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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15b-16 NIV
When someone asks you why you believe in Christ, how do you respond?
I am not very evangelistic. Initiating conversations with people, especially strangers, does not come easy. And it’s not so much that I don’t want to talk with them as much as it is that I don’t know how. But Peter is not talking about initiating the conversation here. He is assuming that someone else has initiated the conversation. And that they have asked about the hope I have in Christ. Likely because they see something different in me. And when that happens, I need to always be prepared to share my faith with them, including why I believe it. This comes much easier for me. I may not be able to answer every theological question someone asks. But I can tell you why I believe, and I am quite willing to do so.
As you give an answer to the one inquiring, be respectful of them and their beliefs. You do not have to agree with them, but you should deal with them in a loving manner. Becoming confrontational or angry with them will just negate anything you have to tell them and drive them away. You would be better off just being quiet.
