Helps To Understanding Consecration Part 4

“Die” or “dying to self” is a favorite expression with other teachers of holiness; die out to God, die to all but Jesus. The expression is full of vital meaning. Mrs. Cleaveland, in her delightful poem on the river of death, pictures the clergymen of various denominations as losing all their distinguishing marks as they cross the river, and over on the other shore not one can be told from another so far as sectarian peculiarities are concerned. This is true of entire consecration, or crossing the Jordan River into the promised land of Canaan (a symbol of the experience of entire sanctification); for in Canaan there is a delightful absence of sectarian conflict because everyone is busy doing the will of God.

Dying is used to express consecration because some felt that the consecration was so acute that it seemed they had to suffer the pains of death. Others have not so felt. Whatever the feeling, there must be the dying. Another similar term is “death-route.” By the term “death-route” we mean, taking our stand against carnality and turning over every revealed carnal trait to the Holy Ghost, for its slaying. Carnal traits, however, are not crucified one at a time. They are surrendered (died out to) one at a time, under the searching light of the Holy Spirit, when one is seeking a sanctified heart. Then, when the Holy Spirit strikes the death blow to one’s corrupt nature, all of the carnal traits are destroyed in one master stroke of divine power. Thus, the heart is purified and made perfect in the holy love of God which is shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5). Only dead people fully live; dead to self and alive unto God!

The “death-route” has been described as the divine pathway through which God leads the seeking soul.”
       “Break off the yoke of inbred sin,
           And fully set my spirit free:
         I cannot rest till pure within,
           Till I am wholly lost in Thee.”

So what is your status with God? Are you dead, yet? Or, is self still in control? You will not walk in the fullness of God until you have died to self.