The Bible is replete with passages that talk about God's people going through trials for their faith. God allows fiery trials to prove the extent of your love for Him. Every believer at some point will experience fiery trial in one form or another. The good news is that trials will always come to pass - they are timed to last for a season and not designed to destroy the believer.

The Word of God is infallible. Some people doubt the veracity of God's word when they compare references in the Old Testament with the words of Jesus in our key text. They support their ungodly retaliatory actions with the misinterpretation of these Scriptures: (Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:19-20; Deuteronomy 19:18-21). But these verses do not in any way support retaliation. The judges are to apply them to convicted persons while the law enforcement officers (not the victims) execute the court orders.

The Berean believers were commended because they searched the Scriptures daily to confirm what they heard from gospel preachers. Understanding the Scriptures brings about salvation, growth and establishment in the faith. It is the Word of God in the heart that makes solid, stable and consistent believers. The knowledge of God's word brings freedom from deception - John 8:32.

Sentence is the punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offence. A deferred sentence is a sentence that is suspended until after a defendant has completed a period of probation. If the defendant fulfills the stipulations surrounding probation, a judge may then throw out the sentence and guilty plea, clearing the incident from their record.

The exhortation to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints was given because of the prevalence of false apostles in the early church. These false apostles or deceitful workers are also in the church today, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. They preach another Jesus, proclaim another gospel, and operate by another spirit - 2 Corinthians 11:4.