p. 5 | Consecration to God by Walter Jones

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 2, 1910

Consecration to God

By Walter Jones

WALTER JONES

WEBSTER defines consecration as the act of dedicating to sacred uses. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” This text states undeniable facts, which place human beings under obligations from which nothing can release them. The combined prices of all the commerce of the ages sink into insignificance when compared to the price paid for each human soul.

God’s by right of creation, man should have ever recognized the ownership, and proved loyal to his Creator. Failure to do this brought him into bondage to sin, which carried with it a train of woe, dealing out untold sorrow, sickness, suffering, and death,—death that could offer no release to those who entered its silent chambers, no ray of hope to its subjects.

Bordering on this abyss, wisdom, love, and mercy had provided a road that led from it to fields of joy, sunshine, glory, and an eternal life of bliss and happiness. But how can man, once on the downward road, turn into this heavenly pathway? Who will release the victims of death from their prison-house, and break the bars that close the gateway of its domain? Can angels ransom from the tomb? One may offer to undertake this work who understands something of the eternal purpose of the Creator. But could such a one cope with Lucifer, who had stood by the throne of God, who was perfect in beauty and full of wisdom, but who had become the author of death and the accuser of God? Would the sacrifice be sufficient?—No. The accusation of selfishness against the Creator might be made. Such a plan would not vindicate God’s love and mercy. Man must be redeemed with a greater price. There must come a sacrifice from the Godhead. He alone who stood with the Father, who understood perfectly the all-wise purpose of the Creator, and who wrought in his work, could atone for lost man. Man, entrusted with a kingdom, forfeited his dominion to a usurper. Failing to read in surrounding beauties and blessings the perfection of God’s character, he is given another chance. Justice demanded a ransom; and the Son of God offered his life to redeem man.

Bought with a price! How shall we estimate it? Dear friend, how will you estimate it? Your estimation is shown in the consecration you make to God. The extent of your dominion may not be as wide as that of Adam, but it is as broad as there is safety for you. Will you yield it to Satan? or will you prove loyal to Him who has given you the opportunity of testifying to the world and to the universe the value of the purchase of your soul? The estimate you give is the price you set on your own soul, and that is summed up in your own character.

To every one is given a talent, and the use made of it proves your estimate of that with which you are purchased. As you value your soul’s salvation, so you will use your talent for God. As you weigh the price paid for your redemption, so you will weigh the talent given you for the Master’s service. Did Heaven consider the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God for our redemption too much? Then when the Lord says, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service,” shall we consider it an unreasonable demand? Shall we count our life dear, and withhold our service from God, when we view the dying agonies of the Son of God on Calvary’s cross? Will you withhold your service from him who left a throne in heaven to become a servant for you? Are you unwilling to count not your life dear for the sake of Jesus, who laid down his life, and tasted death, that at last you might be able to say, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Do we realize what is comprehended in his command, “Love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another”? He said, “I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified.” When told of the riches of those realms of which we may become joint heirs with Jesus Christ, can we refuse to give bountifully of the means entrusted to us? The command, “As I have loved you, . . . love one another,” calls for a consecration that will cause us to yield all we have and all we are to the service of him who made no reserve for our sakes.

Henderson, Ky.