The Importance of Biblical Truth

Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being 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; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:13-16 NASB)

Yesterday we learned that knowing what we believe protects us and prevents us from being misled. A solid grounding in biblical principles also prepares us to answer people who are honestly seeking to know the truth. It is our privilege to help a soul find its way to Christ. By having a strong grasp on God's truth, we can confidently act upon opportunities to share our faith. The world offers "hope" based on opinion—and there are many opinions. We need to offer hope based solely on the reality of Jesus Christ.

Saturating our minds with scriptural truth has two outcomes:

• The persuasive power of our answers. It is the Holy Spirit's task to draw people to faith in Christ. He also works to convince believers to change their ways and walk more closely with Jesus. Yet God chooses to use us—our minds and voices—to teach others about the Lord. When He decides we are ready, His persuasive power will flow out through our words to reach them.

• A strengthened personal relationship with God. The more we study God's Word, the more we will comprehend its deeper truths, and the stronger our faith will become. Our belief system is to be based on neither our opinions nor the ideas of others. The Bible, which is the inspired, infallible truth of God, is to be our primary source of knowledge.

There is nothing more important in our day than meditating on Scripture to build our faith and experience the presence of God. Is that what you believe?