How can we apply the concept of consecration in our daily lives today? Setting the Stage: Exodus 29:31 in Context “ You are to take the ram of ordination and boil its flesh in a holy place.” This single line sits inside a larger ceremony where Aaron and his sons are set apart for priestly service. Every detail—animal, cooking method, location—signals that the whole moment belongs to God alone. Principle 1: Consecration Begins with God’s Provision • The ram was supplied at God’s command, not human invention. • Likewise, our consecration starts with what God provides—chiefly the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). Practical step: Begin each day by acknowledging that any holiness you pursue is possible only because He first acted on your behalf (1 John 4:19). Principle 2: Consecration Demands a Holy Place • The meat had to be boiled “in a holy place.” Location mattered. • Today, the “holy place” is your own life, now God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Practical step: Guard the spaces you inhabit—digital feeds, entertainment choices, conversations—so they resemble a sanctuary rather than a marketplace. Principle 3: Consecration Involves Whole-Self Devotion • The entire ram was dedicated to God—no leftovers for casual use. • Romans 12:1 urges us to be “a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” Practical step: – Mind: Filter thoughts through Philippians 4:8. – Body: Pursue purity and health, rejecting anything that defiles (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). – Time: Schedule blocks for Scripture, worship, and service before leisure activities claim them. Principle 4: Consecration Is Sustained by Spiritual Nourishment • The priests ate part of the offering, symbolizing ongoing dependence. • Jesus echoes this with “Whoever eats My flesh… remains in Me” (John 6:56). Daily habit: Feed on the Word before feeding on the world—read or listen to Scripture early, letting it set the tone for every decision. Principle 5: Consecration Is Public and Communal • The ordination was a public rite; Israel watched their priests be set apart. • Our consecration should be noticeable, encouraging fellow believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). Ways to live this: – Speak openly of what God is teaching you. – Volunteer visibly in church and community service. – Celebrate milestones of obedience, giving glory to God. Quick Checklist for Daily Consecration □ Start the day acknowledging Christ’s finished work. □ Set apart your environments as holy spaces. □ Present mind, body, and schedule as living sacrifices. □ Nourish your soul before addressing worldly tasks. □ Let your consecration be visible, encouraging others. Closing Encouragement God called ordinary men to extraordinary priestly service through a simple act of obedience with a ram in a holy place. He still calls ordinary believers to live consecrated lives that display His holiness to a watching world. |