by John Thomas
Paul standing before King Agrippa in Acts 26:2 "I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews".
It is a good thing to represent yourself. That way you can answer for your actions without worry that someone else will misrepresent you. When we stand before God in judgement, we will get to answer for our own actions. Will you be ready to represent yourself? You will not be misrepresented. It will be you and God. Are you ready to answer?
I submit that we must practice answering here on earth, so we will be prepared to answer on that day. Some pointers on answering:
Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer tumeth away wrath."
1 Peter 3:15 "and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
1 Peter 3:16 and 21 - and you must answer with a good conscience toward God!
Colossians 4:6 " Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."
Are you ready to answer?
Proverbs 18:13 " He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. "
2 Timothy 2:15 - to know how to answer, we must study. We must WORK, so we won't be ashamed (to answer right).
1) Have a soft answer - don't be a know-it-all that has to prove a point! Be easy with people.
2) Be prepared to answer - not to show how much you know - but so you can share your REASON for the hope you have in God. You must show your humbleness, not your knowledge.
3) Conscience - remember that word?
4) Salt is a preserver - remember your words will last a long time! Be gracious!
5) Hear the whole conclusion of the matter before you make a judgement or give a hasty answer. Or you might end up looking foolish and feeling ashamed.
6) It takes great effort to fmd great answers. But like all things valuable, it is worth every effort in the end!