Read: I Kings 18:21-39
I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answers by fire, let him be God (I Kings 18:24).
Sanctification Versus Consecration
Commissioner Samuel Logan Brengle of the Salvation Army cites Elijah’s clash with the prophets of Baal as an Old Testament illustration of the distinction between consecration and sanctification. He writes:
“Elijah piled his altar on Mount Carmel, slew his bullock and placed him on the altar, and then poured water over the whole. That was consecration.
“But Baal’s priests had done that, with the exception of putting on the water. They had built their altar, they had slain their bullocks, they had spent the day in the most earnest religious devotions, and, so far as men could see, their zeal far exceeded that of Elijah.
“What did Elijah more than they?
“Nothing, except to put a few barrels of water on his sacrifice — a big venture of faith. If he had stopped there, the world would never have heard of him. But he believed for God to do something. He expected it, he prayed for it, and God split the heavens and poured down fire to consume his sacrifice, and the stones of his altar, and the very water that lay in the trenches. That was sanctification!
“God wants sanctified men. Of course, men must be consecrated — that is, given up to God — in order to be sanctified. But when once they have yielded themselves to Him… then they must wait on God and cry to Him with a humble, yet bold, persistent faith till He baptizes them with the Holy Ghost and fire. He promised to do it and He will do it, but men must expect it, look for it, pray for it, and if it tarry, wait for it” (Helps to Holiness).
Come, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, And seal me Thine abode! Let all I am in Thee be lost; Let all be lost in God.
— Wesley’ s Hymns