What is it that I must speak to this morning? That is the question I must answer every time I sit down to write a devotion. I am sitting here this morning asking the Lord that very question. Each one of us should be asking that question. There is a British television series called the “Silent Witness”. It is about the use of forensic science to learn about a crime – “who dunnit” – from a corpse – a witness that cannot speak. Giving a reason for the hope you have suggests that something about you motivated a discussion about why you are the way you are. Why you live the way you live. Why you persevere the way you persevere. Why it is that you seem to be different from the rest of the world.
Of course for someone to ask those questions – you would have to be different – not odd but different. Your life must reflect love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All qualities that others lack but crave, wishing they might even have one to cling to. Those qualities are the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) They are qualities that are a product of being rooted and grounded in the Word of God and submitted to the Spirit of God. And when people see that in you … they often want to know why. It is nothing that you can take credit for achieving. Those are life qualities that are supernatural. You have them, not because of your lack of trouble in life, but you have them in spite of your troubles, life’s circumstances. Otherwise telling people about Jesus and new life in Christ, when your life is no different than theirs, is like a Chevy car salesman trying to sell a Chevy to someone who drives a Ford when the salesman drives a Ford, too.
Our lives are to be distinguishable from the world. If you were in a line up – you with people who were not Christians – all of you wearing how you cope with life on your sleeves – would you stand out – could someone pick the Christian out of the lineup? Would they pick you? Or would they say – “Nope, I don’t recognize any of them.”
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2
But let’s say they do – you are so obviously different from the others – it is easy for them to say “That’s him or her! That’s the Christian!” So you are carted off to the interrogation room and questioned about why you are different. That is your opportunity to give the reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. You are not afraid of the one asking the question (at least you shouldn’t be) – but you are in awe of the One who brought the change in you. The One who is making you different from the rest of the world – day by day. You don’t have to be a preacher or some super saint to give a reason, to tell others about Jesus and your new life. You just need to actually be different. Salvation is spiritual and requires the Spirit to be in the teller and to be working in the hearer. God will give you opportunity to tell – all you have to do is be ready. And when the opportunity arrives, to no longer be silent.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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