775. 2CO 8:5. CONSECRATION TO THE LORD

2Co_8:5. Consecration to the Lord

"And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."’972Co_8:5.

The apostle is describing the benevolent conduct of the churches of Macedonia. They were afflicted and poor, but they were pious and liberal, 2Co_8:2; and their liberality was not only to the utmost of their ability, but beyond, see 2Co_8:3. They were deeply anxious to assist their suffering brethren, and therefore they prayed and urged the apostles, &c., 2Co_8:4 : "Praying us, with much entreaty, that we would receive the gift." In the text we have the great mainspring of this goodness and generosity brought out, for they had given themselves to the Lord, and united with the churches of the apostles by the will of God. Our reading is somewhat ambiguous, for it would appear that the apostles had hoped that they would have adopted a different course’97a better course. But if we read it thus, we have the clear sense, as well as the power of the text expressed: "Yea, and beyond our expectation, for they first gave themselves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God." Our text leads us to consider,

I. The subject of personal consecration to God.

II. Devotion to his Church.

III. The principles on which such a course is grounded. We are,

I. To consider the subject of personal consecration to God.

1. Something always precedes the consecration of the soul to God.

The mind must be awakened; consideration must be produced; a sense of our sin and danger must be felt; a knowledge of the way of salvation must be possessed. Now, in effecting this preparatory process, both the events of Providence and the means of grace are employed. Thus in the jailer at Philippi.

2. The act of consecrating ourselves includes,

(1.) The surrender of heart and soul to God. We will be the Lord’s; he shall be our God; he shall have our supreme love; all idols shall be cast down; he shall reign over us, and within us.

(2.) This surrender must be our own personal act. "Gave their own selves." Friends may instruct and counsel; they may allure by their kind spirit and example; they may influence by sweet persuasion; they may give efficiency to the whole by their fervent prayers’97but religion must be our own personal act. None gave others, but each one himself, to the Lord.

(3.) It must be a willing surrender. Religion is not to be the production of dread and terror, but of cheerfulness and love. This is beautifully expressed by the prophet Isaiah, Isa_44:5 : "One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall sub scribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel."

(4.) It must be a surrender in and through the mediation of Christ. We cannot come to God but by Christ Jesus. He will only receive us in and through him. Every plea, every name, every object of trust renounced; and in Christ’s name, righteousness, and merits must be all our trust. Under the law, the worshipper brought his gift and laid it on God’s altar. Christ is the altar. On this altar alone God will accept us.

(5.) This must be an entire and unreserved surrender of ourselves. God will have all as his right and due. The hand and heart’97the mind and life’97talents and influence.

The surrender must be entire, and not in part; and this is what the penitent believer is ready to give. The love of Christ causes the soul to exclaim,

"Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all."

(6.) This surrender must be given with earnestness and solemnity. The most momentous act to which our spirit can be called. It cannot be performed with half-heartedness, with apathy, or in the spirit of frivolity. Its weight impresses the whole spirit’97fills the whole mind.

(7.) This surrender must be made publicly. Real religion, that which is genuine, is in the heart; none but God can see it; but this must be accompanied by a visible and outward profession of Christ before men. Now this is most clearly insisted upon. "My sheep hear my voice, and follow me." "If any man will be my disciple," &c. "Whosoever is ashamed of me before men," &c. This leads us to notice the other branch of the text.

II. Devotion to the Church of Christ. "And unto us," &c.

1. Consider the propriety of this. Kindred spirits associating together. "I am a companion," &c. "We will go with you," &c. "This people shall be my," &c.

2. Consider the necessity for this.

We are only partially instructed’97liable to err’97weak. Counsel is necessary. Mutual sympathy, help, and comfort. Without this, how could ordinances be observed; Christianity diffused; Christian graces exhibited; or duties discharged?

3. Consider the advantages of this.

Union is both strength and comfort. Pilgrims go in company; soldiers unite in armies; individuals constitute themselves into families, &c. We notice,

III. The principles on which such a course is grounded.

Why should you give yourselves to the Lord and his people?

1. There is the high authority of God. God demands it. He issues his mandate; he claims this; he does so in justice to himself, and in mercy to you.

2. Your own present well-being. Religion will make you happy. No peace elsewhere. It is well with all who fear God.

3. The salvation of your immortal souls. No other way to heaven; no other escape from hell. Then all, now and forever, give yourselves to the Lord.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS