Be Consistent in Your Faith and Conduct
Updated: Oct 1
Rev. Tse Amable | September 29 2024 | John 18:1-11
KEY VERSE:
“Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, BECAUSE JESUS HAD OFTEN MET THERE WITH HIS DISCIPLES.” John 18:2 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Another example worthy of emulation we can learn from Jesus Christ is he was very consistent in the good things he did. There were certain things which became custom for him. For example, in Luke 4:16, we read: “He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, AS WAS HIS CUSTOM. And he stood up to read”.
From the verse above, Jesus Christ had a custom or a habit of going to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. I do not think there was a Sabbath day on which our Master did not join his fellow Jews in the worship of Jehovah.
From our key verse, Jesus Christ had another custom of going to Gethsemane (the Kidron Valley) either to pray, meditate on the word of God, rest or just have fellowship with his disciples. The Lord was so consistent with this habit or custom that Judas Iscariot knew for sure where he could take the Roman soldiers to arrest him. And he was spot on! The soldiers found the Lord at the location Judas Iscariot took them to.
Another person who was very consistent with his discipline of prayer was Prophet Daniel. His adversaries knew for sure that Prophet Daniel would defy any decree which outlawed praying to any deity. That was why they misled King Darius to pass that law. And just as they knew Prophet Daniel to be, the man of God broke the law. The Bible says: “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, JUST AS HE HAD DONE BEFORE” (Daniel 6:10). Prophet Daniel was consistent with his custom of praying to his God and no decree passed by a human being could stop him.
I recommend that you have a habit or custom of reading and studying the Bible, praying, worshipping and fellowshipping regularly with your fellow believers among other spiritual disciplines.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
What is your custom or habit which your family members and friends know you for? Can anyone bet and win that you will be found in the house of God any day that the doors are opened?
PRAYER: Father, help me to be consistent with what I believe, do and say. Let me never stop doing the good things I am doing but rather let me do more even in the face of difficulties and challenges. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: OFTEN
The word "often" in our key verse comes from the Greek pollakis (πολλάκις), meaning frequently or many times. It conveys the idea of repeated and consistent actions.
In John 18:2, "often" refers to Jesus’ regular habit of going to Gethsemane with His disciples. This consistent pattern of behaviour was so well-established that Judas knew exactly where to find Him. It highlights Jesus' commitment to prayer and fellowship in a familiar place.
The word "often" emphasizes the importance of consistency in spiritual disciplines. Jesus’ repeated actions teach us that forming regular spiritual habits—like prayer, Bible study, and fellowship—anchors our faith and prepares us for life’s challenges. Consistency in faith builds resilience and draws us closer to God.
Reflections:
How often are you engaging in the spiritual habits that strengthen your relationship with God? What consistent practices can you develop to keep your faith grounded and strong?
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