Timeless Truth. Journey with Joshua 1. Consecration - A Word We Don't Use Every Day

Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits [a] between you and the ark; do not go near it.”

5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

Joshua 3:1-5

Webster defines “consecrate” as to declare sacred.

A Bible dictionary’s definition is an act by a person dedicated to the service/worship of God.

God does not want a “casual dating relationship” with you.

God’s real desire is to have a life-changing relationship with each of us.

Your daily life relationships are meant to model the relationship God wants with you. They cannot be casual or occasional.

The marriage relationship is the finest earthly example of sanctification.*

1. The date you establish the relationship matters.
2. God doesn’t expect you to be perfect and never have a bad day. Bad days do not mean the relationship is over.
3. The relationship must be of the highest priority. Something is wrong if your marriage relationship is not a priority. Love should grow and mature over time.
4. You get out of the relationship what you choose to put into the relationship.

God wants to do amazing, life-altering thing 

with and for you.

It takes the consecrated relationship with God 

for that to happen.

*From Article of Faith 10 at http://nazarene.org/articles-faith

X. Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification

10. We believe that sanctification is the work of God, which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. It is wrought by God’s grace through the Holy Spirit in initial sanctification, or regeneration (simultaneous with justification), entire sanctification, and the continued perfecting work of the Holy Spirit culminating in glorification. In glorification, we are fully conformed to the image of the Son.

We believe that entire sanctification is that act of God, subsequent to regeneration [forgiveness of sins], by which believers are made free from original sin, or depravity, and brought into a state of entire devotement to God, and the holy obedience of love made perfect.

It is wrought by the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit, and comprehends in one experience the cleansing of the heart from sin and the abiding, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering the believer for life and service. Entire sanctification is provided by the blood of Jesus, is wrought instantaneously by grace through faith, preceded by entire consecration; and to this work and state of grace the Holy Spirit bears witness.

This experience is also known by various terms representing its different phases, such as “Christian perfection,” “perfect love,” “heart purity,” “the baptism with or infilling of the Holy Spirit,” “the fullness of the blessing,” and “Christian holiness.”

Thanks to Dr. Scott Peterson for the primary teaching in this post.

The next Timeless Truth is Journey with Joshua 2. Signs for You and Me

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