Oluwasegun Samuel Ayoade

This teaching is anchored from the sermon on the mount taught by the LORD Jesus Christ. Deep truth about moving forward from babyhood to spiritual maturity is shared in this teaching. May the LORD open your eyes of understanding in Jesus Name.

I believe that God’s calling or the calling is in two dimension.

1. General

2. Specific

I will explain myself for more clarity.

The general aspect of it is dealing with what God has called us from and what He is calling us into. He is calling everybody to come out of darkness into His marvellous light. This aspect of God’s calling is fundamental and it is the prerequisite for yielding to the second dimension of His calling. We have been called into union with Christ which resulted into righteousness and holy living. That is the believer's calling. 1 Peter 2:9

The second dimension of God's calling is the specific assignment to be accomplished in order to advance the Kingdom of God on the earth. The bible talked about the gifts and calling of God in Romans 11 but its actual context is that God has not completely forsaken and erased the Jews from His plans and purposes. The gifts of God is for service, edification of the church, as well as for the expansion of God's kingdom in diverse spheres of influence with righteous living as a primary purpose. It is actually for the expansion of His kingdom on the earth. The gift of God accompanies the calling of God because the called ones have been entrusted with the expanding God's kingdom on the earth. The gift of God is like the talent which we must put to use to bring profit to the kingdom of God.

In summary, using an illustration of Apostle Paul's life. He was first called out of darkness when he saw a great light that knocked him down from his horse on the road to Damascus, Act 9. The second dimension of his calling is when he understood that he was separated from his mother's womb to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. We must be mindful of the fact that Paul had the understanding of his specific calling almost immediately from the point of Salvation. This is carrying out the goodworks prepared before hands to walk in it. Ephesians 2:10.

Consecration is setting oneself apart unto the LORD and this is the prerequisite qualification for discipleship.

What is discipleship?

A disciple is not merely a church attendee. The Greek word mathetes means learner, apprentice, follower. Jesus defined discipleship in relational and practical terms:

Following Him — “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19)

Abiding in His word — “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31)

Loving Him above all — (Luke 14:26)

Bearing the cross — (Luke 14:27)

Bearing fruit — (John 15:8)

Discipleship is therefore a lifelong process of being formed into the image of Christ.

What is consecration?

Consecration means to be set apart unto God. In Scripture, persons, vessels, priests, and even days were consecrated for divine use. For the believer, consecration is not first withdrawal from the world; it is dedication of the whole person to God.

Paul expresses it clearly:

“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Romans 12:1).

Consecration involves surrender of:

Will

Affections

Ambitions

Body

Time

Possessions

Relationships

It is saying, “Lord, I am no longer my own.”

Consecration is the doorway into true discipleship

Jesus never invited people merely to listen; He invited them to leave and follow.

When Peter, Andrew, James, and John followed Jesus, they left nets, boats, and familiar securities (Matthew 4:20-22). Their outward leaving reflected an inward consecration.

After the death of the old man which was accomplished by the death and the resurrection of Christ, every believer has the flesh to deal with. The death of the LORD Jesus Christ must be carried in believer's body on a daily basis.

Believers must mortify the flesh on a daily basis by walking in the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the son's of God. Believers must deny self or the flesh, take up the cross, and follow Christ Jesus daily. Without taking action in this direction, the struggle continues.

The old man is the adamic nature inherited from Adam through his disobedience to the ordinances of God. This fallen nature has been the principal director of those who remains unregenerated. However, the death of the old human nature was accomplished in Christ as believers were crucified with Him.

The injunctions of the scripture concerning sexual purity are clear so let us consider few scriptures.

In Exodus 20:14, there was a direct commandment by God, "You shall not commit adultery." That is a foundational commandment on sexual purity.

Going back to Genesis 2:24, "The two shall become one flesh." This means that sexual union is inherently convenantal.

There are other teachings of the scripture in Leviticus concerning sexual purity:

1. Incest Lev. 18:6

2. Adultery Lev. 20:10

3. Homosexuality Lev 18:22

4. Bestiality Lev. 18:23

Exodus 22:16-17 warns about premarital sex, that is, no sex before marriage. The bible teaches that he shall endow her to be his wife.

The new testament is not silent about sexual purity as well, and the Greek word that was used is "Porneia" which means sexual immortality.

Let us consider few scriptures in the new testament:

1. The Lord Jesus Christ taught on sexual purity and the way He taught it was more serious, Matthew 5:27-28. Looking at a woman lustfully is equal to committing sexual immortality with her already.

2. Matthew 15:19 and Mark 7:21-23, out of the heart proceed adulteries and fornications . . .they cause defilement.

Paul the Apostle's teaching addressed the matter of sexual purity:

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, we must abstain from fornication and our vessel must be possessed in sanctification and Honour.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:15-20, flee fornication because our body is the temple of the Holyspirit.

3. 1 Corinthians 7:2, sex is a marriage affair which means that it must be practiced in the confine of marital relationship. "Becasue of sexual immortality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. "