When those who do not know the Lord personally approach us, inquiring about this hope we find in and through Christ, we need to be ready to account for the reason for this hope.
We need to be ready to give a defence of our faith to anyone or any group—to the healing and prosperity gospel preachers, to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, to the ZCC, to the Shembes, to the Muslims, and even to some aspects of our own cultures that require us to account why we cannot conform to the culture, for the sake of Christ.
You need to present the gospel and the reason for it. The Lord may use even that particular opportunity to bring salvation to the curious enquirer, sceptic, or even abusive person, through the presentation of the reason for our hope.
15 but 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,