III. Cost of consecration.
(a) Severance of connection from other relationships, or any attraction that will obstruct our total attention to our pursuit (II Cor. 6:14, Phil. 3:12).
The scripture says “Be ye not, unequally yoked together with unbeliever; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness”? (2 Corinthian 6:14)
He is not to form binding relationship with nonbelievers because this might weaken his Christian commitment, integrity or standard. Although this does not mean total isolation or living a recluse life from unbelievers, (I Corinthian 5:9-10), but abstaining from personal or business relationship that could cause one to compromise one’s faith: Avoid a divided loyalty. Be not conformed to this world (Rom 12:2) for the world is ruled by unrighteousness: behaviours and mannerism and attitude that are at variance with godliness. Little wonder that the world is full of warfare, covetousness, injustice, partiality, oppression, suppression and repression.
A consecrated person has been imputed with the righteousness of God; he is not expected to be in fellowship with any unrighteousness. He has been taken from darkness unto the light of the beloved Son of God, therefore has no relationship with darkness again.
(b) It costs total loyalty and obedience to God (Heb. 5:8).
Consecration means you now look toward God all the time. God directs every inch of your step, your life and all that you do. He leads you according to his pleasure and purpose. The obedience to God that consecration demands talks about total surrender unto God; without looking back, without thinking of personal gain, without minding the circumstance or situation, whenever He asks us to do anything. We follow in the footsteps of Christ. “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered”. (Heb. 5:8).
(c.) It demands a life of discipline required in discipleship.
When we are not discipline we will miss the mark. Discipline is sacrifice. It takes sacrifice to be discipline. Like an athlete you lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract you from being an effective Christian. You have the finish line as the goal in view, and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:14).
- Spheres of consecration:
(a) Our Life — bodies, thoughts, plans, ambition and goals must be given to God in totality. Our life that is given to God for his direction and control takes priority over and above other things.
(b) Our Time must be consecrated to God. There is time for God’s service, and programme, and time for the service of others. (Eph. 5:16, Col. 4:5).
(c) Our service must be consecrated to God. Every service must be directed to God and to the advantage of humanity. (I Chr. 29:5).
(d) Our money. This must be used for the expansion of the gospel and the advantage of mankind. (I Cor. 16:1, 15).
(e) All of our gifts, talents are to be used for God, the giver and for human beings. God gave us gifts to be used for others to enjoy. When you are blessed, God wants you to be a blessing unto others.
- Benefits of consecration
(1) It keeps believers separated from the entanglements of the world and its allurements and distractions.
(2) It enhances our intimacy with God and deepens revelation and understanding of its purpose for our life.
(3) It produces in us a vision and divine grace to pursue a vision of actualization.
(4) It produces a life in tune with God, acceptable and pleasing to Him.
(5) It produces a life beneficial to God, and that is making impact on the life of others.
- Purpose of consecration
(a) God is holy and demands holiness and total devotedness, He says: ‘Be ye Holy for I am holy” (I Pet. 1:15,16; Lev. 11:44).
(b) Consecration gives purpose and meaning to life, as a consecrated person has a purpose and mission of a vision.
(c) Christ consecrated himself for the believer’s sake. (John 17:19).
(d) Consecration is the hall-mark and an identity of the believer for God’s given role in the society for the purpose of God in one’s life.
You need to consecrate your life unto God. Stop living a wayward life. Stop acts of abomination. Shun iniquities and sin. It takes a living sacrifice to produce sweet smelling savour that will reach heaven, and command divine blessings and true riches: Not by a sinful life.
The Psalmist asks; “who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His holy place? he that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation”? (Psalm 24:3-5).
The rewards of consecration are blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God. The blessing of the Lord makes one rich and adds no sorrow. His righteousness makes us beneficiary of His everlasting Kingdom.
Let me end this by saying in the word of Paul: “the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved. Amen. Please take the decision today, tomorrow may be too late.
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