Day 4: Consecration
Day 4 of the 21-day devotional written by Aanu Ola-Joseph.
Growing up I didn't know what this word meant. I'm still understanding what this means but now I understand it experientially. When I think of consecration, Daniel comes to mind. He came from Israel and was a foreigner in the land. He loved the lord but his love did not stop in lip service. It was seen in demonstration. He purposed in his heart to do something about his love for God, he would not eat the kinds of food. Daniel understood serving kings was important but there was a greater king in the mix. Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” There is a song by Juanita Bynum that says ‘Consecrate me Lord to do thine will’.
We often say that we want to be used by God and be the Daniels in our generations. We want to do the work of building God's kingdom here on earth, but before God lets you represent Him, He must work on your heart. In the process of consecration, we unlearn what is of old, we reprogramme ourselves to be obedient and proper vessels for the master's use. If we consider clay, there are several processes in making a clay vessel. It’s first beaten, then left to dry, put through the fire, glazed and put through fire again. As Christians we often don't realize what it means to be the Lord's clay (Isaiah 64:8).
So, what does it mean for him to be the potter? What does being called according to his purpose look like? It looks like a process. It looks like being prepared as a vessel for proper use. Gone are the days when we wanted notoriety without process. Our decision should be that he takes the stage and has his way. Maturity in the Christian life looks like submitting yourself to the process of sanctification, to be a set apart vessel for proper use. Ephesians 4:18 puts it like this, “When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The point I wish to highlight here is holiness. This means to be set apart for the Lord’s use. If an Olympic athlete is training their bodies must be treated differently. It mandates a particular diet, a strict training regime and a good amount of rest for recovery.
They must give up some of the pleasures that we enjoy, even when they don’t feel like it. This is simply because their goal is to get a gold medal, Paul uses this analogy and says, we must do the same when it comes to the things of the spirit. 1 Corinthians 9:25 (AMP) “Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].” We should allow the Lord to change our minds through the word of God to think and act in accordance with His holy will. We must look like the one we speak about in our convictions and actions.
For you reading this, this could look like not going to that party that will cause you to stumble, taking more of the word of God to transform your thinking, spending time to fast once a week, to stop gossiping. Ask the Lord what expectations are of you in leading a Holy and consecrated lifestyle. There are corporate convictions which we see God clearly outlines in scripture which every believer must follow. However, in addition to this as we journey in our walk the Holy Spirit on our journey of sanctification may personally guide us to not do particular things.
My number one encouragement to you as you’ve read this is not to only focus on avoiding particular sins that have been highlighted but focus on your pursuit of Jesus. Consecration is not only sin aversion, but it’s the active pursuit of Him. Both are necessary to help us bear fruit and be effective vessels of honor (John 15:8, 2 Timothy 2:21).
Prayerpoints:
1. Lord, help me to seek you first.
2. Lord, consecrate me for your special work.
3. Lord, at this moment, I place my flesh in subjection to the will of God.
Song:
Juanita Bynum - Make Me Careful
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