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A Godly Choice
Consecration I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.—Romans 12:1 The memorial season, remembering the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus for us and all the world, is a specially appropriate time to consider our consecration to God. Consecration is a term well known among the Bible Student Fellowship. It was also used freely in the Adventist Movement that formed around the ministry of Bro. William Miller of the early 1800s and preceded the truth movement. But in much of the Christian world, the term is rarely heard and its meaning seldom appreciated. One reason for this is a misunderstanding of the purpose of the Christian call. Some mistakenly suppose it is merely a means of escaping horrible punishment in the afterlife. Thus, a simple profession of faith and reasonably moral conduct are supposed sufficient to avoid jeopardy and secure a place in heaven. This seriously misapprehends God’s purpose. God is not merely saving a few before he destroys, or does something worse to, the vast majority. Rather, God is selecting among men and women of faith an elect class for a special honor during the coming millennium. This class will reign with Christ in heaven, as spiritual rulers of the world, to lead the remainder of the world into an era of righteousness, godliness, and truth.
This program will include all the dead of past ages, raised to life during the
millennium. As Satan and his demons now lead the world into sin and ignorance,
then Christ and his saints will lead the world into obedience and understanding
(see Revelation 20:1-3,6). High Standards When we understand the high honor to which the saints are called, we can better appreciate the high standards which are expected of them. These standards may be considered in four parts: 1) Godly Conduct; 2) Character Development; 3) Study of the Scriptures; 4) Service and Sacrifice. Godly Conduct. When the apostle Paul wrote his first epistle to the new ecclesia in Corinth, Greece, he knew some of them had practiced the darker sins of the world. He listed these in 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10—fornication, idolatry, adultery (and worse), thievery, coveting, intoxication, railing. He warned them, “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (verse 9). Those brethren were not then committing these deeds, but some of them had done so previously: “Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (verse 11). Having been washed, they should not return to the former conduct, nor should any of the consecrated. Repentance from sin is a prerequisite for consecration. The attitudes and conduct which should characterize all Christians, especially those who have consecrated their life to God, were described by Jesus himself in his “Sermon on the Mount.” They are humility, sorrow for sin, meekness, holiness, expressing mercy to others, purity of heart, making peace, and suffering for doing good (Matthew 5:1-12). Character Development. Christian character is the inward quality that produces holy Christian conduct. Our character is the sum of the principles and qualities that are in our heart and mind. Our character is expressed outwardly by our conduct. However, God knows the intent of our heart even when our conduct does not express our intents, or when our conduct is misunderstood by others. As a man “thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). It is the easiest thing possible to simply drift with the tide of the world. But one who has consecrated his or her life to God must resist this, knowing the spirit of the world leads contrary to the spirit of God. “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). “Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). We develop Christian character by accepting spiritual values, and applying them to the daily experiences we encounter. There are two well-known lists of Christian character. One is by the apostle Paul: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22,23). The other list is by the apostle Peter: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. For if these things be in you, and abound ... an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth” (2 Peter 1:5-12, condensed). Let those who have consecrated their lives to God “set your affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2), and seek daily to grow their characters in these qualities. Study of the Scriptures. If we are consecrated to God, we will want to know the plan of God so that we can be in harmony with Him, and work in sympathy with him. In the days of the apostle Paul, many of his fellow Jews had “a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). We should be zealous as they, but our zeal should be directed by an accurate knowledge of the divine plan. One of the central features of truth Paul labored to explain to brethren in his day was the change from the old Jewish age to the new Gospel age. When we observe how Paul reasoned on the subject, it teaches us how we can reason on Scripture. One method was understanding the types, or pictures, used in the Old Testament. For example, Paul cited the spiritual meaning of the wives of Abraham (see Galatians 4:21-31), the meaning of Israel’s Day of Atonement (Hebrews 9:1-14, 10:1-10), and the meaning of Melchizedek as a figure of Christ (Hebrews chapters 5 and 7). Another method was drawing lessons from the prophets (see Romans 9:23-33 for example). Those who have consecrated themselves to God will also want to know the plans and purposes of God which are maturing now. This can only be done through a study of the Scriptures, with the various helpful teachers He provides through the holy spirit. Thus all should think carefully about what is true respecting God’s plan. Become familiar with the Bible through continuing use, so that we know what it contains. The history of events from Adam forward is in the first section of the Old Testament, followed by the devotional books, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and then the prophets. In the New Testament are the four Gospels and Acts, then fourteen letters of exhortation from Paul, followed by seven epistles from James, Peter, John and Jude; the last book is Revelation. Study the truth with Bible in hand. Take time from daily life to read and think through the issues of truth. “Walk worthy of the Lord ... increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10). “This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Philippians 1:9). “No work is more noble and ennobling than the reverent study of the revealed purposes of God.” (The Divine Plan of the Ages, p. 13). Service and Sacrifice. Part of a consecrated life is active service in the cause of Christ, sacrificing earthly interests for our spiritual work. This means expending our time, strength, energy, talents, and our means for the Lord’s cause. This may include opening our homes for fellowship with the brethren. It will include attending meetings of the Lord’s people, rather than spending time on ourselves pursuing hobbies and things of this world. For the apostle Paul it meant travelling to serve brethren, preaching the truth, physical abuse, imprisonment, and finally martyrdom. The circumstances of consecrated brothers and sisters in Christ will vary, but each should look for opportunities to serve the truth and assist the brethren. The apostles of our Lord admonished us to do this, and gave examples of this in their own lives: “I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me” (Philippians 2:17,18, NASB). “Ye know the house of Stephanas ... that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints ... submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth” (1 Corinthians 16:15,16). “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 15:25,26). The Word “Consecration” This term, used so freely among Bible Students, is drawn primarily from the Old Testament. Eight different Hebrew words in the Old Testament are rendered consecrate, consecrated, consecration, or consecrations. 5144, nazar, to set apart (for sacred purposes), Numbers 6:12. This text refers to the Nazarite vow, which pictures the consecration of Christians to God. The worshipper taking this vow was to “consecrate [nazar] unto Jehovah the days of his separation.” We should set apart the days of our earthly life for the sacred purpose of devotion to God. 5145, nezer, something set apart. Numbers 6:7, “the consecration [separation] of his God is upon his head.” This also refers to those taking the Nazarite vow. 2763, charam, to seclude, by a ban, to devote to religious use: “I will consecrate their gain unto Jehovah” (Micah 4:13). This refers to the wealth of gentile nations used for good during the kingdom, after the judgments of God upon the nations have done their work. It is not directly relevant to our present study. 6942, qadash, to make, pronounce, or observe as clean. It is used three times of the priests: “Make Aaron’s garments [in which] to consecrate him” (Exodus 28:3); “Anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them” for the ministry (Exodus 30:30); “The priests, the sons of Aaron ... are consecrated to burn incense” (2 Chronicles 26:18). 6944, qodesh, a sacred place or thing: “All the silver, … gold, … brass and iron, are consecrated unto Jehovah” (Joshua 6:19). The precious things of the nations conquered by Joshua would “come into the treasury of Jehovah.” These precious things might represent the Church class (the elect of the Gospel age). Compare Haggai 2:7, 8, where the prophet describes God shaking the nations, with the silver and gold, representing the saints of God, coming in to glorify his spiritual temple. The most frequent Hebrew term rendered “consecrate” is actually a pair of words used together, 4390 (mala, to fill) and 3027 (yad, open hand). To fill an open hand, in this context, means for the priests to be devoted to their sacred duty to God and ministering to others. We should have our “hands full” in the sacred service which is our privilege. 4394, millu, from 4390, a filling, or consecration. This word is used of the offerings by which the priests were consecrated to their office. It appears six times in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 8, referring to the “ram of consecration.” Once it refers to the days of consecration of the priests (Leviticus 8:33). These uses of “consecration” respecting the priests of Israel also apply to us because we are called to be priests of God, to reconcile the world back to God during Christ’s millennial kingdom. We should be consecrated to God as those priests were, and even more deeply so. The New Testament The word “consecrated” is found twice in the New Testament. The more relevant case is in Hebrews 7:28 which speaks of Jesus consecrated as a priest: “The law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated{FOOTNOTE: The Greek word in this case is Strong’s #5048, teleioo, “to complete, accomplish, or consummate.” This Greek word is used twenty-three other times, rendered fulfilled, perfect, perfected, or finish.} for evermore.” Jesus is now our high priest, but during the Millennium we will join with him as priests for the world: “They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him [Christ] a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). Let us now consecrate our lives to God so that later we may serve with him to uplift the world. The second instance of “consecrated” in the New Testament is from a different Greek word, egkainizo, #1457 in Strong’s Concordance; it means “to renew, that is, inaugurate.” The word appears in Hebrews 10:20 and refers to the “new and living way, which he [Christ] hath consecrated [inaugurated] for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.” In this text we are reminded when Jesus died on the cross, the thick veil in the temple was rent from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). In the Old Testament the veil separated the Holy from the Most Holy; presumably the veil in the temple did the same. Thus the death of Christ opens up the way for us to approach the presence of God, through Christ. The present call of the Gospel age to consecrate our lives to God and embrace the heavenly call was never extended to people of past ages, not even to the righteous of those ages. This call is unique, and was opened up—inaugurated—through Christ’s death on the cross. The same Greek word, #1457, egkainizo, is used elsewhere only in Hebrews 9:18, “Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated [inaugurated, consecrated, egkainizo] without blood.” By using this word for the inauguration of the old covenant with Israel, and with the new call for the church, we are told the former was a type, figure, or representation, of the latter. In both cases blood offerings were necessary. At the establishment of the Law these blood offerings were animal sacrifices (Exodus 24:5). At the establishment of our heavenly call, the blood offering was the sacrifice of Jesus himself, crucified on the cross of Calvary (Hebrews 9:15).{FOOTNOTE: Hebrews 9:18 and 10:20, the only Scriptures which use egkainizo, are further linked by the text which follows in each case. Hebrews 9:19 speaks of the sprinkling of the Israelites with the blood which established the Law Covenant. Hebrews 10:21 refers to us “having our hearts sprinkled” by the blood of Christ. The parallel Paul makes is between the establishment of the Law Covenant with Israel in the Jewish age, and the better covenant applied to Christians during this Gospel age.}
By this means Jesus provided the ransom price for Adam’s race. Those who
consecrate their lives to God during the present Gospel age, receive the
redemption provided by this ransom now, whereas the world will receive the
redemption later, during the Millennial age. Are All Christians Consecrated? It would be good if they were, but not all are. Many believe in God, believe in Jesus as their savior, and appreciate what God has provided. They may, and should, refrain from sin and evil to their best ability. But they do not express their thanks by committing themselves personally. Others give of their time to attend worship services, some express their goodness by works of kindness and charity. This is commendable. But there is a further step necessary for those who would join the cause of Christ and become his, and that is a thoughtful consecration to God of their lives (Matthew 16:24; Romans 6:3,4). If this step is taken, then it is proper to symbolize that decision with water baptism, as a testimony to others that one is committed to God for life. If one has not considered the matter of consecration, take time to do so. It would be good to read our Lord’s words about this decision, in Luke 14, verse 26 through the end of the chapter. Mentally, let us put ourselves in the scene. Jesus was sitting in “the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day” (Luke 14:1). Some in the home were friends, some were not, but all watched him, and listened to his advice. He spoke of humility (verse 11), and of giving without thought of getting back in return in this life (verse 14). A friend remarked, “Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God” (verse 15). This prompted Jesus to give a parable about a great supper prepared by a good man, who sent his servants to invite his guests. It represents the invitation which God extended, through Christ, to come into the spiritual kingdom of God. Most of those invited declined, giving one excuse or another. So the man decided to open the invitation wider, to any who would be interested for, he insisted, “my house [will] be filled” (verse 23). Afterward Jesus departed, but “there went great multitudes with him” (verse 25). He turned, and addressed them. There we find the words of verses 26-35. If one has already, thoughtfully, given his or her life in consecration to God, this is a wonderful response to his invitation. If not, consider the benefits of doing so. Keep in mind the blessings promised, and the conditions for them: “By patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality” (Romans 2:7). Remember the privilege we will secure of being together with Christ, in heaven, to bless all the families of the earth during the millennium. The call is extended because God wishes us to respond favorably: “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). |