If a friend demanded that you explain why you believe in Jesus Christ, would you have a good answer, or would you have to hedge a bit by saying “I grew up that way” or “Doesn’t everybody?” Can you support your belief from your understanding of the Bible or out of your personal relationship with Jesus? Or might your answer reveal that you might not be sure yourself.

I recall a time (many years ago) when I was in high school and I along with another Christian friend was trying to witness to our close friend. The friend demanded to know what was so special about being a Christian, and I answered, “Because Christians have that something extra.” “Like what?” she demanded. I had no answer and I felt intimidated and embarrassed.

It isn’t easy to share one’s faith. It’s much harder today than it was when I was in high school. In my time, the general public embraced the values of the faith if they believed in Jesus or not. Today everything is being challenged including our right to live the faith we believe. So it is more important now than ever to know what we believe and why, or we risk being swept away with the crowd who deliberately chooses to ignore the claims of the Christian faith – even to their own eternal peril.

1 Peter 3:15b tells us, “And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”

I am going to attempt to write brief posts in the weeks and months ahead to help you define and support your faith so you will have an answer when a friend (or enemy) might challenge you. I invite you to write in the comments some challenges you may have heard against the Christian faith or some questions you may have about things that bother you concerning the Bible and how it fits life today.

Photo Copyright: ferli / 123RF Stock Photo