Consecration is the act of setting something apart as holy and dedicated to God. The Bible has a lot to say about consecration and calls believers to consecrate themselves to the Lord. Here is an overview of some of the major biblical themes around consecration:
Old Testament Background
In the Old Testament, the concept of consecration was closely tied to the idea of holiness. God called the people of Israel to be set apart and holy, just as He is holy (Leviticus 11:44-45). Items, people, and times were consecrated and dedicated to the Lord’s purposes and glory.
The tabernacle and later the temple were consecrated places, dedicated solely to the worship of God (Exodus 40, 1 Kings 8). The priests were consecrated and set apart for service to God (Exodus 28-29, Leviticus 8). The Sabbath day was consecrated and commanded to be kept holy (Genesis 2:3, Exodus 20:8).
Sacrificial offerings were consecrated or dedicated to God (Leviticus 22:2-3). Nazirites took special vows of consecration to separate themselves to the Lord for a period of time (Numbers 6:1-21). Consecration in the Old Testament was often marked by anointing with oil, sacrifices, inaugural ceremonies, and obedience to God’s commands.
New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, believers are called to consecrate themselves to God. This involves separating ourselves from sin and worldly living and dedicating ourselves fully to God and His purposes.
Romans 12:1-2 commands us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. This is an act of spiritual worship and consecration. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 exhorts us not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers but to purify ourselves out of reverence for God. Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages us to draw near to God with full assurance of faith, having our hearts consecrated and sprinkled clean.
Jesus declared that He consecrated Himself for His disciples (John 17:19). As His followers, we too are called to consecrate ourselves, laying down our lives and agendas in order to serve God wholeheartedly. Consecration is empowered by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Goal of Consecration
The ultimate goal of consecration is closeness with God. By setting ourselves apart for His purposes, we draw nearer to Him and experience His presence and blessings. Consecration refocuses our lives on eternal, heavenly matters rather than earthly, temporal affairs.
Full consecration to God allows Him to use us for His glory. When we consecrate ourselves, we are equipped for service in God’s kingdom (2 Timothy 2:21). Our talents, resources, and time should all be consecrated to furthering His work on this earth.
How to Consecrate Yourself
Practically speaking, how can believers consecrate themselves today? Here are some biblical ways to set yourself apart for God:
- Spend time daily in prayer, worship, and reading God’s Word
- Offer yourself and your body as a living sacrifice to God each day (Romans 12:1)
- Confess and repent of any known sins in your life
- Pursue holiness and purity in all areas of life
- Be baptized and live out your baptismal identity as dead to sin and alive in Christ
- Present your talents, resources and time to God as an act of spiritual worship
- Come to the Lord’s table and commune with Him
- Die to self and seek to glorify God in all you do
Consecration is not a one-time event but an ongoing process as we grow in our faith. As we consecrate ourselves daily, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live all of life to the glory of God.
Blessings of a Consecrated Life
A life consecrated to God is blessed by Him. Although it requires sacrifice on our part, the rewards are infinitely worth it. Some blessings of consecration include:
- A closer walk with God
- The joy of the Lord
- Purpose and meaning
- Freedom from sin
- Victory over temptation
- Deep settled peace
- Power to witness
- Intimacy with Jesus
- Eternal rewards
Consecration unlocks the abundance of God’s kingdom in our lives. As we yield ourselves completely to Him, He pours out His spiritual blessings on us.
Examples of Consecration
Throughout church history, there have been many examples of consecrated men and women who inspired others in their devotion to Christ. A few notable consecrated followers of Jesus include:
- The Apostle Paul – After his dramatic conversion, Paul offered his entire life as a “living sacrifice” to spreading the gospel and serving God’s purposes (Romans 12:1, Acts 20:24).
- John the Baptist – John set himself apart from birth for his prophetic ministry through his Nazirite vow and wholehearted devotion to preparing the way for Christ (Luke 1:15-17).
- Mary – As a young virgin, Mary consecrated herself to be used by God when she declared “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).
- Hudson Taylor – This famous missionary to China exemplified consecration through his sacrifice, identification with the Chinese people, and passion to see them reached with the gospel.
- Amy Carmichael – Amy consecrated over 55 years of her life to rescuing children from temple prostitution in India through the Dohnavur Fellowship.
- Jim Elliot – Along with four other missionaries, Jim demonstrated consecration when he was martyred while trying to reach the Auca Indians of Ecuador.
These and many other followers of Christ throughout history serve as shining examples of what a consecrated life looks like. They inspires us to also fully devote ourselves to God’s service.
Consecration Leads to Great Reward
In heaven, there are special rewards promised for those who have faithfully consecrated their lives and service to Jesus Christ:
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. – Matthew 25:23
And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. – Revelation 22:12
While consecration requires sacrifice on earth, the eternal rewards are glorious. As we yield ourselves fully to Christ, we can look forward to hearing “Well done” from our Master when we see Him face to face.
The Holy Spirit’s Role
Consecrating ourselves to God is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit enables us to live holy lives set apart for God’s service. As we yield to Him, He works in us to purify our hearts and produce spiritual fruit such as love, joy and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Part of consecration is asking the Holy Spirit to fill us continually so that everything we do flows out of His power working through our lives. The Holy Spirit transforms us from within and empowers us to live consecrated lives.
A Lifelong Process
While consecration begins with a decisive moment of presenting ourselves to God, it is also a lifelong process. Throughout our walk with God, we must continually re-consecrate areas that have slipped away from full devotion to Him. As we surrender more of our will, plans and desires to Him each day, He refines us into His image.
Consecration is also revitalized through participation in spiritual disciplines like fasting, solitude, worship and communion. By making space for God, He re-centers our focus and realigns us to His purposes. A consecrated life is one marked by ongoing surrender, transformation and revival.
Study Bible Passages on Consecration
For further study, here are some key Bible passages that deal with the theme of consecration:
- Romans 12:1-2
- John 17:17-19
- Joshua 3:5
- Leviticus 8
- 2 Timothy 2:20-21
- 1 Peter 2:9
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1
- Philippians 1:20-21
- Romans 6:12-14
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
- Galatians 2:20
- Romans 6:19
Meditating on these and other Scripture verses will deepen our understanding of consecration and how we can apply it in our daily lives.
Conclusion
Consecration is a vital part of the Christian walk. By setting ourselves apart from the world and dedicating ourselves fully to God, we experience the blessings of a closer relationship with Him. He in turn can use our consecrated lives for greater purposes in building His kingdom. Consecration is empowered by the Holy Spirit working in us to purify our hearts and produce spiritual fruit. While requiring sacrifice, a consecrated life results in eternal rewards and the joy of following Jesus closely.
