Saturday, November 21, 2009

consistency...possible?

Consistency. Why does that seem to be so difficult. I speak specifically of this little blog thinger-ma-jig. I think I write maybe twice a year. I would like to be more consistent, and perhaps I am at a time in life when I can be!


What about consistency in the walk of following Christ. Wow, doesn't that seem like a mighty task! We are told in Romans 7 of the war that rages within us between the spirit and the flesh, and what a battle it is. Think about the daily things in life we must strive for consistency in: daily time in God's word, prayer, keeping the house cleaned, staying in touch with family and friends and so on. And that doesn't even touch on God's commands and the putting on of Christ. striving to be consistent in patience, in joy, in self-control, of kindness, of love! Whew...we sure have enough to keep us busy for a lifetime and beyond. Galatians 5 challenges us to walk by the Spirit. A walk is something that is consistent, persevering and focused.

So how are we to get this consistency...or keep this consistency? In and of ourselves we cannot. Only those bought by the blood of Jesus have been given the power of the Holy Spirit and through Christ are continually be transformed and purified. We are in a battle, we must bear up, put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6) and FIGHT! The only way to a consistent lifestyle is by trusting Jesus alone to change you. We still will fall, and when that happens, what will we do? Will we give up in hopelessness? One of the definitions of consistent is "fixed, firm." We must be fixed on our course, we must be fixed on the end goal, we must be fixed upon Jesus Christ - The perfect one who lived a perfectly consistent and righteous life to pay the penalty for your sin. I believe a key to staying, or even striving for consistency in all areas is to first and foremost set your mind upon Jesus Christ, His perfect life and what He has done in showing His amazing love for you.

"How deep the Father's love for us,
vast beyond all measure.
That He should give His only Son,
to make a wretch His treasure."

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