verse 07/19/05

[DaveHawk]

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give a reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentlesness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who spark maliciously againt your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15,16

This passage stuck out to me in following what some of the treads have been saying.

[Dark Knight]

But do this with gentlesness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who spark maliciously againt your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15,16

I read this verse this morning before heading to work. It struck me as being very meaningful, but I didnt have time to think upon it. All day long, it has haunted me. This afternoon I came home and re-read it to let it sink in.

I think that the key to this verse is the gentleness and respect part. At my department I have two particular female coworkers. One is budhist and one is unsure what she believes. In discussing religion with them one day, I listened to them and debated my belief's with them. Neither they or I was really trying to convert the other one, we were just merely politely discussing what we believed and why. A few days later, the budhist stopped me to thank me for sharing my faith. Although she wasn't converted, she appreciated the fact that I never told her that she would die and go to hell. Seems all her life whenever a Christian "witnessed" to her, after failing to get a convert, they all passed judgment. Brothers, judgement is not ours to pass. Some are called to sow-by sharing Christ. Some are called to tend to the crops-by being an example in actions and words.Yet still others are called to reap the harvest-by leading someone to Christ. Your mission, may be any combination of the three, or any individual one. Remember---mercy, love, respect.

DK
:goodvevil

[DaveHawk]

DK, You hit the nail on the head. We can't do the converting and we don't have the power. All we can do is share what the Lord gives us to say. Remember Paul in prison, the Lord told him that when the time cae to testify it would be the Holy Spirit who would literialy speek through Paul. For we are the vessel if we chose to be.

[Cato]

Good thread guys.

Cato