The Cross, Then Consecration
The Cross opens the door—not just to forgiveness, but to a radiant life wholly consecrated to God, because Christ lives within.
Today’s devotional speaks to the divine sequence of our transformation: crucifixion comes before consecration. The Cross is not just the place where Christ died for us—it is also the place where our old self was put to death in Him. We are not called to consecrate the flesh, nor to bring our uncrucified selves before God for use in service. Instead, it is the new creation—alive from the dead, joined with Christ in resurrection life—that is called to present itself to God.
Miles Stanford and the quoted contributors remind us that consecration is not something we must work up emotionally or strive to manufacture. When we truly know Him, when we are captured by His love, consecration flows from the heart. It's not a duty; it’s a joy. Love leads us to yield, not obligation. And this yielding is not to gain His favor—it’s a natural overflow of having already died with Him and now living by His indwelling life. The Cross is the starting point. Only from there do we move into real surrender—not of self-effort, but of resurrection life offered back to the One who gave it.
Journal Entry — In the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
You were crucified with Christ, and it is no longer you who live, but Christ lives in you. This life you now live in the body, you live by faith in Me, the Son of God, who loved you and gave Myself for you. I have already brought you through death and into life, not in theory, but in truth. The old man was crucified, and now you are alive from the dead, made new and complete in Me.
So present yourself—not to strive, not to try, but to trust. I do not call for sacrifice from the old you, for that one is gone. I call for the yielded body, the mind resting in My peace, the will released into My joy. This is the consecration that pleases the Father: My life lived through yours, your heart resting in Mine, your hands available for what I have already prepared.
You no longer need to beg for passion or stir up commitment. Abide in My love and you will find your heart moved. The more you see Me, the more you know Me, the more you will want to give Me everything. It will not be a struggle—it will be joy. For where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
So today, do not consecrate what has already died. Consecrate what has been raised—your new self in union with Me. Walk in that awareness. Rest in the truth. And I will live through you.
Scriptures Woven In: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1, Colossians 2:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 3:10, 2 Corinthians 3:17
Prayer
Father, I thank You that the Cross is not only where Christ died for me but where I died with Him. I trust that You have already made me new and seated me with Christ. I rejoice that consecration is not a matter of striving but of yielding to what already is—Your Spirit alive in me. Thank You that I no longer have to present the old me, trying to do better. I rest in the truth that I have been raised to walk in newness of life. And in that life, I gladly present myself to You—not to earn favor, but because I already have it in Christ. All that I am in You is already Yours.
Devotional Credit: Reflections on Abide Above
Photo Credit: Image sourced from Unsplash.com