Defend the Faith

1 Peter 3:8-22

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet. 3:15, NASB).

I finish my one hour on the treadmill. I am about to go to do some strength exercises. “Ole school” come here the young man says. He is talking to a friend that is telling him about his two year old daughter being sick. The young man says to his friend, “he is a nurse, ask him.” Our conversation begins with the young father telling me about his daughter. I recommend that he go to the pharmacist and ask the pharmacist for advice on medication. Our conversation makes a transition into writing and then into writings in original languages. This leads into a discussion on religion; and especially as to biblical writings and the Scriptures. The young man expresses his apprehension about the Scriptures and how they have been explained and used over the centuries. As we talk I am reminded of Peter’s command to his Christian audience to always be ready to defend their faith and to be able to give reasons for their hope of eternal life. With this in mind I want to ask this question: Are you able and ready to defend the faith? I will base this article on Peter’s writing “to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen” (1 Pet. 1:1, NASB).

Peter writes this letter to “aliens,” meaning Christians that are Gentiles. He writes to assure them of their salvation because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross on their behalf for the securing of their salvation. This is a time when these Gentile Christians are being persecuted. They have left their old lifestyles; their old religious beliefs and customs. They have joined a new group that claim that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the way to God and eternal life. Some have severed ties with their communities; their families and friends. Peter encourages them by reminding them of their hope of resurrection through Jesus Christ (1:3). They are “protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (v. 5). They are to “greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by trials” (v. 6). Peter further tells them how they are to live among each other and in the world. He tells them that God has an image of them, and He has expectations of them (2:4-10). Still, the question is how they are to respond when they are persecuted for their faith and new found religion.

The question might seem strange to many of us. We live with the notion that in America there is freedom of religion just as there is freedom of speech. This belief is based on the idea that a person can practice his or her religion as they see fit. So, we go to our churches on Sunday mornings. We return home and resume our daily routines. We don’t see a problem. In our minds, our problems are financial, petty jealousies, political, racial, and matters of social justice. We try to resolve these issues through laws that address social justice, ethics, and moral percussions. Thus, what Peter writes to these Christians may seem foreign to us, because we are not being persecuted for testifying to the name of Jesus, and His commandments are not the basis of our morality and ethical conduct.

In the Scriptures God does not allow for moral relativism, pluralism, naturalism, and individualism. Rather, Jesus is Lord, and His Word is immutable. God does not change and His ways and thoughts do not change. In America today we are not likely to be persecuted as long as we do not proclaim the name Jesus, and we do not stand firm on issues and principles based on our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The people that Peter writes to do not enjoy such escape mechanisms. Their lives are changed. Their motivations are changed. Their relationships are changed. Thus, there is much tension and resentment. These new converts are now being persecuted. Peter writes these words: “Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (3:13-14, NASB). Instead they are to be ready to defend their faith and hope to everyone that asks. Are you able and ready to defend your faith? How can we be prepared?

First, we must be sure of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Peter says that we are to “sanctify Christ in your hearts.” We are to regard God as holy. We are to act toward God as holy. We are to desire that God be honored. This means that we have confidence in God. We acquiesce in His requirements as if they were just and good. Our confidence is in God. We fear God, and our reverence for God puts our minds at ease when attacked and ridiculed. We are calm in the face of dangers and we have no fear. Let us list some examples”

David writes: “Even though I walk through the valley and the shadow of death, I fear no evil; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4, NASB). God protects us against all of our foes, and we are confident that no other power can defeat our God. “The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread (Ps. 27:1, NASB). God leads me and guides me. He knows the way that I should go. I do not regard the way of the unjust and the evil one. I am confident that just as He was in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew boys (Dan. 3:16), He will be with me in the most dangerous times and places. Nothing can destroy me because “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of sea” (Ps 46:1-2, NASB).

Secondly, we must have knowledge of God’s Word. I do not mean that it is necessary that we be able to quote a lot of scriptures. We do need to believe that the Scriptures tell us about Jesus Christ; His person and His work of salvation. Our own reasoning and the world’s ideas are insufficient. In the Gospel of John the Pharisees reject Jesus because they think that the Law of Moses points them to God. Jesus says to them: ‘“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (Jn. 5:39-40), NASB). Thus, the Scriptures tell us about the Savior who gives us life.

Thirdly, we can expect to have our faith challenged. America is a place of many religious faiths. Many people believe that all faiths lead to the same God. Everyone has a right to believe what they want to. As long as we remain silent about our faith it is not likely that we will be rejected and persecuted. However, when we state our belief in Jesus Christ as the only way to God we can expect to encounter oppositions.

Finally, many of the older church members take notice that young people are leaving the church. There are many reasons given, and I believe that most of the reasons have some merit. However, I believe that most people are like the young man that I talked to. They do not have a reason to believe. They are unable to address the opposition though knowledge of the Scriptures. Yong people, especially those who are in high school and college have their faith tested daily. They are presented with information from the field of science that claims to prove that the Scriptures are inaccurate and misunderstood. They want proof, but they are unable to show their opponents that the evidence that they are presenting is not proof by their own scientific method. They have made a social change in their life, but they have never sanctified Christ in their hearts. They are unable to accept rejection and bullying from schoolmates, families and friends. Everyone needs to belong, but they are not a part of the accepted crowds. Thus, many people are turning away from the church. They are abandoning the faith. These things show us that there is a need to equip people to defend the faith.