Consecration

What offering did King Hezekiah command to be made when he re-established the worship of the Temple, following a period of apostasy?

“Hezekiah gave the order to sacrifice the burnt offering on the altar. As the offering began, singing to the Lord began also, accompanied by trumpets and the instruments of King David of Israel.” 2 Chronicles 29:27.

How did Hezekiah interpret the meaning of this service to the people of Judah?

Then Hezekiah said, “You have now dedicated yourselves to the Lord. Come and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the temple of the Lord.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing to bring burnt offerings.” Verse 31.

Note – The morning and evening burnt offering (Exodus 29:38-41) symbolized the daily consecration of the chosen people to the Lord.

Call To Continual Consecration

How does the apostle Paul urge this consecration upon all Christians?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” Romans 12:1.     

What is the sacrifice of praise declared to be?

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15.

How is the service of consecration to be carried out by the Christian church?

“You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5.

The Example of Jesus

Who has set the example of complete consecration?

“And whosoever wants to be the first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:27,28.

What position has Jesus taken among His brethren?

“For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” Luke 22:27.  

In what does the likeness to Christ consist?

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:5.

What did Christ’s spirit of meekness and consecration lead Him to do?

“But he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Verse 7.

To what extent did Christ humble Himself?

“And being in the appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on the cross!” Verse 8.

Call to Complete Consecration

How does He exhort us to the same consecration?

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29.

What does He make the condition of discipleship?

“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33.

What is proof that one does not belong to Christ?

“You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9.  

How should we walk who professes Christ?

“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6.

Do we belong to ourselves?

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” 1 Corinthians 6: 19,20.

What are we therefore exhorted to do?

“Therefore honor God with your body.” Verse 20. 

Note – Our time, strength, and means are God’s and should be given to His service.

Of what are the bodies of Christians the temple?

“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God? Verse 19.

When truly consecrated, for what is one ready?

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And he said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8. 

How is willingness for service otherwise expressed?

“As the eyes of the slaves look to the hand of the their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hands of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, tell he shows us his mercy.” Psalm 123:2. 

One writer has said: “It is impossible for us, of ourselves, to escape from the pit of sin in which we are sunken. Our hearts are evil, and we cannot change them. ‘Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.’ ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither can it be.’ Job 14:4; Romans 8:7. Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have proper sphere, but they are powerless. They may produce an outward correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify the springs of life. There must be a power working within, a new life from above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ. His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it to God, to holiness.”  

[top]