Peter referred to Christians as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God" (1 Peter 2:9) Does that seem like a great challenge for your life? It is. It is a great responsibility to be a member of Christ's Church. But when Peter encourages his readers: "Be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," (1 Peter 3:15), he prepares them for such response.

What gives us that confidence? The inspired writers of Scripture have passed great truths on to us. "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed" (1 Peter 1:13). Only in God's Word do we find that hope of grace. Therefore, through His Word the Holy Spirit must prepare us to "give an answer" by regularly reminding us about all of the things Jesus said and did (John 14:26), the things pertaining to our salvation.

We have been born again of imperishable seed through the living and enduring Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" (1 Peter 2:1). The evil way of life that we have left behind in order to follow Christ has no place in our new Spirit-led life. Christ's sanctifying power gives us confidence to bear witness to Him. That power is present in a baptismal-centered life of daily contrition and repentance, and frequent nourishment with His body and blood for our forgiveness.

Peter also instructs his readers to humble themselves under God's mighty hand. (1 Peter 5:6) The statement, "Be ready" implies that we do not know when we might be called upon to "give the reason for the hope that we have." Peter does not specifically speak of Christian humility as a preparation for evangelism. But prayerfully seeking the Lord's will over our own gives us confidence and continued hope, and becomes another important part of being "ready to give an answer." 

But even with confidence that comes from being faithful to the Lord, we might still find ourselves anxious about being called upon to "make the good confession," as Paul says Jesus did before Pilate (1 Timothy 6:13). Jesus' disciples were anxious, too. He assured them, "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say" (Luke 12:11-12).

All of us can have the same assurance. The God who has provided a gift costly to Him but free to the world, and is interested in every person receiving that gift, will enable his people to share it. Christians reflect Christ. As unbelievers are in contact with us in our everyday lives, God enables those people who desperately need Him an opportunity to be curious and to inquire about "the reason for the hope that we have." In this same letter, Peter notes that unbelieving husbands could be "won over without words by their wives when they see the purity and reverence of their lives." (3:1-2)

All of us who know Christ, long to share Him with those who do not. How do we reach these people? Is any time the right time to "give an answer?" No. But the Lord who "takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked" continues to pursue unbelievers that they might "turn from their ways and live" (Ezekiel 33:11). As we ourselves humbly focus on knowing the Lord and seeking His will ourselves, God is preparing us for "giving an answer to everyone who asks us" to give a reason of the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).

Michael Dale is pastor of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Port St. Lucie, Florida.