CONSISTENCY | AdventAI

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 9, 1860

CONSISTENCY.

INCONSISTENCY in conduct always brings a man's own christianity into suspicion. Some are inconsistent in their secret practices; they profess great respect for the Bible, and yet read it in such a negligent, hurried way, as can yield no profit; they profess that prayer is the Christian's life, and yet see them in their closet, and there is no life or power or fervor in their prayer; they profess to be led by the Spirit, and yet their conduct and temper must grieve the Spirit; they pray not to be led into temptation, and yet trace them for twenty-four hours, and you see them leading themselves into temptation. Now these are real inconsistencies, which bring a man's religion into discredit; and the same inconsistency will mark his outward conduct. If his intercourse with others is marked by a frivolous spirit which serious godliness forbids; if his chosen associates are giddy and worldly minded; if the books he reads are trifling and frothy; if his manner be flippant and his dress vain; then every one will put him down as a very inconsistent man. He may not be immoral, but he does not edify; he may not do things positively wrong, but he does things which do not recommend his religion; he allows himself in practices, which, though the world approves, the Bible condemns; he will not drink or swear, but he will mix willingly with those who do and never reprove them. When you see one of this stamp, you see a man whose inconsistency damages the christianity he professes; he is a stumbling block to weak believers, and brings reproach upon the name of Christ.

Consistency is essential to Christian usefulness. No man can ever correct faults in another which he is obviously not free from himself. You may tell persons forever to do as you say, unless with all conscious sincerity you can add, Do as I do. Look at all characters eminent for Christian usefulness, and this trait you will find invariably—they are consistent. In other matters a man may acquire a great name, and yet have no moral consistency. He may be a great hero as lord Clive, who laid the foundations of Indian empires, yet was false, intriguing, dishonest, and died in misery. A man may be a brilliant orator, and electrify listening senators with his eloquence, and yet live and die a ruined gambler—as Sheridan. A man may be the most dazzling of poets, and fix the world in admiration of his genius, and yet be a cold infidel, a hater of mankind as Byron, or a licentious syren, alluring souls to vice, as Thomas Moore, or the pitable victim of intoxication, as Burns and even Coleridge. Yes you may acquire a place among the trophies of genius, or the works of art, and inconsistencies without number may blur your name. But if you would do good to one another; if you would teach a wanderer the way to his everlasting home—would guide the outcast—reprove and counsel a fellow-sinner, and lead him back to God; you may rely upon it, there is no way by which you can accomplish this, but by setting him an example that he may tread in your steps.

We little know the power of a consistent life. There is a reality about it which finds its way to people's hearts which nothing else can reach. Many a worldly husband has been won "without the word," by the holy conversation of the wife; many a careless scholar has been secretly drawn to his Bible and his Lord, by marking the consistency of his teacher; and many a worldly hearer who hated the scripture doctrine, has been forced to admire the consistent character of the man that preached it.

And I am sure few are duly aware of the great evils of an inconsistent life. No matter how bright or talented or zealous, if a man's life be inconsistent, he will just accomplish nothing. He pulls down faster than he builds up. Oh! ye Sabbath-school teachers! for the sake of the gospel you profess, the souls of others you wish to benefit, for the sake of your own comfort and strength and growth, see that you adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things. Would you then give clear evidences of your own salvation; would you be established and happy in your spiritual experience; would you do good in your position, attract others to Christ, and serve God in your generation; then I charge you to adorn the doctrine by a consistent life. Would you have your name mentioned with honor by those whom you have blessed—would you abound in comfort, walk in assurance of the safety of Christ, meet death in triumph, and receive an abundant entrance to the kingdom of your Father, then I charge you "adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things."

Would you then carry out this principle? Begin with Christ—do not begin with christianity. Begin with Christ! Without Christ ye can do nothing. Go to Christ. Wait for no one. Think

not to make yourself consistent. Abide with Christ. He is the physician who alone can heal; he is the manna which you must eat; he is the root from which you must grow; he is the perfect pattern which you must resemble; and he is the gracious master who will welcome you at last.—“Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”—Sel.