“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; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.” I Pet. 3:15-16 (NKJV)
Why do you believe what you believe? Furthermore, do you believe it enough to live by it? What good does it do for us to declare what we believe and then violate it by our actions? When Peter wrote the above, Christians were being accused of all manner of evil. They were being persecuted and killed because they were preaching a gospel unfamiliar to the society of that day.
They were asked questions concerning what they believed about the man Jesus and God Almighty. “Explain your hope of salvation and a future life,” was a question they were asked. When that question was answered, they had to be ready to back it up with their conduct or even their lives. In that situation you have to be sure of what you believe. Martyrs do not die for something they do not believe.
Early Christians were willing to die for what they believed because they were convinced it was true. Skeptics of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would want us to believe that it is a story made up and told by the disciples and Apostles to fool the world. Were they then ready to die for what they knew was a lie? They knew that their “hope” was real. They had met the risen Christ. I have met the risen Christ. Have you? My faith is not based on another man doctrine or opinion. Opinions and doctrines can be wrong, but Jesus Christ is real. When you really meet Him you will know it. Are you ready to give a defense for the hope that is in you? Or, would too much pressure cause you to give up the hope?
Do you really believe what you say you believe? Then live like you do!