In our hearts -- not just our minds, or intellect, but in our hearts ... in our will and with our emotions
set apart -- sanctify, acknowledge His holiness
Christ as Lord -- not just as a good teacher, not just as a Rabbi, not just as a window on God, but as the eternal L
ORD of Heaven and Earth and as the Lord of our lives.Always be prepared -- not just sometimes, not just if we have been provided advance notice ... but always, at all times and in all places
to give an answer -- an explanation, a witness, a testimony [the old meaning of an "apology"]. But how many of us, even if we have "Joy" and "Hope", could explain to others the Scriptural basis for such? And yet the Scripture says "We believe, and therefore speak".
to everyone who asks you --if only our lives could be such that people would ask!
the reason for the hope that you have -- for if we have been born again (born from above) by the Spirit of God, then we should have within us the Joy of Salvation and the Hope of Glory -- unless the enemy has stolen the Joy and Hope from us.
But do this with gentleness and respect
first posted on 16 Jan. 1998
typing errors and omissions excepted
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