DYB DYB DYB, DOB DOB DOB.  Huh?

1 Peter 3:13-18

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts revere 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, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

DYB DYB DYB, DOB DOB DOB. Huh?  I grew up in the Scouting movement not really understanding the meaning behind those words: DYB and DOB.  It turns out the scout leader is calling the kids to Do Your Best and we were responding Do Our Best.  But I didn’t understand that growing up.  It was just what we did at each meeting.  Sometimes you just take actions for granted.  But sometimes actions cry out for an explanation.

Peter believes that the way you live as a Christian will cry out for an explanation.  Why would you respond to someone hurting you with kindness? (verse 9). Why don’t you respond in fear to the things we fear? (verse 14). Has this ever happened to you where someone has asked you for the reason you act the way you do?

So Peter echoes another of the Scouting mantras:  Be Prepared.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

Let me suggest that the way to prepare yourself for such a question is very similar to the reason for the hope you have.

So what’s the reason?  Look at the words just before our famous verse on being prepared:  But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.  The reason is Christ, my Lord.  The way I prepare myself for such a question is to remember that my Lord suffered for my sin yet retaliated with his unbounded kindness to me.   This has affected me so much that you may catch glimpses of this every once in a while.  I don’t fear others because He is the one I fear.  He is the one I revere above all other powers or influences.  He is the one I worship.  I am safe in His arms.  I have found my true Lord.  His service is perfect freedom.

Head: How would you explain the reason for your hope in Jesus? What story would you tell?

Heart: How could you remember throughout the day that Jesus is your ultimate Lord?

Hands: What could you do to be better prepared for a question about your faith in God?

Prayer: Dear Lord, I revere you above all other powers in my life.  You are sovereign over everything I might fear.  Help me to not give into fear but to set you apart as my Lord.  Please help me to see the opportunities to speak normally to my family, colleges and friends about how wonderful you are, to give the reason for my hope in you.  Please give me courage to open up this part of my life to those who may be looking for this hope. Amen

A song to listen to: Our Saviour & Our King https://open.spotify.com/track/6nEBqnoR8SxyiU4aIegDHc

Anthony King

This Grow Daily was originally posted as part of the Must See Passages series in 2016. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the best of Grow Dailys over the years.