A Necessary Apology

Most of us have done something wrong, offered an apology and heard, “there is no need for an apology”.  But we thought there was a need and so we made an apology.  An apology is, in some ways, a defense.  When you apologize for something you say “you’re sorry” but there’s usually more to it.  There is usually some type of defense of your action.  “I’m sorry that I yelled at you…I’ve had a rough day”.  The defense is the statement, “I’ve had a rough day”.  It’s your reason for why you yelled.

In 1 Peter chapter 3, Paul says that all of us should be ready to give a defense.  Let’s read verse 15:  ¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;  The Greek word translated “defense” is the same word from which we derive the English word, “apology”.  Peter is challenging us to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us.  We are to make a defense, with meekness and fear.  I like the challenge to “always be ready”.  I suspect that very few of us wake up in the morning thinking, “today I will share the truth about what Jesus has done for me”.  That’s not usually the first thought when our feet hit the floor.  But whether it is our first thought or not, we should be ready to talk about Jesus.  We should be ready to give that defense.  And we should do it with meekness and fear.  We should never try to “cram” the good news of Jesus down anyone’s throat.  That wouldn’t be very meek.  But, rather, with humility, we can and should tell others about Jesus Christ.  It is the only reasonable offense.  We don’t have to apologize for knowing Jesus, but we can and should make an “apology” regarding the difference that He has made in our lives.