Acts 29 – A Consistent Christianity
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”- John 10:27
It would seem that one of the most frustrating things in the life of a Believer is the struggle to
live a life which is CONSISTENT with Biblical precepts done in a DAILY CONSISTENT basis. With
an excess of media, ads, entertainment and activities that does not promote GODLY living, one
could easily say that a consistent Christianity is thoroughly elusive. However, we should have good
reasons to believe and be assured that we have a God and a Holy Spirit that can permeate our lives
if we allow it.
The Lord abhors duplicity or hypocrisy. Matthew 15:8 asserts, “This people draweth nigh
unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
Surprisingly, the unbelieving world hates hyprocrisy as well. Our impact is diminished if we do not
aim to be consistent with our Biblical beliefs and practises in all aspects of our lives.
The Bible is consistent with itself when studied correctly. Scripture does not contradict itself
when rightly divided. God's Word is truth when handled accurately. 2 Timothy 2: 14-16 “Of these
things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to
no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman
that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain
babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” We must be consistent in the study of our
Bible personally.
A man is what he thinks about all day long. Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” We are what we think as asserted by
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:…” It is very critical that we nurture the
nature of our minds. We must be consistent in out thought life.
The Apostle Peter was condemned by Paul for being inconsistent in his actions as seen
in Galatians 2:14 “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel,
I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as
do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?” A great thinker once
penned, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” We must
be consistent in our conduct.
As God’s people, we sometimes forget the power of prayer and that we have a Friend which
sticketh closer than a brother. Ephesians 3:20 magnified God, “Now unto him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” We
are commanded to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We must be consistent in our
prayer life.
It is high time that we Baptist believers move away from our complacency, our apathy and
our almost lethargic approach to Christianity. It is time that we stand up for truth, live out the truth,
and when necessary die for the truth. Then, we would have consistently created an impact and
influence that will outlast our mortal temporal and fleeting lives…all for God Glory.
