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CONSECRATION TO GOD

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, May 12, 1885

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 19

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CONSECRATION TO GOD.

By W. A. Blakely

BY W. A. BLAKELY.
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Ps. 51 : 10. How earnest should every one be to have a clean heart and a right spirit. How important it is to get in that position, that our daily lives will show that we are true Christians and are consecrating ourselves to the service of God. In order to do this we must exercise faith, and strive earnestly to overcome the temptations around us. Christ says: “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Mark 8 : 34. We must first overcome self; let the love of this world, its attractions, and all selfishness sink out of sight; give up our earthly possessions—for what good will they be to our eternal welfare? If we are consecrated to God, our means will be consecrated to him, and we will give our time, talent, and money to his work, thus laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal; for where our treasures are, there will our hearts be also. Matt. 6 : 20, 21. It is impossible to become consecrated to God while we have our treasure invested in the things of this world.
After we have denied self, and taken up the cross, then we are in a position that God can bless us. But this should be done now. The end is fast approaching, and there is a great work to do. Oh! that each one would only realize the importance of improving every opportunity to draw near to the Lord, to “deny himself, take up his cross,” and follow him.
The importance of immediate consecration, is strikingly set forth in chapter 34 of “Great Controversy,” Vol. IV., and in “Early Writings,” page 131, which it is hoped all our people will read and re-read. To be able to “endure unto the end,” we must form a good character, and add grace to grace (2 Pet. 1 : 5-11) until we become sanctified through the truth. John 17 : 17. One of the means by which we are able to overcome is prayer. Satan is stronger than we; and therefore if we do not have God’s help, we will try in vain. But that secret, earnest, and frequent pleading with God will avail in our behalf, and success will crown our efforts. Paul says: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”