Often times.

Something I’ve recently noticed in just observing others in regarding seeking God is acting as if God needs to fill out a job application. When God does not fit our requirements we either seek another God or we mold God into the image we wish him to be. If God is indeed God then would our desires actually change his character or affiliations?

Often times we want God to be all love and mercy forgetting mercy is to those who do not deserve it. If one deserved mercy then mercy would then cease being mercy.

Often times we want God to be a wishing well for our desires. If our desires do not come true then apparently we are not worshiping the correct God. Would not a true God enact his own desires as he wills?

Often times we want God to leave us alone yet we want him to be sovereign. We want God to take control of situations we do not like yet we do not want him to take control of the things we like.

Often times we want God to be a loving Father, but we do not want to be obedient children. We think that if we cry and scream loud enough God will actually do what we want.

Often times we want God to speak and yet we do not listen to his words. If we are actually expecting God to speak to us then why do we not listen to him when in prayer and when reading his Word… assuming we pray and read.

Often times we expect God to do what we want him to do because we supposedly deserve his blessings. We seem to think that if we do what we are supposed to do (pray, read the Bible, be a good person, etc.) that God is supposedly now in our dept and owes us something.

What have we done?

Just recently I came across a song by Northern Conspiracy which is a band which plays at Mark Driscoll’s church, Mars Hill Church, in Seattle, WA. This song is now one of my favorite songs. I love the lyrics and here they are.
Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I’d have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

Oh my soul, oh my Jesus
Judas sold you for thirty, I’d have done it for less
Oh my soul, oh my Savior
Peter denied you three times, I have denied you more

And the blood ran down, I was standing right there
And the water pored, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

As the nails went in, I was standing right there
As you breathed your last, I shook my head and I cried

Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son
Oh my God, what have we done, we have destroyed your Son

If you’d like to actually listen to the song you my do so by finding it on the list here.

Why choose 1 Peter 3:15 for the heading?

As stated in the heading above, 1 Peter 3:15 says, “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.” Some may wonder why this specific verse was chosen. I, however, not only chose that verse to be the on the heading of each page of this blog, but I seek to have 1 Peter 3:15 as a verse that I live my life by.

There is so much that can be taken out of that one verse that can be applicable to my life and those who read it. The book of 1 Peter was written by none other than the disciple Peter with the help of another named Silas. This letter was written to be circulated throughout what is now northern Turkey during times of persecution. This verse shows how the people were to respond to people who asked about their faith.

The first part of the verse, the author stated to set apart Christ as Lord. They were to never forget Jesus was to be Lord of their lives and that they must follow his teachings and follow his footsteps.

The verse continues by saying, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” This signifies that the Christians spoken to do indeed have hope, not only do they have it but it is shown by the very way they live. Christians are to be different than the world, they are to stick out from the crowd. This section of the verse also signifies that people will ask about this hope, about this faith. When that occasion arises one must be prepared to give an answer. This may mean have a testimony prepared or it may be to not be defenseless when attacked by one who has a different set of beliefs.

“But do this with gentleness and respect.” This is the last part of the verse which states how one is to go about sharing and defending their faith. The Christian must not be a negative towards the person by attacking their character. One must confront or answer another out of love and humility like that of Jesus Christ. One must confront and answer however. This cannot be forgotten. The Great Commission at the end of the book of Matthew signifies that Christians are commanded to preach the Gospel, the good news, to those across the world.

1 Peter 3:15 is still applicable to today for when people come to us asking about the Christian faith. Some use the verse in a more Apologetic way (defending the faith) while others use it in a manner that they are prepared to give their testimony. Each is important to how a Christian is to witness. This is a verse that I seek to live my life by and I hope and pray each Christian does just the same.