Consistency

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

When we think of the word, ‘consistency,’ we may also think of the word, ‘constancy.’

The reason is because being consistent has the implication of being the same no matter the circumstances. Paul demonstrated that sort of consistency in his life. He was constant in his consistency. (I guess you could say there is a redundancy in that statement, since he was consistent – the implication is he was ALWAYS consistent.)

Redundancy aside, the reason Paul was consistent constantly is because of Who he consisted of.

“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a NEW creation.”(2 Cor 5:17)

There comes a time when this new creation is even demonstrated to itself, as its own manifestation. Sometimes the question is put: “What are you made of?” (Of what do you consist?)

Or, of Whom do you consist? When you consist of Christ it becomes evident to all only by the seasons of life. It happens when His strength or joy or love becomes evident in your life. You are consistently demonstrating the things only Christ can do.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi from a Roman jail. His joy is made complete in the knowing they are continuing on in the faith he carried to them through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His joy is made complete in the knowing God will be FAITHFUL to complete the good work He started in them – and in anyone else who receives Christ.

And this is what makes for consistency: it is that God is faithful. It is as simple and as wonderful as that. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. There is no depth, or width, or height – and certainly no Roman prison cell. For those who may be thinking Paul is in jail because of inconsistency, let them think again! Paul’s ministry at Philippi began in a Philippian jail, (see Acts 16,) and now he once more communicates his great love for them – from a Roman jail! How consistent with Christ’s sufferings.

-  Pastor Bill