1 Peter 3:15 says that we
should always be ready for people to ask us about the reason for the hope that
we have. But John Piper asks a very important question in regards to this
verse, "Why don't people ask us about our hope?"
He's right! Think about how
often you've been asked about the hope within you. How many times do people
approach you about why you’re living the way you are... With hope and faith and
love?
Piper said the answer is simply
this,
"We look as if we hope in
the same things they do."
People aren't asking because
they aren't seeing anything different. They aren’t seeing a lifestyle worth asking
about. As I mentioned a couple weeks ago we don't have the time to be
complacent as believers. It's time to start standing up for what we believe in so we can give people a reason to ask about the hope that we have. I personally
find the question so convicting to think about... Seriously, why aren't people
asking? We have to give them something to talk about... Something more than that we're hypocrites...Something more than
that Christians are arrogant, or hateful, or judgmental. Something more than that
maybe we're just nice people.
People should be wondering
about why we love the way that we love. Why are we sacrificing and serving and
putting others first? Why are we humbling ourselves and loving our enemies? Why
are we opening our doors on Sunday mornings to anyone who wants to walk in? Why
are we living our lives as worship before God's throne? Why are we so quick to
forgive and have mercy and compassion? If you know the answers to
those questions and you believe in the answers to those questions, then live
like it!
Give people a reason to wonder.
We live in this world with people from all different walks of life, missing the hope that we as Christians should have. But even though we live with them and among them, we should have lives that are set apart because our hope is in something different. Live in such a way that makes people wonder. Stir up so much curiosity in the people around you that they can't help but ask about the hope you have in Jesus. Live to give people hope.
We live in this world with people from all different walks of life, missing the hope that we as Christians should have. But even though we live with them and among them, we should have lives that are set apart because our hope is in something different. Live in such a way that makes people wonder. Stir up so much curiosity in the people around you that they can't help but ask about the hope you have in Jesus. Live to give people hope.
“God created us for this: to live
our lives in a way that makes him look more like the greatness and the beauty
and the infinite worth that He really is.” –John Piper
Again, wow!! I really enjoyed reading this and it was very, very convicting.
ReplyDeleteJust lately I've also been thinking that: Why am I so fruitless? Just tonight I was in a frustrated rage at how my life has turned out for the Lord. I haven't done anything substantial, I'm such an IM-perfect Christian, so why did God even bother to make me? He could have made someone great, talented, and pure-hearted to be someone GREAT for God, like Charles Spurgeon or Ronald Reagan, but He made me. Why?
One thing's for sure I do know, I am here and want to become fruitful for the Lord. Your post here has really encouraged me to suck it up and try harder. I know God will do great things through us, and will show the world why we're different, as long as we remain focused on Him!
Thanks again for reading! We're all imperfect Christians, not even the most fruitful person is truly deserving of God's love, but that's the beauty of his mercy and grace. I get what you're saying about not feeling like you're doing anything substantial, I feel like that all the time. However, don't ever doubt that God isn't and won't use you right where you are. For example, you've inspired me and encouraged me to keep on writing and not quit. Keep pursuing the Lord and doing your best to live a life for him. God bless :)
DeleteThanks! You are truly very encouraging, and I'm encouraged to know God was able to work through me to also encourage and inspire you to keep writing (Which actually, is a double blessing for me too because then I get to read it!). I really, really enjoy reading your blog and words of wisdom you have to share that always makes me stop and think, plus you're so relatable and what you're saying I always can get and comment and feel like you're not judging me.Thank you!! :)
DeleteP.S. Sorry my comments are posting twice, not sure how or why they're doing that. :/
Thanks! You are truly very encouraging, and I'm encouraged to know God was able to work through me to also encourage and inspire you to keep writing (Which actually, is a double blessing for me too because then I get to read it!). I really, really enjoy reading your blog and words of wisdom you have to share that always makes me stop and think, plus you're so relatable and what you're saying I always can get and comment and feel like you're not judging me.Thank you!! :)
DeleteP.S. Sorry my comments are posting twice, not sure how or why they're doing that. :/
Again, wow!! I really enjoyed reading this and it was very, very convicting.
ReplyDeleteJust lately I've also been thinking that: Why am I so fruitless? Just tonight I was in a frustrated rage at how my life has turned out for the Lord. I haven't done anything substantial, I'm such an IM-perfect Christian, so why did God even bother to make me? He could have made someone great, talented, and pure-hearted to be someone GREAT for God, like Charles Spurgeon or Ronald Reagan, but He made me. Why?
One thing's for sure I do know, I am here and want to become fruitful for the Lord. Your post here has really encouraged me to suck it up and try harder. I know God will do great things through us, and will show the world why we're different, as long as we remain focused on Him!