Acts #97 Trials Confirm Your Faith Is Genuine

God sends trials into your life that your faith in Jesus Christ might be shown to be genuine (the real thing and not some counterfeit).

Jesus gave a parable about different responses people have to God’s Word. The first kind of person is hardened and there is no faith in God’s Word at all. The second kind of person has a temporary faith in God’s Word, but when trials and persecution arise in standing for the truth, he/she is not willing to endure hardship for the doctrine of Jesus Christ. The third kind of person also has a temporary faith and even shows some evidence of life, but his/her love of the world, the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the approval of men chokes out the love for Jesus Christ and His truth. The fourth kind of person has saving faith and brings forth lasting fruit in sanctification (some 30, 60, or 100 fold).

Which of these persons are you today? Only the last person is the one that truly evidences a faith in Jesus Christ, that continues in the face of trials and afflictions in life, that endures the temptations brought against it by the world, the flesh, and the devil, and that perseveres against all opposition to bear fruit out of love for Christ and to the glory of God.

The Apostle Paul’s life was one of great adversity, and even when there was a time of rest, the enemy only rested it seemed in order to wage a stronger battle next time. Let us consider this conflict that Paul faced once again from the Jews for his comfort in Christ. The main points from our text are these: (1) The Vicious Jews Forget Not Their Hatred for Paul (Acts 25:1-5); (2) Paul Appeals for Justice to the Romans (Acts 25:6-12).