How can we apply the concept of consecration in our daily lives today? Setting the Scene “He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils, the basin and its stand, to consecrate them.” The altar and every tool around it were saturated with oil to mark them as “belonging to the LORD.” Nothing stayed ordinary once it was touched by that holy anointing. What Consecration Looked Like Then • Sprinkling happened “seven times” — a number of completeness, signaling total dedication. • Every utensil, no matter how small, was included; nothing was left out. • The oil set them apart permanently; they wouldn’t return to common use. What Consecration Means for Us Now “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…? Therefore glorify God with your body.” “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual worship.” Just as the altar was drenched in oil, our whole lives are to be saturated with allegiance to God. Daily Habits That Reflect Consecration • Begin each morning by acknowledging, “Lord, this day is Yours—every thought, word, and action.” • Guard your entertainment choices; if content wouldn’t belong in the tabernacle, it doesn’t belong in your mind. • Tithe your time: schedule intentional moments in Scripture and prayer before other commitments crowd in. • Honor your body: nutrition, rest, and purity signal that this “utensil” remains for holy use. • Speak life-giving words; consecrated lips avoid gossip, profanity, and bitterness (Ephesians 4:29). • Treat finances as sacred resources: budget with generosity and integrity (Proverbs 3:9-10). • Set relational boundaries that uphold God’s standards, whether in dating, marriage, or friendships (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). • Serve others regularly; a consecrated heart looks for ways to wash feet, not to be served (Mark 10:45). Jesus, Our Greater Anointing “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” The oil in Leviticus pointed forward to the Holy Spirit. Through Christ, we’re cleansed and indwelled so we can live set-apart lives every day. Verses to Remember • 1 Peter 1:15 – 16: “Be holy in all you do.” • James 4:8: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” • Psalm 24:3-4: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” A Final Encouragement Consecration isn’t a one-time event; it’s the ongoing choice to let God’s “oil” reach every corner of life. Keep inviting Him to claim, cleanse, and use you—just like Moses did with every last utensil at the altar. |
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