But what if it was a situation that you always knew the right way to respond? Sure, the stimuli might change but the response is always the same. Improvisation isn't needed any more. Nor is the guess work for what you will need in order to respond. All that is left is preparing yourself for that one response. That's it. One response - nothing more, nothing less.
I think that's what we encounter when it comes to Peter's admonition to always be prepared to give a defense for the hope that we have: "...in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."(ESV, 1 Peter 3:15).
We're told how to prepare even - by recognizing that Christ is Holy with the very core and essence of our being. All that we are is to worship Christ as Lord. And stemming from that we are told to always be prepared to make a defense when people ask us why we have hope. Our hope, the hope that is in us....that comes from Christ. Christ, who we revere as Holy, set apart, unique.
Does Christ touch each of us in unique ways? Absolutely. Does Christ ever work in us in a way that is anything less than Holy? No. He is Holy, He is Holiness itself. So while each person will have their own defense, their own story and words, every defense will have at its core Christ's Holiness.
So who is Christ? He is the Son of God. Christ is 100% Deity, containing the full measure of Godliness. He is the un-created one, the first and the last, the un-caused cause for all else, the eternal & infinite creator. And He is the Son of Man. Christ is 100% human. He is God with us, Emmanuel. He is God incarnate.
Do I fully understand what it means for Christ to be fully God and fully human? Honestly, it confuses me. But I would stake my life on it. Christ is fully God and fully man. He came to earth, was born of the virgin Mary, lived a sinless, perfect life, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified on a Roman cross, buried, and rose again from death to life everlasting. As a man, He died. As God, He felt the Father turn His face away. As Lord, He defeated death. As Savior, He rose again to offer new life to all who believe in His name.
Whatever your story, whatever Christ has done for you....I promise you that who He is and His death on the cross is the foundation of His grace in your life. And I promise you that He is the same always and forever.
Next time someone asks you for the hope you have, start with Christ. And if you don't know who He is....maybe it's time to change that.