Unlimited: Fidelity That Stands the Test
Jan 3, 2024 676
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test (Romans 16:10a).
Our faithfulness to Christ will always be tested. In the Bible, this is a good thing, even to be desired, as the apostle James writes:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2–3.)
Apelles’ faith had been tried and having stood the test, had been found to be genuine. We don’t actually know what kind of persecution Apelles had endured; however, it appears, that Apelles’ story was well-known among the churches. Although there is no indication that Paul had personally met him, he makes a point of honouring him by greeting him in his letter.
We want the kind of fidelity to Christ that Apelles had: a faithfulness that stands the test.
Apelles’ faith is the kind of faith we need. We don’t want the kind of Christianity that is spiritually fickle and that depends on circumstances. We want the kind of fidelity to Christ that Apelles had: a faithfulness that stands the test.
While Apelles appears to have endured real, physical persecution, each one of us will need to face our own, though different, trials in life. However, what Paul writes here sounds jarringly illogical, and even impossible to us. How can you “consider it pure joy” when “you face trials of many kinds”?
Spiritual Application
Your faithfulness to Jesus will always be tested. Has your fidelity stood the test?
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