Listen to last week’s sermon The Underrated Quality of Consistency

The Transformative Power of Consistency

In our fast-paced world that celebrates instant success and dramatic transformations, we often overlook one of the most powerful forces shaping our spiritual journey: consistency. While this quality rarely makes headlines or draws attention, it stands as the foundation of lasting impact and genuine transformation.

Understanding True Biblical Consistency

Consider Scott Wilson, a high school janitor whose 30-year journey exemplifies the power of consistency. For three decades, he performed the same tasks: cleaning washrooms, mopping floors, and maintaining the school’s cleanliness. However, his true impact came through his consistent choice to engage with isolated or troubled students, remembering their names, interests, and struggles. Years later, hundreds of former students attributed their success and stability to Scott’s steady encouragement during their vulnerable teenage years.

The Three Pillars of Biblical Consistency

1. Consistency in Our Walk

• Walking by Faith – Making decisions based on God’s promises rather than circumstances (2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”)
• Walking in Light – Maintaining transparency and truth in daily life (1 John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”)
• Walking Worthy – Living in a manner that reflects our spiritual adoption (Ephesians 4:1 – “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”)
• Walking in Freedom – Breaking free from past bondages (Galatians 5:1 – “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”)
• Walking in Wisdom – Seeking godly counsel (Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”)
• Walking in Love – Demonstrating Christ’s character daily (Ephesians 5:2 – “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”)
• Walking in the Spirit – Living under the Spirit’s guidance (Galatians 5:16 – “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”)
• Walking Alert and Sober – Maintaining spiritual vigilance (1 Thessalonians 5:6 – “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”)

As Hebrews 5:12-14 reminds us, consistency in our spiritual walk leads to maturity and discernment. Without it, we remain spiritual infants, unable to distinguish good from evil.

2. Consistency in Our Ways

Like the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 10:1, where one dead fly can spoil precious perfume, our testimony requires unwavering integrity. In biblical times, perfume wasn’t just a luxury – it was valuable currency, traded and treasured. Yet something as tiny as a dead fly could ruin an entire batch, making it worthless. This powerful metaphor teaches us about the devastating impact of small compromises on our Christian witness.

Just as a merchant’s reputation could be ruined by one contaminated batch of perfume, our testimony can be damaged by seemingly small inconsistencies in our ways. Consider these areas where consistency matters:

• Truth in All Dealings – Even small deceptions can destroy trust
• Relationship Reconciliation – Jesus emphasized this in Matthew 5:23-24, instructing us to leave our gift at the altar and first be reconciled with our brother
• Character Alignment – Refusing to allow God to transform areas of our character
• Daily Choices – The small decisions that either build or erode our witness

When inconsistencies occur – and they will, as we’re all imperfect – the key lies in our response. Jesus teaches us to:

• Recognize our error quickly
• Take initiative in reconciliation
• Make genuine attempts to rectify mistakes
• Show the same grace we’ve received from the Lord

Our ways must reflect not just our church attendance or Bible reading, but the transformative impact of God’s Word on our daily choices and character. This consistent alignment between our professed faith and lived experience becomes our most powerful testimony.

3. Consistency in Our Work

1 Corinthians 15:58 encourages us to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Like Paul, who fought the good fight and finished the race, we’re called to maintain consistency in our service to God, knowing our labor isn’t in vain.

Consider the snail that reached Noah’s ark. While other animals rushed in with speed and power, the snail’s consistent progress, step by step, ultimately achieved the same goal. This teaches us that faithful persistence, though slower, leads to divine purposes.

Jesus demonstrated perfect consistency in His character, promises, and love. Through His sacrifice, we receive the grace to develop this same quality in our walk, ways, and work. As James 1:25 promises, those who look intently into God’s perfect law and continue in it will be blessed in what they do.

Whether you’re a parent shaping young lives, a worker serving behind the scenes, or a retiree offering wisdom and prayers, your consistent faithfulness matters to God. As Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Watch the sermon here: