Join Matt and Mark on the Front Porch as they discuss "Relational Holiness."

Matt had a conversation with Dutch Sheets about consecration that sparked this episode on the podcast. Discover that the journey into the devout and holy life is one of “relational holiness” as we seek not to just “separate from things” but rather separate unto the Lord. Your “Yes vow” to Jesus will be more powerful than a 1,000 “No vows” to sin and darkness.

Matt and Dutch’s conversation:

“Me: Sir, I feel like one of the biggest areas of compromise in my life has been my speech. The tongue has proven to be an unruly member.

Papa Dutch: Really?

Me: Yes Sir. I suppose I need to be more disciplined. Perhaps I should do a word-fast and just be quiet for a week until I'm more aware of my words.

Papa Dutch: Yeah, you could do that. Or, you could linger in His Presence until one the Seraphim fly to you with one of the burning coals from the altar and apply it to your lips. And be done with it.

Me: Yes Sir. I'll take the second option.”

Dutch Sheets has a tremendous teaching on consecration that he shared here at Hope Chapel in South Carolina. This teaching was revolutionary for many in our company. Here is in an excerpt from a blog that Dutch wrote entitled, “Invitation to Consecration” that highlights what he shared here:

"We hear of the concept of "consecration" periodically, but we often have a vague understanding of what it really means. The word consecrate, in Hebrew, is actually a relational term. Qadash means to separate or set yourself apart unto God. God’s heart isn’t, “Clean up your act so I can restore and bless you.” He says instead, “Come to me so I can bless you.” BIG DIFFERENCE! His love is free, not earned.

It may even surprise you that qadash (set apart to Him), is actually the root word for holy (qodesh). Not to confuse you with a bunch of strange words, but isn’t it great to know that being “holy” isn’t the result of or defined as “being good enough?” Rather it is the nature (qodesh) we receive from our union with Him (qadash), which motivates us to good works and a refusal to sin. We must be careful, then, that when we set out to prepare ourselves for a move of God’s Spirit, we do not move into a legalistic works mentality, trying to accomplish separation and holiness in our own abilities; rather, we draw near to God in relationship.

There is another word in scripture that also means separation, which we often confuse with consecration and holiness. Nazir, from which we get the word Nazarite, means to be separate from. Nazir implies that we are separating ourselves away from something, as in sin, or the Nazarite vow of separation from certain activities. Qadash implies that we are separating ourselves unto, or drawing near to God. And this is where we must always start in our walk with Him." - Dutch Sheets

(blog excerpt "Invitation to Consecration")

https://dutchsheets.org/index.php/2015/10/21/an-invitation-to-consecration/

Mike Bickle also highlights 3 principles to cooperating with the grace of God in pursuit of consecration with a similar approach using Romans 6:11-13: (1) Know (2) Resist (3) Pursue.

“11 Likewise you also, reckon (Know) yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body (Resist), that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead (Pursue), and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (Romans 6:11-13)

1) Know who you are in Christ.

2) Resist darkness.

3) Pursue loving God and people.

As we seek to be those who “separate unto the Lord,” we can be confident in our pursuit that we’ve found the more excellent way as we receive from Holy Presence and are transformed into the same image.

“16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the ve(continued)