1 Peter 3:15 says that you should "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." What are your reasons?

Excellent question. I'll preface the answer with the observation that I did relatively poorly in my oral exam in Evangelism class because I hate non-contextual hypotheticals. 1 Peter 3 assumes that a real person within a real context is talking to me - and my answer would reflect that in some ways.

Not that the substance would be different though. Here's one example of what I might say:

The hope I have is the hope of eternity made right - of all injustices dealt with justly, of all brokennesses healed, of this groaning world clothed in beauty without injury. The Lion laying down with the lamb stuff.

At the heart of this hope is reconciliation: Creation (including us!) living once more in obedience, harmony, worship of God our Creator. All rightness lies in him, therefore restoration means reconciliation him.

The foundation of this hope is therefore Jesus Christ who delivers this reconciliation. In Jesus the justice and mercy of God - are evident, present, exercised, and satisfied. All restoration with God is therefore in Christ. In him the power of sin and shame is overcome as he pays the price for sin and enters into this new resurrection life for which we hope.

So now I live to follow Jesus - not just to walk, eventually, into that eternal hope, but to reflect him in my life today. Because of him I can pray, with hope, "Lord, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Because of him I can sing, "I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

So matter what I face in this real world, I face it with the assurance of eternity in Jesus Christ starting now. That is why I have hope.

URL: http://www.formspring.me/briggswill/q/779107948