RE: Be Ready Always...
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When 1 Peter 3:15 was written, there was no Bible. And most Christians at that time were illiterate. So, even if they had a Bible, they couldn't read it. That's why, when the apostles wrote letters to the churches, they always had someone with the necessary skill read the letter to the entire church.
I'm not saying this to claim we shouldn't read the Bible. Yes, read it. Understand it. Know it. But don't worship it.
The important thing is to keep what is written within its context--historical and literary. The author of 1 Peter was addressing the persecuted church. Some claim it was Gentiles, others that it was Jews, and still others that it was both. Ethnicity of the recipients is much less important than the fact that they were scattered throughout Asia Minor and being persecuted. He was encouraging them to, in the face of their persecution, to return evil for good. Turn the other cheek. Do not retaliate. Why? Because the best witness for Jesus Christ is the endurance of suffering, just as He endured suffering.
In other words ...
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
The practical application for us today is the same as it was for them. In the West, most of us need not fear our lives. But there is a general antagonism toward Christianity. In the politically charged atmosphere in which men and women of faith have been dragged, not altogether against their wills, this message is more apt now than ever. He didn't put us here to build a kingdom in His name. He's already done that. Our task is to simply live in that kingdom as strangers in the kingdoms of men. Humbly. Meekly. And read to defend the faith gently as the situation and opportunity afford.
Keep up the good work in the name of the Lord, @jongolson
Matthew 6:33 for sure. The kingdom of God is what my focus is (or at least as much as my carnal mind seems to allow lol)
I can see how some 'idolize' the bible, yet I do see how some don't take it as the Word of God. It's His message to us and allows us to learn of His character. So that's a big reason why I'm trying so much to keep my nose glued to it.
The devil is crafty, he'll use all kinds of devices and theories to keep us out of God's love message to us.