Total Surrender & Total Commitment

Thus, she brought the whole monetary equivalent of her life and placed it as a single gift at the feet of her Lord. That is the kind of consecration which Jesus expects of those who have sworn eternal fideality to Him. It is not our duty to enslave ourselves to any human master, but we have a rare privilege to dedicate ourselves and our being entirely to our Lord.

This is why true consecration is above and beyond simply being saved. It demands that we offer ourselves entirely and unashamedly to God.

Are you living consecrated lives here this morning? Have you sacrificed all that you are to God for his use? Why should I you might ask? Paul argues here that consecration should be motivated by 3 things - God’s Mercy, reasonable service and a desire to be holy and accepted by God.

4) Consecration is motivated from God’s Mercy

Our consecration is not prompted by fear, but from God’s Love and Mercy. Some of God’s mercies include - justification, identification, sanctification, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, not being condemned for our sins, daily help, heaven, health, friends, the church. The list could go on. In response to all he has given we are urged to give something back to him - we are urged to consecrate ourselves. What is your response for all that God has given you? Have you even stopped to say thankyou of late?

5) Consecration is motivated from wanting to be accepted by God

When we consecrate ourselves, we find acceptance by God because we are made holy. Just as the tabernacle and its furnishings were made holy through the act of consecration, so to is the act of offering our bodies as living sacrifices. God is pleased when we give him all that we are unreservedly. Do you want to please God?

6) Consecration is motivated from Reasonable Service

Consecration - offering our bodies is a reasonable form of service. This may be translated in your bible as a spiritual act of worship. Being consecrated involves service - service of God both physically and more so here spiritually when we offer our minds and heart to him. We are all called to serve God. Though there may be a huge diversity in what we actually do, all our service should involve a spiritual sacrifice. Are you wondering how you can serve God? What you should do? How you could be more effective? Well the starting point is with consecration - giving yourselves unreservedly to him.

7) Consecration results in a life transformed

The consecrated life is one which is transformed. It has had a lobotomy - It has a new mind - a new outlook on life which is implanted by Christ. We will no longer want to live according to the standards of this world, but will want to live according to the higher standards of Christ. It will result in a life that is lived in the will of God, happily following his will for our lives. It is a good life, a profitable life, a happy, joyous and victorious life, because it is a life that is acceptable to God.

Now from experience, many of you know that this won’t necessarily happen overnight. Consecration is a process. It is a daily, momemt by moment yielding to God in each and every daily crisis. It is simply trusting wholly in Jesus and giving ourselves up to Him forever.