In certain places, there are thoughts based on a misunderstanding of consecration. Some people view it simply as time spent lying on a piece of cloth spread out on the floor, a consecration prayer, or a time of fasting. Lying down to spend time in prayer is not discouraged. Fasting and/or isolating oneself for a while to be with the Lord is recommended.

However, engaging in all of this does not make a man or woman of the Church a consecrated Christian if they have not received faith in the Son of God, the only one who truly disposes a person to renounce the world and its works, as well as to renounce oneself to walk in His footsteps. They will remain a blind practitioner whose mind and religious fanaticism will lead them far from the Lord.

True consecration removes the ordinary or common nature of any object or person that is consecrated. It involves separation, sanctification, and elevation. It means moving from one order to another, superior order, to serve a different purpose. The one who is consecrated is thus distinguished, separated, holy, and elevated above…

Every true Christian has previously been consecrated, meaning considered as separated and holy by the Lord Himself before being called. However, once their call is received, it primarily aims at holiness in conduct, being the only proper way to respond to God’s calling. It is written:

“The One who called you is holy, so be holy in all your conduct.” 1 Peter 1:15.

It is wrong to believe that our holiness is only by position in Christ. We are asked to renounce dead works, to no longer walk as the Gentiles who walk according to the vanity of their minds, to not indulge in excesses of debauchery… in short, to practice holiness. The Son of God, who knows the Father’s will for us better than anyone, said:

“Therefore, be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

The consecration of a Christian begins when they receive the Lord’s word, place all their trust in it, and commit to fully practicing it, no matter the cost. They know they belong to another Kingdom and not to this world, even though they live in it for a short time. Being in the world, they live according to the Kingdom of God. The consecrated Christian has renounced the world and all it could offer, even if it means suffering or dying.

The consecration of a Christian is evident in the new purpose they pursue, the new cause they defend, their new hope, and the new discipline they practice in their new family: all with total obedience to God, above their own life. Having received the Lord’s peace, they reject the world’s peace, which they are convinced is false. Carrying within them the life of God through Jesus Christ, they do not seek to preserve their life in this world.

This is why they are not afraid of being insulted or dying for the Name of the Lord. Knowing they are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, and therefore fully assured of possessing all things in the coming Kingdom of God—things that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, nor has entered into the heart of man—they endure the loss of their possessions, hunger, thirst, nakedness, and all other forms of deprivation with patience and joy, glorifying their Lord.

A consecrated Christian does not take revenge, for their life is not their own. To their God and Father alone belongs all vengeance. They patiently await the coming of the Kingdom of God, in which their right as a child of God will be fully granted to them. During the first thousand years of reigning with the Lord Jesus, armed with a rod of iron, they will shepherd the nations and possess the world (Revelation 2:26-27; 5:9-10; 20:4).

A consecrated Christian does not participate in popular demonstrations aimed at supporting or overthrowing a government. They have their opinions but hold no radical political position. They let the world manage its own affairs, while they pray for those around them and do good to all, being a model of righteousness and love.

They comfort the afflicted, welcome the disadvantaged, feed the hungry… without regard to their origin, affiliation, or viewpoint. Their Lord cares for the weakest, and they do the same. A consecrated Christian places the will of Jesus Christ first and adopts His priorities as their own.

The consecrated Christian obviously practices the spiritual discipline of prayer, fasting, and vigils. They read and meditate daily on the apostolic and prophetic writings to be instructed and to know the Lord’s will, and they do not turn away from them for anything in the world. They remain submissive and honor their leaders, for whom they constantly pray and with whom they share their temporal goods so that they have enough to feed themselves and their families and do not worry, which would not benefit the Christian at all.

The consecrated Christian prioritizes the interests of the Body of Christ, to which they belong, over their own. They do not hurt their brothers and sisters but encourage and support them in their weaknesses so that no one is deprived of God’s grace or goes astray due to poor conduct. They seek, above what would please them, what contributes to the edification of the greatest number.

The consecration of a Christian is also evident in their management of time. The many systems of influence in this world, being channels of seduction, serve, among other things, to occupy people with all sorts of programs that do not help at all, except to keep them in bondage, far from the Lord.

Through arts, entertainment, and cultures, including music, which itself promotes corruption, debauchery, and Satanism, and through sports competitions, the attention of almost all humanity is taken without their thoughtful consent, being deceived. They have been imposed an entire schedule of which they know nothing, neither its existence nor its origin.

A consecrated Christian nourishes their heart and mind with the word of God, with hymns and spiritual songs, while setting their affection not on things of this world, but on those above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God, and which will soon be revealed to us. It is not forbidden for a consecrated Christian to enjoy leisure, go on vacation, or relax, but they will always choose their priority based on the Lord, their fight for faith, and to keep themselves pure because of the hope that is in them (1 John 3:1-3).

The consecration of a Christian will also be evident in their management of money and possessions in general. If they themselves are consecrated to the Lord and His cause, their possessions are likewise. Therefore, they do not squander but wisely distinguish between what should be sown and what is appropriate to eat or use for themselves.

Indeed, God provides both: seed to the sower and bread for food (2 Corinthians 9:10). When the wisdom of God inhabits them, the consecrated Christian will never eat the seed, only the bread. The seed is the portion of possession of every saint that must be used for the good of the Body of Christ, His work, or for alms…

This seed is to be given regularly, without sadness or compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7), in the form of offerings and donations, or when the assembly is called for a collection in favor of a cause that the leaders believe is just…

This text is an extract from the book “ INSIGHTS FOR AN EFFECTIVE MINISTRY ” written by Wiftherlin Léon.

We invite you to read the following article “BEING A TRUE SON.”