s almost no need to think about it.
This is the reason why we spend so much of our time together learning about Christ. For followers of Christ, we should be be able to, at moment’s notice, share what is at the core of our faith: the humanity and divinity of Christ.
As Christians, we should know Christ the same way we know our best friend.
In the Gospel of John we learn that the divine word of God has taken human form in Christ — a super controversial belief at the time. When you are in the presence of Jesus, you are in the presence of God.
So, God is revealed to us through the example of Christ — his life, ministry, words and deeds. We see these revelations throughout the scriptures.
In 1 Peter, we have a clear instruction to be witnesses to the hope that we have in Christ — something that will be evident to anyone in our presence, even during difficult times. And in those difficult times, you may be called upon to reveal why your posture is one of hope and expectation, not fear and loathing.
Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.
1 Peter 3:15 – The Message
Always remember that we don’t follow Christ because we’ve heard the Good News, we follow him because we believe it and desire others will come to know him.
See you Sunday morning!
The Pipe 