Consecration

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 10
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This term is from the Old Testament, but the truth of it is also found in the New Testament, even though the word isn’t. “Consecration” means, “to fill the hands” (Ex. 32:2929For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. (Exodus 32:29) – margin; 1 Kings 13:3333After this thing Jeroboam returned not from his evil way, but made again of the lowest of the people priests of the high places: whosoever would, he consecrated him, and he became one of the priests of the high places. (1 Kings 13:33) – margin). A “consecrated” Christian is one who has his hands full in the discharge of his service for the Lord. He is busy in the things of the Lord, and this to the point where he doesn’t have room for extraneous things in his life.
This is illustrated in the consecration of the priests in the Old Testament. In Exodus 29, after Aaron’s sons were washed with “water” (vs. 4), sprinkled with “blood” (vs. 20), and anointed with “oil” (vs. 21), Moses filled their hands with ten things that typify Christ in various ways (vss. 22-24). If we could picture those priests in our minds standing there on that day with all those things in their hands, we would immediately understand that they didn’t have room for other things. Similarly, a consecrated Christian is a focused individual whose life is full with the service of the Lord.
Oftentimes dedication is confused with consecration, but there is a difference:
•  Dedication has to do with the believer putting something into the Lord’s hand—i.e. his life, to be used as He pleases (Rom. 12:11I 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)).
•  Consecration has to do with the Lord putting something into the believer’s hands—i.e. a work that the believer can do for Him (Rom. 12:6-86Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6‑8)).