“Consecration”

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mother Teresa

Overview

We’ve now reached the end of what is possible in this life. To be clear, scripture indicates that there is one stage we cannot experience until death: glorification. In glory, our corruptible selves will put on incorruptibility. Our moral selves will put on immortality.

The Consecration stage typically occurs close to death (although it can occur earlier). It can best be described as the great reversal within the human heart. For our entire lives, we thought of ourselves first, but in this stage, a new default mode has been born with primarily a concern for God and neighbor. Furthermore, disobedience and rebellion are no longer strong temptations during Consecration. Our new natural disposition is to seek and obey the will of God, no matter the cost. We do not find joy in anything else but that which God wants for us and the world. In fact, those in the Consecration stage can go very long stretches without acts of intentional sin. While it is still possible to sin or stray during this stage; during this stage, willful sin has become largely replaced with a desire to love and obey. Overall, faith no longer feels like an obligation or like robotic acts of devotion. God has become our heart’s only desire.

Disclaimer: While some Christian traditions believe we can only experience Consecration for short durations of time while here on earth, others believe one can reach and remain in this stage for the remainder of their life. The main takeaway is most Christian traditions believe this level of holiness can be reached in this life.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3)

Levels for Stage 9:

  • Knowledge of God

    Extensive knowledge into most subjects within Christian faith and life. Also quite knowledgeable about the universal human condition and how God works in both Christian and trans-Christian ways.

    Baseline: Aware of the limitations within Christian thought. Actively searching for comprehensive understandings of the divine.

  • Spiritual Disciplines

    Sees no distinction between spiritual and secular life. All of life is worship. Every moment is prayer and communion with Christ.

    Frequency: Most of the day

  • Service of Others

    Envisions every day and every place as an opportunity to join in the mission of God. Frequently discerns God’s voice and invitation to serve.

    Frequency: Daily

  • Church Engagement

    Actively attending and supporting the church, but now they exist to influence the influencers. Sees their role as primarily a supporter of the primary leaders in the church (i.e. pastor, lay leader, etc.)

    Frequency: Weekly or more

  • Witness to Others

    Actively mentoring several students of the faith. Helps coach believers/leaders in strategies for sharing their faith effectively and faithfully.

    Frequency: Weekly

The “Consecration Stage” found in scripture:

  • Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

    Psalm 19:13

  • Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.

    Matthew 5:48

  • May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    1 Thessalonians 5:23

Spiritual Diet during
this Stage

  • One of the primary themes of this stage is freedom. Freedom from past sins and temptations that used to have a hold over us. However, it is important to remember that the freedom Christ gives is not only a freedom FROM (sin, death, etc.), but a freedom FOR (obedience, service, etc). In other words, we are freed from sin and death so that we can become vessels of abundant life for others. As Jesus said, to whom much is given, much will be required. For those who have been given much grace, much will be asked of them in the church and in the world. During this stage, our goal is to live in total surrender to the voice and will of God. Again, not out of obligation, but heart’s new natural desire. In fact, you have reached a point where nothing can offer the same amount of joy as living within God’s will for your life.

  • In many ways, we are merely stewards of God’s grace. Meaning, we must allow grace to permeate our lives, and then overflow into the lives of others before we are gone. Otherwise, if God’s good work dies with us, we might have prevented God’s salvific power from having it’s full effect. That is why during this stage we must begin thinking about each of our spiritual heritage. What kind of inheritance are we leaving not just for the people we have influence, but future generations? Maybe it is time to start mentoring someone in the faith? Maybe it is time to develop future leaders who will carry the baton into its next phase? Maybe it is time that you give to a cause whose work will continue after you are gone? In this stage, it is imperative that we remember God’s salvation takes place in the short-term and the long-term. Meaning, it is true that God wants to save your life, but God also has a much longer view in mind. God ultimately plans to reconcile all of creation. How can you be sure that whatever God has done in you doesn’t just benefit you? How can you be sure that God’s future children…most of which you may never meet…are impacted by what God started during your time on earth?

  • To be clear, we have done it all wrong if we reach this stage and no longer have questions about God. We missed the point entirely if we eventually exchange curiosity about divine mystery with certainty. During this stage, ironically one’s curiosity about God is often at its highest. In fact, most people at this stage are more aware of what they DON’T know about God, rather than what they know about the divine. Feed and cultivate that curiosity in God, in neighbor and yourself during this stage. Allow this stage to be one of endless adventure as you plumb the depths of God and prepare for life beyond this one.

Sample Exercises

  • So often, how we describe acts of obedience and devotion are filled with words of sacrifice, pain, and self-denial. And while that may be required, the other reality that often accompanies obedience is joy. It is happiness. Isn’t it sad to suggest that following Jesus should be fun for the believer? During this stage, there will be a lot more joy to your faith than there was early on. In a way, you’ve transitioned from a faith out of obligation to a faith that is your newfound orientation. Thus, it would be beneficial to not only discover FUN opportunities to be faithful to Christ, but to talk about it too! Especially for the younger believers, it is vital they know that they are committing to a life that is not only good for them, but one they will actually enjoy. Ultimately, if we believe the Gospel to be Good News, then Jesus’ life should eventually make us happier than we were before right? Otherwise, it is just “OK News.”

  • This exercise has a dual benefit. By making time and space to invest in those new to faith, you are not only a blessing to them…but allowing them to bless you. Meaning, one of the temptations of this stage is to see one’s spirituality as superior or separate from everyone else. By spending time with those new to faith, you are continuously re-tethering your connection to the body of Christ. And who knows, you might even learn something about yourself or God that you wouldn’t have otherwise encountered by listening to young believers.

  • Again, one of the traps is losing one’s curiosity about God, ourselves and humanity. Maybe this is a season to study more about the Holy Spirit? Maybe it is learning about other religions? Maybe it is increasing one’s emotional intelligence? And maybe you can’t gain any one of those things where you are. Maybe it is time to get out of town and into what scripture calls, “the wilderness.” Perhaps a trip to the Holy Land? Or maybe a local Abbey/Monastery? If needed, find a guide to help you make the best of your trip.

Trap #9 to avoid:

Pious Perfectionism

The final trap awaiting the believer in the Consecration stage is quietly destructive. In a word, it is a form of despair. At this stage, we can become despairing at the fact that we cannot reach total perfection in this life. In fact, the possibility of lacking knowledge, committing unintentional sins or discovering bias/prejudice become terrifying to someone who falls into this perfectionistic trap. Thus, it is common to begin resenting this faith you’ve cherished for so long OR you begin hiding those hidden mistakes and sins from others to avoid accountability. Very simply, sin feeds off of secrecy. By allowing our shame to hide our mistakes, we are reversing the current back in the direction of selfishness and disobedience.

ADVICE: Be careful about claiming you have reached this stage. As stated above, it is extremely common for believers to only experience this stage in spurts. In those moments, it is best to privately express gratitude to God alone.

Resources

For more information about this stage of the Christian journey, use the link below!