CONSISTENCY
from: "Ministry," Vol. 9, p. 21
CONSISTENCY is being true to a given standard. Now the
constant taunt is that there is more consistency when a lower position is
assumed than when a higher one is insisted on. The pretensions are of course in
keeping with the position. It is said, for instance, and with some show of
justice, that they who make the law the rule of life are more consistent than
they who believe and assume that Christ is their life and model in everything.
Consistent to what, is the question. To the law or to Christ? But that is not
the comparison intended. The force of the reproach is this, that they who do
not profess such high ground are on the whole better men, and less erratic,
than they who do. Now we shall clear the ground immensely if we consider the
position of each with regard to the standard by which his consistency can be
judged. The law addresses a man in the flesh; Christ is only known and
maintained by His own Spirit. I do not disown and ignore man by the law; I
cultivate and restrain him, and according as this is successful, I add to man's
self-respect and self-distinction. On the contrary, as Christ is received and
followed, man as he is in the flesh, is ignored; and the Spirit, which controls
and uses his body and mind as belonging to Christ, is alone acknowledged.
Now there is a great difference between these two standards; and not
only so, but the effect or demand which each has on me is vastly different. In
the one case I am required to exalt men to the only true, proper, and divine
elevation for a man; in the other I am required to be a dead man and accept
another and a higher life, and, in the power of it, to impersonate Him who is
the fountain and source of it to me. Surely the difference is immeasurable. And
hence, if I analyze the history of a disciple of each of these standards, I
cannot fail to see that the one who is required to exalt himself to his highest
moral point makes a much better appearance, and walks apparently with more
consistency than the one who is called to set aside self at every point - which
is the ground he has professed to take - and to walk outside that which is of
the flesh, in the spirit of Christ, as a heavenly man. No doubt the latter
vastly surpasses the former when he is consistent with his standard, but this
can only be in proportion as he is held by the power which transfers him from
his own self into Christ.
If his hold on, or faith in, that power
relaxes, he is worse off than one who only seeks to conform himself to the
moral perfection of the law, because he has nothing to fall back upon, or to
act on as to himself, his calling being to love outside himself in Christ;
whereas the other is called to live properly in himself. It is plain that if I
make myself my study with any true purpose, I cultivate myself to exhibit a
certain commendable appearance. The law was to set up the first Adam in its
best estate. But if through grace I seek to live outside the first Adam, and to
live Christ, I am infinitely worse off in appearance, when I fall back to
myself, than one who had never abandoned the old man at all. I am practically
the sow that was washed, wallowing in the mire. I am like one reduced to where
every one is better off and more skilled than he is.
In short, the one
tries to excel in walking; the other knows that he is required to fly, and
studies flying only. Hence, if he falls, he must appear more powerless than the
one who walks, and whose skill in walking is commendable. No one can be so
helpless or pitiable as one who is destined to fly when he forfeits his power
of doing so. Surly such a one must appear among walkers more incompetent and
inconsistent than the feeblest walker.
Another thing has to be taken
into account. The man who cultivates himself obtains commendation from men in a
measure that the one who cultivates Christ will never receive or elicit. The
one cultivates what exalts man, and therefore what suits man; the other, that
which ignores man and which rises above him. Hence we need to be careful lest
the good in man which we sometimes commend be really of Christ or not. We must
not forget that that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the
sight of God; and doubtless many a one, falling, or failing to fly, but still
accepting no lower position, is more acceptable in the eye of God than one very
fair in his conduct and walk among men, who seeks only to raise himself to the
standard of the law, which is the first Adam's highest elevation. The
inconsistency complained of arises in fact not from the high position to which
we are called, but from our not walking according to it. There is no fault in
the high position, but it is easier to nature to walk in the lower position.
But then this lower position, however commended by man, loses all its value
before God when I find He has called me to the higher one, and not to the lower
at all. If this be admitted, the comparison cannot be maintained. I may censure
a saint for not walking up to his high position, but I cannot commend one who
excuses himself for taking a position to which God has not called him, because
he can walk among men more evenly therein than in that to which God has called
him. In fine, such an argument amounts to this - that it is better for those
who are called to fly not to attempt it, but to walk, because if they attempt
to fulfill their calling they might fall; so that it is better in the
apprehension of such reasoners to ignore and deny our calling.
The
above thoughts have been suggested by a communication from a correspondent on
''high profession with low walk'', concluding with the following remarks;
"Doubtless it is most displeasing to God to see a high profession with a low
walk"; But we must remember that God has laid down our true position, and, in
reality, we cannot alter it. Every Christian is really in the high position,
whether he owns it or not. It is a vain for any to say, "Oh, I fear I cannot
maintain a corresponding walk, and therefore I will take a lower position". The
Word is plain and positive: "God... hath quickened us" young or old, instructed
or ignorant, "together with Christ, and hath... made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:4-6). This is our true position, and
surely no one can think of taking a lower position, without doing despite to
the Spirit of grace, in order that his walk may be more consistent. If really a
Christian, his position must remain the same. Just as an adopted son to whom,
by unalterable bonds, I make over an estate, may refuse to consider himself a
son, and may associate with the bond-servants, or even run again into distance
and exile; still he is my son, and the estate is his. The more shame on him if
he does not appreciate it.
Such is grace, the boundless grace of our
God! and we cannot have any lower standing. Young Christian, older pilgrim! we
are all in that high and holy place in Christ Jesus. Shall it be said of us who
accredit this truth, that our walk is less steady than the walk of any who do
not accredit or appreciate it? Surely not. We cannot lower our standing if we
would; nor would we if we could. We cannot preach a lower gospel. Let us then,
one and all, seek to walk more and more in the power of the Holy Spirit, and
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Amen.