A Deeper Consecration By Joel M. Killion E-mail, joel@innerlifeministries.com Website, innerlifeministries.com
	“I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, when you were young you girded yourself [put on your own belt or girdle] and you walked about wherever you pleased to go.  But when you grow old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will put a girdle around you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” John 21:18, Amplified The Christian life consists of three stages of spiritual development: Little children, young men and fathers (1 Jn. 2:12-14). Thus, there is a difference between those who are spiritually “young” and those who are spiritually “old.” Each grade of growth is bitter-sweet in its own way. When we are young, “we” dress “ourselves” (we cloth ourselves any way we please) and go anywhere we want (we do whatever we want) cause we are children, “footloose and fancy free.” But when we “grow older,” “we” realize that “we” cannot do everything “we” want; we cannot dress as “we” please; “we” cannot go wherever “we” wish because much is required of those to whom much is given. As a child, we think and reason like a child; therefore we think, talk and live like a child.  But when we become adults, we put away those childish things; as we grow, we come to understand their folly and, as a result, put them aside forever (see 1 Cor. 13:11). As we grow into our youth, more is required as higher standards are placed upon us that we could not bear as little children.  When we grow up further into spiritual adulthood, we are laden with heavier burdens, firmer values and weightier responsibilities which would have crushed us in our youth.   Obviously, much more is expected of the adult than the youth and much more is expected of the youth than the child. With each new step toward spiritual maturity, a new level of “consecration” (dedication) is subsequently required, where the Lord Himself “girds” (arrests and restrains) us and leads us where we do not particularly want to go.  In this way, His will is gradually worked into our lives, bringing us closer and closer to His singular ideal. Therefore, as one moves into further degrees of development, the gulf is widened between what is “permissible” and what is “profitable” according to the Lord’s personal will for our individual lives.  No longer can he or she do what was once permitted for the “bar” has been raised. The apostle Paul understood this principle and disclosed it in First Corinthians 6:12 (Amp),   “Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.” And then, Paul repeats himself in First Corinthians 10:23 (AMP): “All things are legitimate [permissible - and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).  All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” These two passages deal, very specifically, with a code that is inherently active within the deeper principles of divine commitment.  As one draws nearer to the Lord, it becomes increasingly necessary to pursue “only” those things or activities that are especially “profitable” (edifying) to the furthering of an even deeper “allegiance” to the Lord and His purposes. There are “many” who say, within the Christian life, “I’m allowed to do anything; as long as it isn’t a sin, it’s ok.”  But those who know better do not share this perspective for they say, “Sure, we are allowed to do whatever we want, that’s true - as long as it isn’t a sin - but not everything is good for us; not everything is constructive to our spiritual progress.” You see, the way of Life - that leads to Life - is “straight” and “narrow” (Matt. 7:13-14; Lk. 13:24); many know this is true, yet few “live” it. In the beginning, the “believer” is met with only “slight requirements” as they are just beginning to “walk” as “babes.”  However, those who continue on the path will find, as they mature, that the way gets “straighter” and “narrower” with each and every passing step as the standard of Christ closes in, more and more, upon their spiritual, mental, social, financial and physical life. This is what I call the “the process of restriction” where the Lord, Himself, tries our “reins,” tightening them ever so firmly around “our will” through the power of a spiritual hunger that outstrips all natural human desires (see Job 16:13; 19:6-29; Ps. 7:9; 26:2; Jer. 17:10; Lam. 3:13).   Within the church there are many, well meaning, “believers” who are, as Paul put it, “running the race,” but there is “one” who “receives the prize.”  This “one” - this remnant - is running with certainty, with one definite aim: To lay hold of the mark of “the prize” of “the high calling” of Christ (See 1 Cor. 9:24- 27) But this “prize” will never be won without “paying the full price” in the School of Christ where each student is individually tutored by their Trainer with “all temperance” (self-control and discipline) in “all things.” In this School, each student is held personally responsible for each and every choice they make, each and every day.  The level of their training is seemingly bizarre and foolish when compared to the lifestyle of the typical believer; thus, they are required to walk a tighter rope than everyone else, separated unto the Lord alone.  As a result, they are scorned and ridiculed for being “too serious,” even “driven.”  Many say they are too “narrow-minded” or “idealistic;” others say they are “so heavenly minded that they are of no earthly good.” This “one” cannot follow the crowd or swim “with” the stream, along “the path of least resistance,” since the measure of grace upon their lives is of a different caliber.  No matter where they go, they will never fit in - like a square peg in a round hole, they will always stand out.  If everyone compromises, they cannot; they are of an entirely different breed. When someone is called to only live what is “profitable” for their spiritual wholeness, they are, in fact, confined to think, say and do what may, in many cases, “seem” to be contrary to what is right; I say “seem” because many will think that these “confined ones” are wrong and even insane for going to such extremes. (See Jn. 16:7; 18:14 and I Cor. 7:7-35 in the Amplified) While “all things are permissible,” not everything is “profitable.”  Therefore, at every “fork in the road,” these “runners” have a choice to make.  Will they submit themselves to a life of misunderstanding, discomfort, and pain, filled with blood, sweat and tears or will they give in to the popular pull of mediocrity? Will they be distracted by even the seemingly insignificant “little foxes” or will they keep the “set” of their spirit focused on the rigorous course of Christ? You see, “no soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the One who enlisted him” (2 Tim. 2:4, Amp).  There can be no compromise when it comes to the life of a first-class soldier; “every thought” must be brought “into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5, NKJV); “every aspect” of life - from the inside out - must be measured and ordered by “the One Who enlists.” Every ounce of “baggage” - even the “carry-ons” - must be “checked” (indefinitely) in order to achieve “maximum” performance in “this” race. The writer of Hebrews understood this principle very well: “…Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1, Amp) According to this passage, there are two things that hinder the “spiritual runner”: “unnecessary weight” and “sin.”   Obviously, “sin” is a stumbling block to the “spiritual runner” and can be easily discerned on the surface of things. But the “unnecessary weight” is something altogether different.  One “weight,” by itself, can go virtually unseen since it is comprised of that which is neither right nor wrong - good or bad - and yet “entangles,” such as personal dreams, cares, desires, relationships, responsibilities, etc.  These things may be a “good idea” and may even seem “innocent” to the average “believer,” but they interfere with the “runners” performance before Heaven. Those who are “driven” by passion to “receive the prize” - which is reserved for “the winner” alone - are well able to discern between those things that are “necessary” and “unnecessary” for victory.  And they are not afraid of rejecting every thought or act of compromise that has “any” possibility of hindering them in their quest. The life of the “runner” is plain and simple, free of everything except that which is for the singular good of the “Prize.”  For him or her, all things are “permissible,” but not all things are “profitable.”  What was once acceptable is no longer acceptable in the light of a much higher standard of commitment. As John Wright Follette once wrote, “He that is spiritual suffers the loss of all things that he may know Christ in the deeper and fuller relations.” (See Rev 3:4) Concerning the “little matters” (“little foxes”), many say, “But it’s not a heavy weight. It’s only an ounce. Does it really matter?” The answer is - yes!  It is still a “weight” that must be dropped. When one runs, there can be nothing that causes “wind resistance.” And every ounce of “unnecessary fat” must be shed for the good of the “Trophy.” Therefore, “strip off and throw aside every…unnecessary weight.” The “price tag” attached to “the high calling” is not for everyone since the substance of “this call” cannot be known or experienced apart from “this stripping process.” This is why “few” are chosen out from the “many” who are called. When the Lord “strips” an individual through this “progressive consecration,” requiring them to only live according to that which is to the “advantage” of their spiritual development, He does it in order to groom them for an experiential union and partnership with Him in His end-time purposes (see 2 Tim. 1: 9, Amp).   Presently, the Lord is “sealing” His bondservants through a focused, “secret” preparation for the time when they will responsibly steward His will and intention in the earth as He calls upon them for divine service. When the time is right, these “living sacrifices” will emerge as trustworthy representatives of the King and His Kingdom for the glory of His name.  As regal ambassadors, they will wield the powers of the ages to come with boldness, wisdom and love.