Week 27 – Gentleness and Respect

Gentleness and Respect 1 Peter 3:15

Have you ever been approached by someone trying to share their faith? Many of us have. One day, my doorbell rang, and when I answered, I thought, “I should have looked at the ring camera first.” I opened the door, feeling annoyed, when the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had an opportunity to share the gospel. These were sincere people at my door who believed what they were about to share; however, they were sincerely wrong. I silently prayed for wisdom and let the gentleman, who was accompanied by an older lady, lead the conversation. He explained from his perspective who God was and how I could be part of God’s family (not exact words, but close). I then asked him, “Do believed that Jesus was God in the flesh?” He replied, “No.” He then cited Exodus 20:3-6, where we are instructed to worship only God, and said that if I claim Jesus is God, then I am worshipping Him, which is forbidden in that passage. I paused, prayed, and then asked him, “Why did Jesus receive worship if He was not God, the second person of the Trinity?” (Matthew 2:11, 14:33, 29:9, 17; John 9:38, 20:28; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:13-14). They looked at each other, puzzled, as I patiently waited for their reply. He then explained that respect meant honor, at which point I referenced angels and the apostles, who were worthy of honor for their work for God but refused to be worshipped (Acts 10:25-26, 14:11-15, Revelation 19:10 & 22:8-9). They appeared confused again. I then gave the woman my cell phone number and asked if they wanted time to research it and meet again. She agreed, and they left, never to be heard from again. Afterward, my family and I prayed for their salvation and praised God for the opportunity to share the truth of His Word: that Jesus came as God in the flesh, died for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

We are called to “…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.” (1 Peter 3:15). In that moment of answering the door and not giving into the temptation of wanting to quickly get rid of them, I prayed and asked God for wisdom. He guided me with what to say and how to respond with gentleness, empathy, and care. How dare I feel disturbed and annoyed when there are people at my door who are unaware of the truth of who Jesus is? I’m not saying I always answer the door, because I don’t, but on this day, I felt the Lord prompting me to engage them. I wasn’t trying to win a debate, but rather win souls for Jesus.  

My friend, let us share the truth of who Jesus is when guided by the Holy Spirit. We do not save anyone, but our obedience in sharing God’s truth might be planting or watering what God is already doing in someone’s heart (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).