Christian Life Principles - Part 6

Today we are continuing with our series, Christian Life Principles. Webster’s Dictionary’s defines the word principle as: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption; a rule or code of conduct.

The first principle we looked at was the principle of laying down our lives for others the same way Jesus laid His life down for us.

Then we looked at the principle of giving and we found that giving encompasses much more than finances!

We then looked at the principle of Staying Connected to God. The reason we have to stay connected is simple, we cannot live the Christian life without being connected to God and that connection is something that we need to make the decision to do.

Last week we examined the principle of faith. We found that without faith it is impossible to please God. He didn’t say without hope or without love, but without faith. Why? Because you and I cannot even believe that God exists without faith and that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. We also saw that the Christian life is a fight of faith!

The week before Father’s Day we looked at the principle of humility, or staying humble. We realized that this is something we constantly need to work on because human nature is prideful and pride never serves us well. But if we humble ourselves in God’s sight, He will raise us up and cause us to be good witnesses of Jesus.

Today we are looking at the principle of consistency or living a consistent life!

We’ll start with...

Philippians 4:10–13 NLT

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

A Consistent Life is Not Affected by Circumstances!

Our natural tendency as human beings is to be affected by our present situations. Whether it’s a financial situation, a health situation, a relational situation, we all by nature can get to operating inconsistently. One day we are on top of the world and the next day we can’t even move paralysed by our circumstances. But when we develop consistency in our walk with the Lord, the circumstances we face do not have a crippling affect on our lives. We operate the same. We are more even keel!

Psalm 119:4–6 The Living Bible

4 You have given us your laws to obey—5 oh, how I want to follow them consistently. 6 Then I will not be disgraced, for I will have a clean record.

A Consistent Life Gives Us a “Clean” Record!

Being inconsistent can cause us to do things irrationally. But, consistency will help to follow God and do what He desires for us to do. That way we will not be ashamed of our lives even though we are not perfect. We will follow God’s will more and more as we grow in consistency and develop a “clean” record with the One who counts most! God!

Revelation 3:15–16 TPT

15 I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth.

A Consistent Life Guards Against Lukewarmness!

Notice this letter to the church at Laodicea. They were not hot or cold but lukewarm. In other words they were not consistent in anything. They weren’t hot in their relationship with God and they weren’t cold either. They were not consistent. Sometimes they were kind of hot or maybe a little cool. We can get that way when we are not consistent. No one knows where you stand because it’s constantly shifting. Inconsistent equals lukewarm

Psalm 15:1–5 NLT

1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? 2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. 3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. 4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. 5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

A Consistent Life Does the Right Thing Even When It Hurts!

It’s relatively easy to be consistent when everything is going right. When the blessings come and overtake us. When we can do no wrong. It’s a whole different ballgame when what we promised to do now costs us everything and can really be a bummer for us. Consistency tells us no matter what, we don’t change our mind because it’s not fun anymore. No we stay consistent and complete what we promised! Even though is hurts!!

James 1:25 The Message

25 But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

A Consistent Life is a Life That Loves God’s Word!

It is so awesome to be consistent in our lives. Our words match our actions and vice versa. When we become consistent, we start to love the fact that we no longer vacillate but we are focused in the things that matter the most. Our relationship with God!