Every Believer carries within them the ability to operate as God’s representatives on earth, because our spirits are in union with the Holy Spirit. However, we also carry the ability to operate as carnal beings who are only interested in satisfying the desires of the flesh. Thankfully, we don’t need to struggle between these two realms. We can consistently position ourselves as those who live by the Spirit to serve the purposes of God in our generation.
“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 2:20-21
Apostle Paul uses the analogy of vessels in a great house to reveal how God equips us for divine purpose. The different types of vessels are all found in the Kingdom. We got into the great house, not by merit, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But our level of service in the Kingdom is determined by our Consecration.
To be consecrated is to be set apart for a specific purpose. It is a necessary process for anyone God will use. We see it in the old covenant where Aaron and his sons had to be consecrated to serve as priests. The vessels in the temple had to be consecrated by anointing. First-borns were also consecrated unto God. In the New Testament we see the consecration of baby Jesus in the Temple, we see his 40-day consecration in the wilderness after he was baptized, and later, see it in different forms in the early church, like in Antioch where Paul and Barnabas received their missionary assignment (Acts 13:1-3). As God’s royal priesthood, we must also be consecrated for the purpose God has designed us for. It is not just for preachers, but for every child of God.
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
Through consecration, you build the capacity and sensitivity required for fulfilling God’s will for your life.
There are three components of a consecrated life.
1. Priority. Consecration requires that you have a clearly defined priority, one thing that matters above all else, and this should be your connection to your Father. Nothing should be powerful enough to disrupt your love and commitment to God; He must always come first. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33
2. Separation. A consecrated life is not found just anywhere, being friends with everyone, and doing everything. Because that life is dedicated to a specific purpose, it will be separated from anything/anyone that does not align with this purpose. It goes beyond separation from sin. It is a separation from anything that will distract you or interfere with your dedication to God and the purpose to which you have been called. You will need to separate from unfruitful associations, habits, and even thought patterns. “. . . let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
3. Devotion . There must be a clearly defined pattern in your daily routine that emphasizes your priority. If God is your priority, there must be something you do consistently, each day, that shows that of all the things in this life, He comes first. Jesus had a pattern; He would rise up early each morning, and go to a solitary place to pray. Every life of impact has a pattern. You must also create Godly patterns in your life to walk in the fullness of all God has for you; patterns of prayer, meditation, fasting, etc. “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice — the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” – Romans 12:1
Consecration is only effective when it is done with the help of the Holy Spirit. Your Father desires to see you operate in power and glory, and you cannot afford to delay your season of manifestation. There is help available to you to live a consecrated life. Embrace it.