Preparation for Martyrs

Writing to persecuted Christians, Peter now instructs them on how to live when they have to stand with Christ against resistance. He tells them to fear God and not man and be prepared with an answer to explain their hope. But standing with Christ and giving an answer is not sufficient for a truly saintly response. The Christian must make his stand with gentleness and respect, even for his persecutor, and he must see to it that he is not under trial for wickedness. That is the kind of witness that brings honor to Christ under resistance.