A Matter of Consistency

At the Sunday night service, the subject of consistency came up.  We were discussing 1 John 3, and the practice of righteousness.  As a musician, I have learned the distinct and certain value of consistency in practicing.  But consistency does not mean repetition without focus.  Instead, consistency that serves the purpose of growth is focus, intent on repetition for the purpose of improvement.  In relation to the practice of righteousness, we must say that consistency serves the purpose of increasing in dependence upon the Word of God and reliance upon His grace to sustain us from moment to moment.  Let us then strive to become consistent in obedience to the Lord.

Consistency, the Great Task of Man

Consistency.  It is the key to both great growth and great devastation.  For instance, if one is consistent in practicing the violin, she will in time become an excellent violinest.  But by that same right, the man who is consistent in drinking will undoubtedly become an alcoholic.  It is consistency, the daily trudge of one foot in front of the other like so many times before. that we need to bring to the Christian lifestyle in force.  It is the great practice of Christianity, the day-to-day devotion, that is the task for Christians.  We should never forget this truth; let it form the sure and good rituals of life in Christ!

No Substitute for Consistency

Consistency is key.  Doing something with consistency is the surefire way to master it.  Spiritually speaking, this means that bad habits become ingrained while good habits become mastered.

This means that habitual sins that are not dealt with become more and more stubborn.  The only way to overcome consistent unrepentant sin that stems from habits is to change our habits.  When we replace bad habits with healthy ones, we set ourselves on paths to godliness.

An equal measure of consistency is needed to replace habitual sin with godly habits.  Consistency is an attitude as much as a practice in scheduling.  It is not enough to merely plan to be consistent,  effective consistency demands that consistency is purposed for growth and improvement.

In the end, becoming a consistent Christian requires an eye on sanctification and a desire to grow in godliness.  Because of all this, there is no substitute for intentional consistency in the life of the Christian.  Let us, then, make it our goal to be consistent Christians!

The Key is Consistency

Consistency is key.  No matter how strong or smart a person is, if they are inconsistent, they will be ineffective.  For instance, in baseball the most important position is the pitcher.  And time and time again a young gun slinger who is able to throw all the ball like a bullet but is so inconsistent in his performance will prove to be unable to make it in the pros.

Consistency is key.  Christianity is all about consistency.  Think of all the people who, because of rushes of the Holy Spirit and emotional experiences, have given themselves to Christ, been baptized, even gone to church a few times, yet because of their inconsistency have failed to reach the point of bearing fruit.

Consistency is key.  Think of the words of Joshua: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from you mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make you way prosperous, and then you will have good success (Josh. 1:8)."

Consistency is key.  While Joshua was specifically addressing the Israelites as they were about to take possession of the Promised Land, his words still ring true for believers today.  For living a life that is dedicated to Christ requires that we "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matt. 22:37)."

Consistency is key.  This means that we will build good, godly habits and that we will become slaves to those habits.  The right word to describe this is practice; to live for Christ is to practice a life that is in love with Him, devoted to Him, and obedient to Him.  It is true that this requires an active believer that is intentional to live for Him daily, if not moment by moment.  For truly, consistency is key.