LISTEN

NASB:

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.

NIV:

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

Observations:

A witnessing believer must first sanctify Christ as Lord of his heart.

The believer must always be ready to make a defense to every person who asks.

The hope that is in the believer is the hope of Christ.

Defending the hope that is in us is to be done with gentleness and respect.

Takeaways:

This is a one verse step-by-step on how to evangelize.

The defense-making process cannot be completed without the believer first setting apart Christ as Lord of his or her heart.

Implied is that the believing person will be asked about the hope that is in him, and he must always be prepared to give a defense of that hope.

The final clause is as important as the rest of the verse – a defense cannot be made unless it is done with gentleness and respect.