Consecration happens to be one of the most talked about topics in many Christian circles, but what is it all about? Join us today as we explore the purpose of consecration.
Consecration is one of God's indispensable requirements from a Christian. Those who are called by His name ought to be consecrated unto Him.
Throughout scriptures, we find out that consecration has been part of the track record of everyone who made extraordinary impacts for the kingdom of God in their generation.
Daniel was consecrated. Joseph was consecrated. The Prophets lived a consecrated life. Our Lord Jesus Christ as well, consecrated Himself to the Father while He walked the earth.
In the old testament, consecration was required of everyone who was to render service to God. That has not changed today.
Exodus 28:41 KJVAnd thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.
1 Kings 13:33 KJV
After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places.
Consecration is also a requirement for walking in the full blessings of God:
Exodus 32:29 KJV
For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
Consecration Definition
What is consecration? Consecration is a solemn dedication of oneself to service to God. The word consecration stems from a Latin word consecrat, which means devoted, dedicated or sacred.
Consecration is not only required from preachers and teachers of the Word. Every Christian is called to serve God in different areas according to their diverse graces, giftings and talents. Everyone of us is expected to live a consecrated life.
In the old testament, consecration basically had to do with anointing a person with oil, making sacred pronouncements upon them and commissioning them into service to God. In the new testament, when it comes to consecration, much emphasis is laid on the Christian's body.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. With it, we go about rendering service to God. Therefore, the body has to be consecrated.
1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
In our generation, it is possible to anoint someone with oil and commission them into service to God, only for them to go about living a life that is unworthy of their calling.
Maybe simply smearing oil on people worked in the old testament because those who were to serve God in the man-made temple, as at then, had so much fear of God. But the case is different today where Grace is willfully abused.
Romans 12:1 KJV
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Why is so much emphasis laid on consecrating the body? God needs a body to work through on earth. Without a vessel of the human body, the Holy Spirit cannot fully operate on earth. Our spirit and soul as well, cannot do anything for God on earth without our body. Without my physical hands, I wouldn't had been able to type and post this article.
Why do we need consecration? A minister of the Gospel lays their physical hands on people. A Christian prays with their physical mouth. A body that is consecrated to God is aligned with God; filled and saturated by the Holy Spirit to render effective and acceptable service to God.
Every Christian has a body, but not every Christian can produce the same quality of service to God. The output is very much dependent on individual level of consecration.
A Christian's consecration has to start from the body, and then the soul and spirit will follow suit—just in that order.
In any area which we are rendering service to God; be it in singing, evangelising, pastoring or teaching etc, we must be consecrated if our ministry must be effective and acceptable.
Sanctification Vs Consecration
Sanctification has to do with spiritual cleansing, purging and washing of a Christian to make them holy, and ready to render service to God. The greater part of the sanctification process is handled by God.
Consecration on the other hand, is more dependent on an individual. It is a deliberate decision and effort towards separating oneself from evil and living for God, so as to become more effective in one's ministry to God. Consecration is a personal choice. If a Christian does not make this choice, consecration cannot take place.
Sustaining The Consecrated Life
Several times, many Christians have made the decision to live a consecrated life, only to fall back to sinful living in sin after a month or two.
It is easier to make the choice to live a consecrated life and start working towards it, than maintaining that consecrated life.
Maintaining the consecrated life is not an impossibility, so long we follow Biblical principles which we will take a look at below.
1. Die To Self And Flesh Daily
1 Corinthians 15:31 KJV
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
This is one of the secrets that gave Apostle Paul the sort of excellent Christian life and ministry that he had. He ensured that he became submitted to God daily (by the Holy Spirit), instead of becoming more sinful.
Deliberate efforts must be made by the Believer (on daily basis) to turn away from sinful attractions, and submit more to God. If we are willing, the Holy Spirit will make it easy. Greater level of submission to God everyday.
2. Be Self-Disciplined
The Holy Spirit wants to keep us spiritual and holy as much as possible. He makes efforts towards doing so. But if a Christian is not self-disciplined, they will rebel against the Holy Spirit while is trying to drag them from sin towards God. Self-discipline is a vital requirement for living a consecrated life.
1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
3. Maintain A Consistent And Quality Prayer Life
Lesser the prayer life, greater the desire for sin and carnality. Prayer ignites the fire needed to create the desire for spiritual things. There is nothing like 'too much prayer'. The more we pray, the better.
Luke 18:1 KJV And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.
4. Occupy Yourself With Things of The Spirit
What people feed on is responsible for the way they become. We cannot spend our day deliberately feeding the Flesh and hope to be spiritual.
Romans 13:14 KJV
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
A Christian who wants to maintain a consecrated life must intentionally feed on spiritual things daily. Feed your eyes, ears, and mind with things of the Spirit and give no room for carnality.
Galatians 5:16 KJV
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Do something that will get you closer to God each day.
Importance of Consecration
What is consecration and why is it important? There are innumerable benefits of consecration. Some of which we have already touched on above.
1. A Cutting-Edge Christian Life
If you check closely, you'll find out that everyone who has an uncommon Christian life has a track record of living a consecrated life. And that doesn't just happen overnight, it happens overtime.
2. Increased Anointing
It is not always that some Christians are more Anointed than others. The Anointing is the Holy Spirit—the same Holy Spirit that all genuine Christians have. Those who seem to be more Anointed than others have simply paid the price that many are not willing to pay. One way they pay that price is by living a consecrated life.
3. A Closer Walk With God
Just like sanctification does, consecration brings us into a closer walk with the Lord.
God loves it when people are devoted to pleasing Him with their entire life, and He will definitely bring them closer to Himself.
4. A Threat To The Kingdom of Darkness
A Christian who lives a consecrated life automatically becomes a threat to the kingdom of darkness. Such people are unstoppable, but they can stop and destroy the works of darkness.
5. Increased Kingdom Productivity
The quality and impact differs, when it comes to what a consecrated and non-consecrated Christian can do in the Kingdom of God. Those who consecrate themselves have positioned themselves to be used of God to the fullest. Consecration quarantees greater kingdom productivity.
Final Thoughts On Consecration
In a nutshell, what is needed to maintain a consecrated life is Abiding In Christ.
The benefits that comes with consecration are worth the price that must be paid for it.
Hebrews 12:1 KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
There are more spiritual eyes (than physical), watching us and the way we live. We all should be willing to become Christians that Heaven is proud of.
God bless you!
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