Consecrated to the Lord

Back in Bible times, people would sometimes consecrate their lives to God, usually for a short period of time.

Some, however, did so throughout their lives. And in doing so, they took the vow of the Nazirite.

A Nazirite basically made three vows in his service to God.

First, he wouldn’t drink wine or have any kind of food or drink coming from grapes.

Second, he would let his hair grow and not cut it until his vow was completed.

And finally, he would not go near a dead body.

There were several famous Nazirites mentioned in the Bible, including Samson and John the Baptist. And each had a special task from God.

Samson was chosen to deliver the people of Israel from the Philistines.

John, of course, was called to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.

But what can we get out of this passage?

Well, basically, people who were Nazirites made a conscious decision to separate themselves for God.

As Christians, we are called to do the same.

Paul wrote,

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

In other words, we are to offer our bodies to God as something set apart for his use (holy) and as something pleasing to him. This, Paul writes, is what worship is all about.

Worship is not just about singing songs to God. It’s a life that’s set apart for God.

Does this mean we need to let our hair grow long, never drink wine, or go near dead bodies?

No. But I think there are some things that we can draw from these things.

First, as people set apart for God, we need to let his Holy Spirit fill us and be the one who controls our life.

As Paul wrote,

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18)

Like I said, this doesn’t mean you can never drink. But wine should never be allowed to control your life.

Nor should anything else, for that matter, whether it be the internet, pornography, work, hobbies, or whatever else it might be.

What controls your life?

Is it God? Or is it something else?

What dominates your time? What dominates your thoughts?

Is it God? Or is it something else?

Second, we need to be vocal about our decision to be set apart for Christ.

In those days, the Nazirite’s growth of hair was a clear declaration to the people around them of who they were setting themselves apart for. People could look at them and know immediately that they were people set apart for God.

In the same way, the people around us should know that we are Christians and that we’re living for him.

Some people say, “Well, I’m a silent witness. I live a good life and people see that, and they probably know I’m a Christian. So I don’t feel the need to say anything.”

But the problem with that is that there are many “good” people who aren’t Christians. And if we don’t say anything, people won’t think, “He’s a good Christian.”

They’ll just think, “He’s a good person,” and leave it at that.

Yes, our actions are important. They validate what we say. But by themselves, our actions are not enough.

Third, we are to stay away from dead things.

I don’t mean to stay away from dead bodies as the Nazirites did. But I mean to keep away from the sins that lead to death and make us unclean.

As Paul again wrote elsewhere,

Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.

Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. (2 Corinthians 6:17)

As I said before, Nazirites generally dedicated themselves to God for a short time. But we are called to give ourselves to God for our lifetime.

Why? Because Jesus gave himself up for us. He gave up everything to come to earth and die on a cross so that our sins could be forgiven.

And so we give ourselves to him, “in view of God’s mercy,” the mercy that he has poured out in our lives.