Years ago, my little daughter looked at me and said, “Daddy, please put on your top. That girl is looking at you.” One of her classmates was visiting. To her, a 4-year-old, my open chest was “not right” before a guest. In that moment, a child taught me about consecration.
Friend, put on your top. Holiness has a look. Consecration is a kingdom truth we cannot ignore. It works two ways: What Christ did for us; He has made us holy and perfected us forever (Hebrews 10:14). What we do with what Christ did for us; we live it out practically every day (Hebrews 10:7).
My daughter was not too young to know that there’s an inappropriate way to present yourself before the opposite sex. Although she had not read it in the Bible. But she had been raised in an environment where right and wrong were clear. She already knew how to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). At her level, she understood consecration.
Consecration doesn’t start with clothes. But it always shows up in clothes. It doesn’t start with speech. But it will correct your speech. What’s inside will always find its way outside. Purity of heart produces purity of hands (Psalm 24:3-6). The inward work of salvation must become an outward life of holiness (Philippians 2:12-13).
God wants us to be separate from the world but not separated or isolated from it (2 Corinthians 6:17). He wants us to maintain contact without contamination. To be different, but not distant (Daniel 1:8). He wants us to be lights in darkness, not lost in it (Matthew 5:16).
Christ has clothed you with holiness. Now wear it (Ephesians 4:24). There’s a way Christians talk (Colossians 4:6). There’s a way Christians dress (1 Peter 3:3-4). There’s a way Christians carry themselves in the world (Philippians 2:15). Consecration begins in the heart. But it must be seen in your life. Put on your top. Holiness has a look.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria