Midweek Message from the Archive
Defend Your Faith
Have you ever been faced with a situation when you were required to defend your actions? You made a decision, can honestly support it, and purpose to stand by it without considering what opposition confronts you. Maybe at work, possibly at home with your kids, or even where you go to church; you have to defend your position. That interaction with others as you make your case is a defense or an apology (the Greek word for defense); you’re not saying you’re sorry but defending your position. We do it all the time. I have a friend who thinks Costco is the best store ever and she defends her position quite convincingly. Others defend the decision of which school their children attend or the group of believers they choose to identify with and they can defend those positions. Well, Christianity is no different. We should be able to defend what and why we believe. What would you say to someone who confronts you with the question, “Why do you put your trust in a God you cannot see or a man who lived 2,000 years ago?”
One aspect of defending your faith is to answer that question in a positive way with the evidence being God as He works in your life. Everyone has a belief system, even atheists believe in something, that shapes the way they see the world. Christians view the world from the perspective that God loves them and works everything in their life for their good. No one can deny a personal testimony.
Creation is a great place to begin your defense. Your understanding of God the Father as Creator is a great springboard to your case for faith. How many religions claim that One, eternal God created a world to live, in advance, for a people He would love and call His children forever. You look at the beauty of the seasons, the magnificence of a waterfall or mountain range, or a raging ocean knowing that the God Who created it loves you and prepared it for you. The scriptures talk about this idea of defending your faith because it’s important:
“… worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” (1 Peter 3:15, 16 NLT)
It’s the last couple of days of the year, a good time to reflect on your life. Do you have any evidence, something tangible, in favor of your case for faith? What has God done in your life this year? Can you defend your position that God is real using that evidence? Your testimony is vital to yourself and others and brings honor to God; that is worthy of your time and attention this week.
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