Consistency!

The story has been related of when a missionary was speaking to a group of Hindu women, he observed one of the women quietly walk away during the middle of the lesson. However, he also saw her return a few moments later, appearing to listen even more intently than before. After finishing, the missionary asked the woman why she had left. Her response was, "I was so interested in the wonderful things you were saying that I went to ask your servant if you live like you teach and he said that you do. So, I came back to hear more about Jesus." [original source: bulletin clipping]

Is that not what the world wants to see; a people who genuinely PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH? Is that not what the world needs to see? Is that not what we need to be about? One of the reasons Jesus so powerfully impacted those who were open to the truth was the consistency between what He said and did. That was very much unlike many of the teachers of the day. (note Matthew 23:3)

My regular walking has made my presence in our community quite visible. I remember an occasion a few years ago when a woman I encountered while walking to the post office stated, "If your sermons are like your walking, you might be worth listening to." Yes, my LIFE WALK must be consistent with my preaching if I am to be taken seriously.

At the beginning of writing his history of the church and the acts of the Apostles (the book of Acts), Luke referred back to the gospel he had written of the life and teachings of Jesus as he wrote. . .
"(1) In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with ALL THAT JESUS BEGAN TO DO AND TEACH,(2) until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen." ( Acts 1:1-2 ESV)

Jesus is the most consistent example we could ever find between TEACHING AND PRACTICING. If we are to be Christ-like, His manner of consistency must remain our aim. This is the best way for the truth we believe to be believable to those with whom we share the Good News of Jesus. As we live true to Jesus, the example of our life will be true to the message we share, and thus it will be Jesus, "The Truth" ( John 14:6), to Whom we will be drawing the attention. May His wisdom for life be clearly seen so that His hope for eternity may also be embraced by others.

Have a great day LIVING A BELIEVABLE LIFE IN CHRIST!
Carl

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