Faithfulness is work! It is hard won and hard maintained. Hanging in there and keeping it all going in the right direction is a full-time job that never sleeps. One of the challenges in remaining faithful is consistency. Another is the diversity of expression that faithfulness encompasses.
Consistency, from a biblical angle, means steadfastly devoting oneself to the belief and expression of the tenets of the faith. It isn’t only believing these truths intellectually (you have to start somewhere and intellectual pursuit is NOT contrary to Christianity), but also “believing them” by living in light of them. Taking a step out to live a certain way demands a commitment to that way or any old thing can happen.
Sometimes we take steps in our lives that are not as purposeful as others. Sometimes we float down the stream like the “Lazy River” ride at a water park…going around in a big circle, but enjoying the leisure of it all! Consistent “faith living” is all about purpose. We must come to grips with the truths of God’s message to us puny humans and purposefully choose to employ them in every area of our lives.
This is one of the problems with the Christian life. Often we see the truth of God’s word, its demand on our lives and inject it into only part of our life (i.e., Sunday morning church, Wednesday Bible study, Saturday work day, mid-week service to community, etc.), but refuse to inject our change or passively “Lazy River” the rest of our life so that we look like everyone else in the world. We produce, in this instance, a schizophrenic Christianity where we fragment our lives, dependent on the circumstances. On the one hand, at church and with church people, we look faithful; on the other hand, out and about, we look like Jesus hasn’t done anything for us and we might not be changed at all. This, unfortunately, only leads to disappointment and further longing for the truth to be played out in our hearts. The struggle in this inconsistent life expression is highly unsatisfying and may lead to questioning the existence of a God who still works in the world.
(As an aside, I am not talking about a consistent faithful life that reads like a sappy Christian novel where NO ONE talks in language other than the KJV or that NO ONE struggles with anything and, if they do, they are ALWAYS victorious. I am talking about honest people, before a gracious (yet righteous) God, being honest and submissive to the only one that can help us through this junk heap of a world.)
The basis for all faithfulness in Christ is keeping everything in Christ. The foundation is Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11). The purpose is Christ (Ephesians 1:9-10). The object is Christ (Hebrews 12:2). The goal is Christ (Philippians 3:14). The reward is Christ (John 14:1-3 and Colossians 3:24). Just like the book of Colossians says in chapter 1:15-20, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the world is all in all.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (NASB)
If we don’t get this first, it will not matter how “faithful” you are in doing stuff. If it is not based on a right relationship with Him, NOTHING else matters whatsoever!
So what do we do with this, having chosen to be consistent spiritually before God and now challenged with the diversity of life that faithfulness encompasses?
The picture with this note shows three areas of Christian life expression wherein we can and must demonstrate a consistent life walk based on the right relationship outlined: Our money (the dime), our time (the watchband) and our relationships (the breath mint). I will be looking at these practical areas in the days ahead. Until then, keep it focused on the right thing. His name is Jesus!
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