Consecration
Consecration is a theological word that we do not use very often. I think we should use it more, though. We talk about dedication, instead of consecration. However, they are not really the same thing. Aaron and his sons were consecrated to be priests. There is a whole chapter of Leviticus that explains the process of consecration. The chapter culminates by describing how Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood on the altar and sprinkled it on Aaron, his sons, and their garments. (Leviticus 8:30) Let's see what that means to us.
The word consecration comes from the word "holy." It means to be wholly set apart to the Lord. Priests were consecrated or ordained, because they were set apart to fill the role of the priest. However, all believers should be consecrated to the Lord all of the time. We should present ourselves to Him each day, and ask Him to use us in His power to do His will. That shows how we are totally dependent on the Lord, whereas dedication makes it sound like we have to do it in our own power. The oil that was put on the priests represented the Holy Spirit and their need for the Spirit to empower and guide them. The blood represented the fact that their sins could only be atoned for by the shed blood of an innocent animal. They could not be good enough to have their sins forgiven. We have to have the Spirit filling us today, if we are to do God's will, and of course, it is only by the blood of Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven. Therefore, we owe the Lord everything, so we give Him ourselves daily. I pray that all of us who know the Lord will practice consecration every day and ask the Lord to use us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 9-11.
The word consecration comes from the word "holy." It means to be wholly set apart to the Lord. Priests were consecrated or ordained, because they were set apart to fill the role of the priest. However, all believers should be consecrated to the Lord all of the time. We should present ourselves to Him each day, and ask Him to use us in His power to do His will. That shows how we are totally dependent on the Lord, whereas dedication makes it sound like we have to do it in our own power. The oil that was put on the priests represented the Holy Spirit and their need for the Spirit to empower and guide them. The blood represented the fact that their sins could only be atoned for by the shed blood of an innocent animal. They could not be good enough to have their sins forgiven. We have to have the Spirit filling us today, if we are to do God's will, and of course, it is only by the blood of Jesus that we can have our sins forgiven. Therefore, we owe the Lord everything, so we give Him ourselves daily. I pray that all of us who know the Lord will practice consecration every day and ask the Lord to use us.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 9-11.