Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

The Hebrew word “consecrate” means, to be holy, to be set apart, indicating anything that was consecrated to God belonged to God and He did with it as it pleased Him (Romans 12:1,2).

We are to be completely set apart for His glory to do whatever is pleasing and acceptable in His sight and not according to our wishes. Whatever God chooses to do with our lives we must recognise that it is reasonable and not extreme, excessive, or unreasonable.

The idea of consecration deals with setting something apart wholly for God. From a deep perspective, it is not progressive but something one decides to do at a moment in time, whether it is consecrating one’s life to God or consecrating a gift to God. Although consecration is a decision we make at a specific moment of time we need to consciously choose to maintain that commitment.

Romans 6: 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. This is referring to the consecration that happened the moment we put our faith in Christ and we were set apart to God through the new birth. It is generally referred to as Instantaneous Sanctification.

Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. This is referring to the daily choice of consecration to live consecrated lives for the glory of God. It is generally called Progressive Sanctification.

Consecration is not so much about moral behavior, but a desire and a choice to be wholly dedicated and set aside for God. Sanctification is the result of consecration, and enables us to live lives that are pure and holy.

Joshua 3:5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” According to Joshua 3:5 God performed wonders among the Israelites when they consecrated themselves. A consecrated life commands authority in the spiritual realm (Acts 19:13-16). Those who are consecrated are protected by God (Psalm 91:1).

 

PASTOR ABRAHAM GEORGE