The best sermon that can be preached!

(George Everard, "Consistency!" 1885)

"We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel, unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." Daniel 6:5

It was a noble testimony. Here was Daniel in high position, as a city set on a hill that could not be hidden. He was a sort of governor of the whole kingdom, and more than a hundred lynx-eyed enemies were ever around him, watching to discover some cause of offence in him. Though in a heathen court, temptation must have abounded on every side - yet these bitter foes have to confess that he is blameless in all the matters entrusted to his charge. His foot stands firm in the paths of truth and equity. Nothing of falsehood, nothing of double-dealing, nothing of injustice can be laid to his charge.

Blessed are they who have something of a like spirit! Consistency of life and walk is one of the most effective arguments that can be used to persuade men of the truth of the religion we profess. It is far away the best sermon that can be preached!

But what is consistency?

It is the whole life in harmony with the revealed will of God in Scripture. It is a constant painstaking effort in everything, to do the will of God.

It is a life which is all one thing. On Monday - as on Sunday, at home - as in society, in the playground - as in the schoolroom, a hundred miles away - as in the place where you live,
  keeping a good conscience towards God and man,
  hating everything that is corrupt and evil,
  living a holy life, and
  striving manfully and bravely to do your duty in the station where God has placed you.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven!" Matthew 5:16