Consistency


And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)


Have we asked ourselves why we roller coaster through our Christian walk? Victory sometimes can be grasps at an arm’s length and other times it does not seem to avail to us. David knew about the importance of consistency (Psa 51:10).


For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? (Luke 14:28)


Victory requires reckoning or accounting with regard to the issue of the cross. Weigh not on what is the gain, but on the loss. The next step of faith is to cut off (Matt 5:30) and put off (Eph 4:22). His grace avails deeply for us, but we have to weigh and be willing to suffer loss (Phil 3:8). There is no short cut but always remembering that His grace avails always. Keep in mind that the person who carries the cross is not dead but a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1). 'Dead' yet alive to a higher life (Rom 6:11), it is a mystery that can only be fully realized if we live on the foundation of grace. An Old Testament sacrifice is severed, place on the altar, burned with fire and reduced to the lowest irreversible and consistent form, ashes. The Lord is not concerned with the gruesomeness of the sacrifice but in the aroma it finally emits.


Consistency is a narrowing journey (Matt 7:13). We have to reckon and account for loss in order to end at the gates of the ‘Celestial City’ (Pilgrims Progress, John Bunyan). Loss in order for great gain (Matt 14:36). The secret to consistency is carrying the cross and following Jesus. He will never lead us the wrong way. Cross equals loss, the end of great gain.