在餐廳裡，柏恩把簽帳金融卡放在帳單上。服務生仔細看著這張簽帳金融卡，疑惑地問：「這個說『我就是道路、真理、生命』的傢伙是誰啊？這麼自以為是！」柏恩是基督徒，那張金融卡是由他所經營的金融公司發行的，上面印著耶穌在約翰福音14章6節所說的話。柏恩覺得服務生的反應很有趣，便向他解釋「這傢伙」的身分，以及耶穌如何犧牲自己，使我們可以到上帝面前。

當我們碰到對基督信仰一無所知的人時，我們的反應可能是譏笑，甚至是批評。但是使徒彼得勸勉我們：「有人問你們心中盼望的緣由，就要常作準備，以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人」（彼得前書3章15節）。在歌羅西書4章6節，使徒保羅解釋了如此回應會產生的結果：「你們的言語要常常帶著和氣，好像用鹽調和，就可知道該怎樣回答各人。」正如在食物裡加鹽可以增添風味一樣，用鹽調和的回應能吸引人來瞭解我們的基督信仰。

那些完全不認識耶穌的人，可能會在我們意想不到的地方提出各種問題。當我們以溫柔、和氣的態度回答，就會像用鹽調和一樣，吸引發問的人渴望更進一步明白聖經真理。

Bert placed his debit card atop the restaurant bill. The waiter scooped it up and then paused to ask, “Wait, who is this guy who says, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life?’ That’s so conceited!” Bert realized the waiter was reacting to the words printed on the card by his Christian financial company—Jesus’ words from John 14:6. Amused at the waiter’s response, Bert explained the identity of “this guy” and His sacrificial offering to bring us to God.

When we encounter people who know nothing about our faith, we might respond with ridicule or even judgment. But the apostle Peter challenged us, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). Then he warned, “Do this with gentleness and respect” (v. 15). In Colossians 4:6, Paul explained the power of such a response, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Just as salt on our food enhances flavor, salty answers invite others to come closer to faith.

Questions may come in surprising settings from those completely unfamiliar with Jesus. When we respond with gentleness and grace, our answers offer a saltiness that entices questioners to yearn for more.