Consecrated and Holy
One of my favourite hymns says: “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.” To consecrate something means to offer it to God so that He can make it sacred and holy.
During Holy Communion the minister offers the bread and wine to God so that they are consecrated, made holy in a particular way. We sometimes talk of consecrating buildings by anointing them and setting them apart for the work of God.
The Christian life is not only receiving God’s forgiveness, it is consecrating our lives to God for His glory. The truth is, many of us want Jesus as our Saviour but not as our Lord. We want Him for the benefit of forgiveness and mercy, but we don’t want to live our lives in allegiance to Him.
Surrendering to God's Love for Transformation
I love how, when Thomas was convinced that Jesus was who He said He was, we read that Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” When God saves us and forgives us, we don’t just go back to life as normal. We see Him as our Lord and God. We say to Him “take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee!”
Max Lucado once said that God loves us just the way we are – but refuses to leave us that way. He wants to change us, to transform us, to make us like Jesus. He wants our lives to be holy – filled with love, and free from sin.
We can turn away from our old lives of sin and selfishness, to pursue a life of holy living. Otherwise, why would all those verses in the New Testament be there? We can live holy lives - not to try earn His love – we’ve already receive His love! But because of the love He’s given, we give our own lives to be lived in a Christ-like way.
Let me ask you: Are you tired of the sin in your life constantly dominating you? Are you tired of going back to God again and again with the same sins? Is it time for you to make a complete consecration of your life to God today? Is it time for you to go further than just the forgiveness part of your faith, and commit to being holy for Him?
Total Surrender: A Life of Holiness
Keith Drury says: “If you do this—and really mean it—what does God do? He accepts it. God is in the business of accepting offerings consecrated to Him. If you put your all on the altar, God will accept your gift. And what will God do with a totally consecrated man or woman? God will fill you completely with His Holy Spirit. He will cleanse and empower you through the Holy Spirit, enabling you to live a holy life.”[i]
My life was changed when I did this. I discovered that, surrendered to God completely, I could live free from the sins that used to hold me back, and I could grow more and more into the fullness of love that God had in store for me. It was a wonderful freeing moment for me.
Countless other believers have attested to this. You too can be free.
Make your consecration. Receive His Spirit’s infilling.
And find a new life of holiness.
[i] Drury, K. 1983. Holiness for Ordinary People. Marion: Wesleyan Publishing House
