Consistent

Galatians 6: 7 - 10, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJV

The biggest part of being successful at anything, including being a Christian, is to be consistent. No one has ever won a competition by throwing up their hands and quitting. Throughout the Word of God, we're commanded to persevere and to keep the faith when troubles rage against us. In chapter 12 of Hebrews, the writer teaches us to run the race that is set before us with endurance. Likewise, Paul tells us in Philippians 3 to press toward the goal that we might win the prize.

It's easy to start something new in our lives, but it takes consistency, determination, and discipline to complete a goal or win a competition. Therefore, the Lord prompted me today to write this word to encourage anyone who may be struggling to continue in the good fight of faith. As Christians, we are instructed by the Lord, that in order to receive our just reward, we must keep the faith and continue steadfast, until we cross the finish line. Do you remember what happened to the generation of Israelites who came out of Egypt? There were a lot of them; nevertheless, none was allowed to enter the Promised Land, except Joshua and Caleb. Why? It was because only Joshua and Caleb consistently kept the faith and remained submitted to God's will.

Are you involved in a local church? As a pastor of a church for 12 years, I've seen many believers who have put their hands to the plow and committed to the work of God; however, after a short season, some lost the vision and stopped plowing. You might say that they grew weary while doing the Lord's service. Paul admonishes us in today's scripture to continue sowing to the Spirit so that we will reap everlasting life.

Whenever a believer commits to God's work, whether it's in a church or out in the world, we are sowing to the Spirit. If for any reason, we should stop sowing, then we will also cease reaping the blessings. Let me further add that if we aren't sowing to the Spirit, we are sowing to the flesh, and we will reap a harvest of (weeds) corruption. In today's society, it seems that more believers are falling prey to inconsistency. However, we know from Paul's teachings that this will disrupt our harvest of blessings because we've stopped sowing into the Lord's kingdom.

Once again, I have watched the Lord bless His children whenever they committed to serve His kingdom purpose in the local church. Many have gone from very hard and harsh situations to becoming blessed with the Lord's favor. Even so, before long, consistency began to give way to convenience, and determination gave way to distraction. Consequently, after a while, the very ones that God had so graciously blessed would be gone from the church.

All of us will one-day stand before the judgment seat of Christ, as Christians, and we will give an account for the things that we have done in this life (2 Corinthians 5: 10). If we have pleased the Lord, then we will receive a great reward and a crown of life, but if we should allow inconsistency to stop us from walking by faith, then we will suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3: 15). You and I both should realize that we are, indeed, living in the last days. We can see the love of believers growing cold toward the Lord and His work, just as Jesus prophesied in Matthew 24. Nevertheless, as we see these things coming to pass, it should encourage us all-the-more to keep our eyes on Jesus, our hands on the plow, and sow, sow, sow!

I pray that the Lord will strengthen you with might in the inner man and that His grace will empower you to keep consistently running the race before you. You can do it because you have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within you. Lean on His strength and allow Him to carry you victoriously across the finish line.

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize,
Pastor Asa Dockery