799. EXO 32:29. IMMEDIATE DEVOTEDNESS TO GOD
Exo_32:29. Immediate Devotedness to God
"Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord."’97Exo_32:29.
The literal history of the text is gathered from the preceding part, of which the text is the conclusion. Israel had grievously sinned; the wrath of God waxed hot against them. The sons of Levi were to be the messengers of his vengeance. And by the edge of the sword there fell 3,000 men. Our text had been the address of Moses to the sons of Levi on this awful occasion. We take the text, however, and apply it to a very different purpose. We design to rest upon it the great necessity and importance of immediate personal piety, and the desirableness that this act of consecration should take place. Thus applying our subject, and accommodating it to our present audience, we shall consider, by divine assistance,
I. The nature of this consecration.
To consecrate is to devote to divine purposes. Hence the vessels of the tabernacle. Also the victims for sacrifices. Likewise the priests and Levites to their official services. Now personal consecration to God is the entire surrendering of ourselves to serve and live to the glory of God. A state and life of sin is against God’97against his laws and authority, &c. Now, consecration to the Lord is the contrast of this’97the very opposite. In this there are several things involved.
1. We must recognize the claims of Jehovah.
He demands our hearts, souls, and lives. Are these claims just and reasonable? Do we dispute any of the grounds on which the claims of Jehovah rest? His supremacy, his creatorship, his preserving goodness, his redeeming right. Our own powers adapted to this exalted station. Now, these claims must be conceded, and fully recognized.
2. We must concur as to the manner of our consecration.
Every thing in religion must have God for its author, or it is spurious and counterfeit. Now God has not left this to our opinion or taste. We must be consecrated by water and blood. So were the priests of old. The blood of Christ is the only medium of our salvation. The sacrifice of Christ is the only foundation of our hopes. In it we have pardon, peace, and sanctification. In it our robes must be washed, &c. It cleanses from all sin. By baptism in water the external act of consecration is to take place. By the gospel men are to be brought to Jesus Christ. In his blood they find redemption, and then Christ is to be put on by baptism into his death. Neither of these will do alone. There must be faith and profession: profession and faith.
3. We must be deeply anxious respecting this consecration.
The course of a religious life cannot bo entered upon with indifference. The change is too great, and the matter too momentous, to be effected by a cold formality. The three thousand were pricked in their hearts, and cried earnestly, "Men and brethren," &c. So did Saul of Tarsus. So did the jailer at Philippi. A man’s soul must be impressed, and deeply wrought upon, and he must see this as the most important act in the world, and on which pend eternal consequences.
4. We must earnestly and believingly give ourselves up to the Lord.
Renounce our own imaginary right. Throw off the despotic yoke of the devil; come fully out of the world and prostrate our hearts, and souls, and bodies, at the footstool of God’s mercy.
"Take my body, spirit, soul,
Only thou possess the whole."
5. This act of consecration must be entire and forever.
No reservation, no half-hearted ness; not the assumption of the form only, but the power; not only the blessings, but the crosses of Christ must be taken. This consecration must be for all places, and seasons, and circumstances; for life and death, and forever.
6. This act must be our own individual act.
We may teach, invite, exhort, warn, and pray for others, but we can only consecrate ourselves. Religion, from first to last, is personal. My own mind, and heart, and life, are to be influenced by it.
7. This act must be effected and sustained by divine grace.
Hence the necessity of prayer and full dependence on the grace of God. Our convictions will be slight, our resolutions evanescent, our goodness transient, without this. We shall give up our purposes and break our vows without this. We must lay hold of God’s strength, cast ourselves entirely on his merciful aid, or we shall not consummate this great and essential work. I only add,
8. That this act must be immediate.
"To-day." To-day we have life, and the means, and the promises. To-morrow all may be lost, and forever. Now God stoops and entreats; now the gates of paradise are widely opened; now the Holy Spirit hovers, ready to descend; now angels wait, ready to strike their harps afresh:
"All heaven is ready to resound,
The dead’s alive’97the lost is found."
Now, let us urge you to this immediate consecration,
II. By several important considerations and motives.
1. It is rational.
Equally so, nay, more so, with allegiance to rulers, and obedience to parents. Every thing in religion dignifies its subjects. It tends to enlarge and refine the mind; it produces self-government; it enforces the various duties of life, propriety of speech and temper. Now, to say the least, all this is rational.
2. It is improving.
It makes men better’97better in all the relationships of life’97better hearted’97better parents, friends, neighbors, &c. The lion is now a lamb; the raven a dove; the curse a blessing. By your own dignity, then, I urge you to consecrate yourselves today to the Lord.
3. It is felicitous.
Produces real happiness, solid pleasure, internal joy. So striking is this, that the very features are affected by it. Now no terror, no remorse, no writhing, gnawing worm within. Now there is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, &c. Some have said, this is only imaginary and delusive. Be it so: what have you in its stead? Why do not deists provide their votaries imaginary felicity too?
4. It is consolatory.
We often require consolation. Trials of life, troubles of the world, afflictions, bereavements, &c. Now, in these times how sweet is consolation! As bread to the hungry’97as water to the fainting’97as rest to the weary’97so is consolation to the spirit. It makes happy in adversity and distress. It cheers and supports, and sanctifies our afflictions.
5. It is saving.
No salvation without personal consecration. This is salvation’97to be the Lord’s To say really and experimentally, The Lord is my salvation; his favor is life; his love is heaven; his wrath is hell. All who remain unconverted are cast as briers, and thorns, and chaff, into the burning lake. Enemies are dashed in pieces; unprofitable servants cast into outer darkness. But the saints, the devoted children of God, are confessed, and exalted, and glorified, with Christ forever and ever.
Application
1. Let me urge the text on all classes, the young especially. Oh, I long to see a host of young persons, who will join a juvenile band to serve and fear the Lord. Oh, decide, all and every one.
2. Let me urge all now. "To-day." This first Sabbath of the new year. From this time resolve’97this very night.
3. I urge by a countless number of considerations. By the majesty and glory of the God who seeks your salvation, and not death. By the grandeur of his majesty’97the greatness of his power, and the fierceness of his wrath. By the spirit within you. That thinking, eternal, conscious soul, that pants for happiness: oh, consecrate it to the Lord. By the flight of time. The years, and months, and days are flying. Our opportunities are passing away. Remember, when time is wasted, more than blood is spilt. By the solemnities of death. You must die, and perhaps this year. By a heaven of glory’97to this you are called. There is a throne, a crown, offered you. An ocean of bliss may be yours. By a hell of horror, and wailing, and woe. Oh, flee from the wrath to cone! Oh, straightway flee from the brink of blackness and the regions of despair. Now, who will consecrate himself this day to the Lord?
Autor: JABEZ BURNS