Friends in Christ Message for May 4, 2002

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
May 4, 2002

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 (Message*)

One of the things that strikes me about this passage is the idea that people would ask why I'm living the way I am. It speaks to the Gospel as something that transforms our lives in the here and now. When Friends in Christ studied the book of Acts in preparation for launching the ministry, one of the things that struck us was that it was obvious to people around them that there was something special about the disciples.

The verse also tells us how to be in and stay in that transformed state. We must stay focused on Christ through all circumstances. It isn't about just a moment of decision. It's about a lifetime of discipleship.

We may not be called to the mission field. We certainly aren't called to be obnoxious people ranting at others all the time. But we are - all of us who are followers of Christ - called to respond to those who inquire about the reason for our transformed lives. We shouldn't just protest that there's nothing special about us or mumble something meaningless. We need to give the real reason, and not be afraid of what people will think about us when we share the Gospel in our own words that flow from our own experiences with Christ.

A couple of queries come to mind in pondering this passage. Am I living a life transformed through constant devotion to Christ? Am I ready to share the reason for the gift of my transformed life with anyone who asks?

Bill Samuel

* The Message version © by Eugene H. Peterson.