IT is …By faith we know that we are justified (Rom. 5:1), that we are reconciled (Col. 1:20–22), that we are accepted (Eph. 1:5–7), and that we are sanctified (Acts 26:18). Since the Holy Spirit ministers to us through the channel of faith, He gives us in our condition what we appropriate from our position. For instance, in the matter of peace, from our position of justification we receive peace concerning the penalty of our sins; from our reconciliation, peace with God; from our acceptance, the peace of God; and from our sanctification, peace and assurance that He will conform us to the image of our Lord Jesus. …This is how we ended the last consideration as we come now to the heading of Consecration in this chapter titled Sanctification and Consecration.
WE do not hear much of this word in current conversation. Maybe it’s fallen to disfavor due to it abuse from the old camp revival meetings. There may be a works-righteousness flavor to it, so it might be appropriate to exercise some caution and discernment, which I think the author does in capturing the sense and meaning of this word.
IT is interesting to look at the old dictionary meaning of this word consecration. It carries with it the act of ceremony or the sacred, the act of devotion in service toward God. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary’s rather descriptive definition of consecration says it does not make a person or thing really holy, but declares it to be sacred, that is, devoted, separated apart from that which distracts from and unto to God; dedicated to purpose. …. That ought to give us pause to consider that maybe this word ought to find greater or renewed use in our pursuit of our relationship and walk with our Lord. If things are a little disjointed or disconnected, there might be a valid reason in a life that is not being lived in a way that once defined the Christian life.
WELL, with that to prime the pump, let’s prayerfully approach our consideration below.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 5—Sanctification and Consecration – Part 4
Consecration
Without a clear understanding of our position of sanctification, there can be no valid consecration. To dedicate, to separate, to consecrate ourselves unto God is simply our response of faith to the separation, the sanctification in which God has already placed us. It is acknowledging our position of sanctification. Consecration does not call upon us to do anything, but to rest in what God has already done. Unless we know that we have been sanctified in the Lord Jesus, we cannot respond in consecration to Him.
Pseudo Consecration
Why does so much sincere consecration come to naught? The main reason is that most well-meaning Christians seek to consecrate to God that which He has totally and forever rejected. Not yet understanding their position of sanctification as new creations in Christ, they consecrate self to God in the hope that the “old man” will become spiritual and thus usable in His service.
The believer must learn by two means the fact that the self-life is unimprovable. (1) Specific Scripture: God never intends to improve the old man, because “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God … neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). Further, “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other” (Gal. 5:17). Everything of the first Adam is unalterably opposed to everything of the Last Adam. Self is implacable in its attitude toward God, having the very essence of the Enemy. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom. 8:7). (2) Personal experience: One’s daily life proves beyond a doubt that the sinful Adamic source within never changes. The awakened and honest believer must admit that self is as capable of sin after fifty years of the Christian life as it was before he was saved—sometimes, it seems, even more so!
No, our Father can accept nothing of the Adamic life, no matter how “good” or “religious” it may seem in the natural realm. And when the believer sees that God has taken all the old life to the cross and crucified it with Christ, he will likewise count (reckon) it crucified, and take his place of consecration as alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
… to be continued
