Leviticus 20: 7 – 8 Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

Consecration is a word often used in religious circles.  Sometimes it refers to the ceremonial dedication of someone such as a bishop, minister or other personnel. It is also used in connection with new buildings or items built or purchased for use in connection with worship. It connotes setting apart for a specific holy purpose.  Implicitly there is a “from this day forward” sentiment.

Likewise there is a need for consecration in the lives of believers. The passage above makes clear that consecration has two aspects. Firstly, there is that which God initiates: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). When the Spirit of God drew you to himself and you accepted Christ as Savior, you came into a new relationship with God. In that moment God consecrated or set you apart for himself.

The other aspect is your responsibility. Consecration requires giving God first place in your priorities and consciously forsaking sin. It is a call to holiness. Consecration brings about changes in your value system which is then controlled by the overwhelming desire to serve God “from this day forward”. It requires regularly setting aside time and place to meet with God to enjoy his presence and listen to his voice. This might mean sacrificing other activities, friendships, and perhaps resources to enable you to do the things that please him. For some, consecration could cost life itself.