SOLD OUT!
When we hear the words, “SOLD OUT”, we are either disappointed in the store for not stocking enough products or we are disappointed in someone else for selling out their values for money, a job, or some other materialistic gain. Being sold out in the world is not usually a good thing and usually leads to disappointment in others, ourselves, or in the situation.
However, being sold out in your kingdom experience is completely different. Should we really be surprised a phrase has opposite meanings in the world and in the kingdom?
In the past two articles, found here and here , I spoke about a transformation happening when we are totally given over to God, seeking Him, and putting our complete trust in Him. In this regard, we are totally sold out for God, selling ourselves out of the worldly ways of thinking and giving ourselves over to a kingdom way of thinking.
You might ask, “Ok Glenn, but how do we do that? What does that look like?”
I’m glad you asked. For me, one of the first steps to being sold out to God is to recognize Him. When Moses asks God how he should describe Him, God replies in Exodus 3:14:
“I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Many theologians think God oversimplified Himself in this explanation, but it begins our first step to understanding Him. He says He is “I AM”. This means we can say, “HE IS”.
HE IS what?
HE IS the Creator of all that is – this world and everything in it, and every thing outside of it, that is, the entire universe!
HE IS our Creator!
HE IS our salvation!
HE IS our provider!
HE IS our strength!
HE IS in our hearts!
HE IS the lover of our souls!
HE IS our redeemer!
HE IS holy and magnificent!
HE IS awesome!
HE IS totally amazing!
HE IS in the midst of our struggles!
HE IS in our trials!
HE IS in our pain!
HE IS in our relationships!
HE IS with us throughout our day and nights!
Did you just skim through each of those lines beginning with the words, “HE IS”? Did you just skip through the lines, reading the last few words because by the third line you figured out the first two words were all the same? Yeah, I did that when I reread what I wrote above, and it lost the original meaning when I did it.
I think when we say “HE IS” there is some sort of power in the emphasis. I actually do this from time to time to remind myself HE IS in the moment, especially if I am having a difficult or trying time… you know, when I’m ready to really choke someone? Or, when I am left steeping in hurt from some careless words? I need the reminder most when I am in the midst of these extreme emotions; I need to be reminded, HE IS. HE IS with me. HE IS always with me. He will not abandon me or leave me alone in the middle, in the beginning, or at the end.
HE IS.
These two words are important in our relationship with God. I truly believe these are a crucial first step to being completely sold out to Him. What does it mean to be sold out to Him? Think about what Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11:
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
The only way we can learn to be content in whatever the circumstances is to remind ourselves and accept that HE IS in the circumstance. To say this is all there is to it may be oversimplifying being sold out to God, but it is definitely one of the first steps.
Are you sold out yet? Reread the lines above beginning with the words, “HE IS”. Add your own lines for what you know to be true about God, such as “HE IS my hope” or “HE IS my strength”, and pray for a greater understanding for these words.
A greater understanding? Yes… ask God to give you a greater understanding to these words so you just don’t know them in your head, but you know them in your heart. This has been part of my prayer for the last six months, and I truly believe God is answering my request for understanding.
Don’t sell out your faith for worldly compromise, instead sell out your worldly compromise for your faith.
Ask Him. Contact me if you need some help with this prayer.
Glenn Sasscer
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August 18th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I am a new employee, I think I need it.