◄ True Consecration ►

And for their sakes I sanctify Myself… that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:19

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that every believer has TWO ‘lives’ the old life and the new life.

1  the old sin nature from Adam and
2  the new born again life of Christ

Old Nature

Any attempt whatsoever to consecrate the old Adamic life will lead to certain failure. God organised it that way.. for He’ll have absolutely nothing to do with the OLD. But what a blow to the believer who wants to consecrate his old life and tries to do so. This too often has a devastating effect on believers as life becomes increasingly hard. He wants to live a consecrated life, as outlined in scripture, but find it’s impossible. And God planned it so – for only self-failure can bring forth true consecration.

The Process

The apostle Paul is probably the most logical and methodical thinker in all Scripture. Step by step he lays out the entire process that takes a believer to true consecration – and the best example is in the book of Romans chapters 6-8. He explains in Romans chapter 6, where you want to get to – a life lived for God. He explains in chapter 7 that it is impossible to ever live a life for God – our way. Then he takes you into the realms of how it is possible, but only God’s way.

Romans 7

The one who has experienced the failure of Romans 7 is a vessel God can use. This almost never happens in the early flush of faith – but after decades of training... for the old sin nature must be recognised for what it is – a life of self.

Succinct Outline

Metcalf gives a succinct outline of the problem and the solution – he writes:- The modern teaching of consecration, which is tantamount to the consecration of the ‘old man,’ seeks to bypass the death sentence and, and therefore, only leads to frustration and failure. When, however, you and I are prepared, in simple humility, to make the FACT of our death with Christ our daily basis of life and service, there is nothing that can prevent the uprising and outflow of the new life in Christ, and meet the need of thirsty souls around us.

Consecration Sign

Genuine consecration is not the easy route in life, but a cruel and difficult path. The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of a life, consecrated to God. Jesus spent His entire earthly walk living His life through the power of the Father.  Every work he undertook – every word He spoke, was His sign of consecration to God.

Consecrated Man

His was a life that signified the infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God. His was the life exemplifying God working in and through a consecrated man – a Man set-apart to God. And He too – the great Creator of the Universe, became a ‘spectacle’ to man..  a sign of suffering, affliction, and ridicule, but also a sign of wisdom, a sign of power... a sign of great resurrection glory – the sign of a life consecrated to God.

Our Responsibility

And then the unimaginable happened. He transferred the responsibility to us. We read in John chapter 17, “And for their sakes, I sanctify Myself… that they also might be sanctified through the truth. As Thou has sent Me into the world, even so, have I also sent them into the world.”

Christ’s Witnesses

The Lord wants us to be signs in the world – signs that His grace is sufficient. He desires His own to go the way of the cross – to suffer and die to self. Maybe in the physical, but predominantly and principally in the spiritual… “Ye are My witnesses .” the Lord Jesus tells us. Being His witnesses does not necessarily mean going out and talking. Being a consecrated man or woman – being a sign, may not mean what you think. It may not mean becoming a missionary or starting a ministry… though such may certainly be a part of the sanctified life.

Christ’s Mind

It means in everything we do – living the Life of our Lord. It means in all that we say – that we say everything as from Him. It means the Lord working out His will and purpose in our lives with no opposition. Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus… Have Thine Own way Lord – Thou are the Potter, I am the clay. Thy will not mine be done – to the glory of God the Father.

Christ’s Strength

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men (and women) – in Christ. Jesus said, ”My strength is made perfect in your weakness.” Do not pray for tasks equal to your power. Pray for His power, which is always equal to your tasks - for Thine is the power. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle… – for you shall be the miracle – Christ in you, the hope of glory.