Are you a consistent Christian?  One of the biggest deterrents to being a strong Christian is inconsistency.  Being consistent in our service to God is far more important than being great at any one thing.  It is the only way that we can assure ourselves of being ready when Jesus comes back.  Do not just take my word for that, listen to the teachings of Paul.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
⁵⁸  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.     

Paul just finished encouraging the saints at Corinth by teaching them about the victory Christians have over sin and death.  He said, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (ver. 57).  To assure ourselves of this victory, however, we must be steadfast.  To be steadfast is to be determined and purposed in mind.  The strong Christian is not one who is just thinking about living faithfully for Jesus—he is determined to do so.  The reward for it is to be presented holy, blameless, and beyond reproach to God (Colossians 1:22).

Are you steadfast in obeying the command to assemble with the saints?  Is it rare for you to miss a worship service of your local church?  Most congregations have four services a week (two Bible classes and two worship services at various times).  You can usually tell who in the congregation is strong because they attend all four services consistently.  They do not have to be talked into attending, nor do they have to be called up and encouraged to attend more often.  They attend because they want to do so and love worshiping God and studying His Word, as well as being with other Christians as they sing praises to their Creator.  Does that describe you?

Are you steadfast when it comes to reading the Bible?  Doing this will strengthen you as a Christian.  It will increase your knowledge and fortify your faith.  I know this because the Bible says that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Why not set up a Bible reading schedule?  That is a good way to test your steadfastness.  Do you think you can consistently read your Bible for a year?  Put yourself to the test.  My guess is that if you can read your Bible consistently for a year, you will not stop doing it when the year ends.

We need to strive for consistency in every aspect of Christianity by being steadfast morally and doctrinally; steadfast husbands and wives; steadfast evangelistically, as well as in contending for the faith; steadfast examples to our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially to those who are young in the faith; and steadfast in prayer.  Being “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” is the best way, according to Paul, of making sure that our labor for Christ is not in vain.

There is no greater tragedy than when a seasoned saint quits serving God in the twilight years of his or her life.  Just behind that, however, is the calamity of one obeying the gospel, but never realizing the victory available by the grace of God because of a lack of steadfastness in Christ.  Do not waste years being an inconsistent member of the Lord’s church.  Be a reliable member.  Be a saint that God can trust to help the cause of Christ.  Be steadfast because consistency counts when it comes to being a Christian.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.