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Answer
God’s nature is characterized by consistency (Malachi 3:6; Psalm 102:27). “He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:17; NLT; see also Malachi 3:6). Jesus Christ is “the same yesterday and today and forever” «Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. », (Hebrews 13:8).
Because of God’s consistency, His purposes and plans “stand firm forever” (Psalm 33:11; Job 36:5). His Word is always true (Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29), trustworthy «Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. », (Psalm 145:13), and eternal (Isaiah 40:8; Psalm 119:89). God’s plan of redemption remains constant throughout the Old and New Testament (Genesis 12:2-3; Hebrews 6:17-18; Galatians 3:8), and His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 89:2; Psalm 136:1-26; 2 Timothy 2:13).
God is consistent, reliable, and dependable in everything, and He calls His followers to demonstrate consistency in their faith, service, and witness «but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation» (1 Peter 1:15).
sation; », (1 Peter 1:15). The apostle Paul urged believers to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received” «I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, », (Ephesians 4:1) and “whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” «Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; », (Philippians 1:27).
What does consistency in the Christian life look like in the day-to-day application? How can it be achieved? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His followers where to start (Matthew 6:19-34). A consistent walk of faith flows from a deeply committed love relationship with God. We devote ourselves wholly to Him (verse 24) and seek His kingdom above everything else (verse 33). We invest our time, treasure, talents, and energy preparing for eternity in God’s kingdom, where we will receive our heavenly reward (verses 19–21). We consistently meet with other believers to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25;Acts 2:46), and we dedicate ourselves to the Word of God, to fellowship in the body of Christ, and to prayer «And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. », (Acts 2:42).
The consistent believer realizes that lifeOn Earth, with all its temptations, afflictions, enticements, and rewards, is only temporary and fleeting (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Since every worldly prize and human trial will disappear one day, we focus on the never-fading promises of heaven and spend our days in holy and godly living (2 Peter 3:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1).
James taught believers to meet challenges and tests of faith with joy and endurance so that they grow and develop into fully mature and complete Christians (James 1:2-18). Consistency in the face of suffering and trials produces Christian maturity. A mature consistency of doctrine grounds us in the truth. Paul described being “mature in the Lord” as “measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:13-15; NLT).
God calls Christians to consistently serve Him by doing good works (Hebrews 13:16; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:15, 20-21; 4:19; 3:8-13). Paul wrote, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” «Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuchH as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58). He urged the Galatians, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10).
Scripture also calls us to consistency in our testimony of faith (Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 14:5; Matthew 5:37; James 5:12; Acts 4:20; 1 Corinthians 9:16). Paul declared, “We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you” “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.” (2 Corinthians 1:12, NLT). An unswerving, fully committed Christian life is a powerful testimony, earning the respect of believers and nonbelievers alike (1 Thessalonians 4:12; Hebrews 13:7; 1 Timothy 3:7; Colossians 4:5-6).
