that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it" (Eph. v. 26, R. V.).
"Sanctification" is not identical with "cleansing," but it is its
complement. "We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of
Jesus Christ once for all" (Heb. x. 10). "Wherefore Jesus also, that He
might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the
gate" (Heb. xiii. 12). From these passages we gather that it is by the
Blood of Jesus we are sanctified, set apart to God. This is another
function of the precious Blood, in addition to the one we have already
been considering, viz., cleansing from the guilt of sin.

_2. Surrender._

"In conversion," says Dr. Chalmers, "God gives to me, but in consecration
I give to God." Every one knows that conversion should have experimental
acquaintance with consecration.

"In full and glad surrender,
I give myself to thee."

Consecration, then, involves surrender--total, absolute, unconditional,
irreversible. This is Paul's teaching in Romans: "I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present _your bodies_ a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"
(Rom. xii. 1). These people had already given their souls to God, and now
the apostle insists on their giving their "bodies" too. "Yield (R. V.,
Present) yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead" (Rom.
vi. 13). Life first, then sacrifice. Have we life in Christ? Then it is
imperative that we "yield," "present" ourselves unto God. It is not a
matter of individual choice or taste or convenience; but every one that
has been quickened from the death in trespasses and sins is commanded,
_yes, commanded_, to "present himself to God." Have _you_ obeyed this
command? If not, why not? God excuses no one. Had it not better be
attended to now? Yes, before you read another line!

It follows as a corollary that if we yield ourselves, we yield everything
else to God; nothing is withheld. What loss we suffer because we will hold
back some little thing! A little child was one day playing with a very
valuable vase, when he put his hand into it and could not withdraw it. His
father, too, tried his best to get it out, but all in vain. They were
talking of breaking the vase, when the father said, "Now, my son, make one
more try; open your hand and hold your fingers out straight, as you see me
doing, and then pull." To their astonishment the little fellow said, "Oh
no, pa; I c