Living a Life of Consecration to God
Introduction:
Today, we are going to explore a profound and transformative topic: Consecration to God. Consecration is more than a mere commitment; it is a wholehearted dedication of ourselves to God's service. Let's dive into this vital aspect of our Christian walk through three key points, rooted in Scripture, to understand how we can live a consecrated life.
Point 1: The Call to Consecration
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT): "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
Paul calls the believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, highlighting the total surrender to God's will. The Greek word for "sacrifice" here is "??s?a" (thusia), which conveys the idea of offering something of value to God.
Paul contrasts the sacrificial system of the Old Testament with a new form of sacrifice—our very lives. By presenting our bodies, we acknowledge God's sovereignty and respond to His mercy.
To consecrate ourselves, we must resist conforming to worldly patterns and allow God to renew our minds. This transformation enables us to discern His will.
Reflect on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honour God with your body."
Our lives, bought at a high price, are to be lived in a way that honours God, acknowledging His ownership over us.
Point 2: The Process of Consecration
Joshua 3:5 (NLT): "Then Joshua told the people, 'Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do great wonders among you.'"
As the Israelites prepared to cross the Jordan River, Joshua commanded them to purify themselves. The Hebrew word for "purify" is "??????" (qadash), meaning to set apart as holy.
Purification involved both external rituals and internal dedication. It was a preparation to witness God's miraculous works. Similarly, our consecration involves a purification process—setting ourselves apart from sin and dedicating our lives to God's service.
In our spiritual journey, we must continually purify our hearts and minds. James 4:8 encourages us: "Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world."
Consecration demands that we seek God's presence and rid ourselves of anything that divides our loyalty.
Point 3: The Fruit of Consecration
John 15:4-5 (NLT): "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to Him to bear fruit. The Greek word for "remain" is "µ???" (meno), meaning to abide or stay.
A life of consecration is a life that abides in Christ. Just as branches depend on the vine for sustenance, we depend on Christ for spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.
When we consecrate ourselves to God, we become channels of His grace and bear fruit for His kingdom. Reflect on Galatians 5:22-23: "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"
These fruits are the evidence of a consecrated life, lived in union with Christ.
Point 4: Consecration Through Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (NLT): "For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, 'This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.' For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again."
Paul recounts the institution of the Lord’s Supper, emphasizing remembrance and proclamation. The Greek word for "remembrance" is "???µ??s??" (anamnesis), meaning a recollection or memorial.
Communion is not merely a ritual but a profound act of consecration. It reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice and our unity with Him. By partaking in the bread and the cup, we reaffirm our commitment to live consecrated lives.
As we prepare for Communion, let's reflect on our dedication to God. Are there areas of our lives that need realignment with His will? Communion is an opportunity to renew our consecration, remembering Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and our call to live for Him.
Conclusion and Call to Action:
As we conclude, let us remember that consecration is a continuous journey of dedicating ourselves to God. It involves responding to His call, undergoing a purification process, abiding in Christ to bear lasting fruit, and renewing our commitment through Communion.
Application:
Today, I invite you to take a step of consecration. Commit your life, your body, and your heart wholly to God. Let us pray for the strength to resist worldly patterns, purify ourselves, remain in Christ, and renew our consecration through the act of Communion.
Call to Action:
Reflect on how you can consecrate different areas of your life to God. What habits, thoughts, or relationships need purification? How can you stay connected to Christ daily? Take these reflections into your prayer time and seek God’s guidance.
In closing, let's dedicate our lives anew to God, trusting in His plans and purposes for us. Amen.
