After a person is saved, if he desires to grow in life and to allow God to do a thorough work on him, he must consecrate himself to God.
“You are not your own...For you were bought with a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
The Lord shed His priceless blood on the cross to purchase you. Therefore, you belong to Him.
“But now, having been freed from sin and having been enslaved to God...” Romans 6:22
When we were saved, God redeemed us from under the curse of the law. We were rescued from the hand of Satan, from sin, from the world, and from death.
Consecration is our recognition of God’s legal claim on us, giving God the right that is due Him.
Hence, it is reasonable that we consecrate ourselves to God. This is our “most reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1).
1. THE CONSTRAINING OF LOVE
“For the love of Christ constrains us, having judged this, that One died on behalf of all; therefore all died; and He died on behalf of all, that those who live may no longer live to themselves, but to Him who died for them and has been raised.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
The love which Christ exhibited in His substitutionary death is our motivating power; it constrains us to live to Him.
2. THE BESEECHING OF LOVE
“I beg you therefore, brothers, through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, well-pleasing to God, which is your most reasonable service.” Romans 12:1
3. THE CALLING OF LOVE
“Jesus said to Simon Peter...do you love Me more than these?” John 21:15
The Lord often asks within us, “Do you love Me more than the world? Do you love Me more than knowledge, fame, parents, wife, and children?” Who can resist His love?
“In order that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenlies might be made known through the church the multifarious wisdom of God.” Ephesians 3:10
When Paul saw the purpose of God, he gave himself willingly to be the prisoner of Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:1).
In the Old Testament, when Nehemiah saw the will of God, he strove to do a good work even unto death (Neh. 2:18; 6:11).
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life.” John 6:68
“But surely I count also all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them refuse that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
“Jesus...for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” Hebrews 12:2
Consecration is not to donate money, to become a preacher, or to work for the Lord.
1. It is to hand over our rights to God and to have God rule over us.
2. It is to offer ourselves as a sacrifice to God for His satisfaction.
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” Romans 12:1
A consecrated person is like a bullock or a lamb that is offered on the altar:
his position is changed, and
his use is changed.
Formerly, he was in his own hand, for his own use.
Now he is in God’s hand, for God’s use.
This makes him a sweet-smelling savor,
a sacrifice well-pleasing to God,
to satisfy God.