“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15 - NKJV)”. Christians are said to be those who believed and obeyed the gospel of Christ; they are those who heard the gospel, believed in Christ, repented of their sins, confessed Christ as Son of God, and those who were baptized into Christ (Romans 10:17; John 14:1; Acts 3:19; Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38). Yes, Christians are those who put on Christ through baptism (Galatians 3:27). As Christians, we have the responsibility to defend what we received from our God, as Peter encouraged us on 1 Peter 3:15, we are to be always ready to give a defense; that is to be always ready to give reasons for regarding the gospel of Christ that we obeyed as true in the best manner that we are able. We must understand how to react if any man will come and attack the faith that we embraced, some will even ridicule us for being Christians, we are to be always on guard and be able to defend the truth. God had given us the perfect armor to build up our defense: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-18 - NKJV)”. We are to put on the whole armor that was provided to us by God, we are to put it on and use it in the most responsible way. Peter reminded us to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Bereans received the word with all readiness and searched the scriptures daily to prove all things, and Paul urged us that we should live of the gospel (2 Peter 3:18; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 9:14). “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 - NKJV)”. Let us hold our ground, be firm and unshaken in the hope that we have, for we know of a truth that those who will succeed in defending will receive a just reward reserved in heaven.
