The horizontal and the vertical.
You can’t have one without the other.
And it does take effort.
I understand all too well there are some people that the bridge has been burnt and they simply will not respond to reconciliation. However there cannot be consecration without at least the pursuit of reconciliation.
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12 v 14)
Remember when Paul decided he would take the Nazirite vow for a period of 30 days in which one of the things he had to do was not to cut his hair during that time (Numbers 6:1-21). This vow was for those who wanted to give time to draw closer to God, for the separation of their life from the pressures of the world and to give oneself wholly to the Lord. After 30 days their hair would be cut and presented at the temple as an offering in the fire.
The Apostle Paul had decided to take this vow.
- Paul chose to stay in Corinth and especially living in such a wicked city it warranted the need for commitment to God.
Sometimes to remain in a situation you have to re-consecrate yourself to God to give you the strength to stay. Consecration means you are securing your position in perhaps a very insecure surrounding. That position is to God and your relationship with Him in the place He has brought you.
- Paul made some strategic decisions and that happened during his time of consecration to God. He would leave Silas and Timothy behind to train leaders and the church whilst he would take Priscilla and Acquilla and go to Syria.
Sometimes you have to know when to leave and who to leave behind. Not everyone can come with you but everyone needs to feel they are fulfilled in the purposes of God. If you leave then make sure those who are left are fulfilling their calling.
Sometimes you have to appoint new people to be your accompanying partners. This can be difficult if you are used to having certain friends who have walked your path for many years with you.
Consecration leads to stripping back all the distractions so that God can show us the right decisions to make.
- Paul sailed from Cenchrea, an important harbour at the time, the place where a church had been planted and where one of the deaconesses, Phoebe, would deliver a letter to the Roman Church (Romans 16:1). It was here that Paul decided to end his vow at the place where he would literally distance himself from others and continue in His destiny.
Sometimes you need to get to the place where it is going to happen. Every chapter needs a new page. Many long for their destiny but don’t make the effort needed to get to the place where they will see what they long to see.
Paul had his hair cut. The vow of commitment had been made. His hair was just a sign of what had happened within. He cut his hair but his heart remained consecrated to God. The period of consecration comes to an end and we move forward. The landscape may remain but we are seeing things differently. Our destiny is clearer now we are consecrated to God.
Consecration to Christ is certain and for the purpose of commitment, strategy and destiny.
Missions Paul 