Sold Out?

Philippians 3:7-8 - But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...

I was mowing the lawn yesterday when the words "sold out?" hit me like pieces of mulch being kicked up by the mower! Good thing I had my sunglasses on or they might have got me in the eyes.

What does it mean to be sold out for Jesus? Read the scriptures above again. I'll be the first to admit that in my own mind I think I'm sold out. But I probably am not fully there. Oh, I may be able to write like I am, but what about verbally? I can preach to the choir, but what about when I'm in a crowd where the name of Jesus does not enter into conversation? Am I able to interject something that at least hints at what's on my mind? Do my unbelieving friends really know who I am? Do they know what consumes my thoughts...but doesn't exit out of my mouth? For shame. I'm thankful, however, the God is never finished with us.

Again, I bring up Peter (oh, the array of thoughts that have been so interconnected lately that I've not been able to put together...until now). Here's a man who on one hand is sold out for his Jesus, yet he later denies him, three times before the rooster crows. After he denied his Savior that third time, scripture says, And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So Peter went out and wept bitterly. (Luke 22:61-62) This makes me weep! I'm imagining the look Jesus gave Peter was not one of disappointment or anger, but one of unconditional love...one that would bring a person to tears. I'm so thankful that Jesus never gives up on us, like He did not give up on Peter. Peter is a great example of one sold out, yet flawed for a time.

Jesus lived His life knowing He would be sold out (literally with 30 pieces of silver); how can we not be sold out for Him?

I've been told people know I'm different and perhaps that's why I don't fit too well in many social situations. For me, unfortunately, I find there are times I have little in common with others and find it difficult to enter into conversations. Sometimes it seems as if the others are talking another language altogether. They might feel the same way if I brought Jesus up. 

I guess there comes a time when I have to let go. Glenn Beck talks about pivotal points in a person's life. Could it be I am heading in that direction? Will the things I've been doing eventually be replaced with things God would have me do? How will this affect my life and my home life? That scares the daylights out of me, to be honest with you. Is that what it means to be sold out for Jesus? Perhaps not. Or maybe God is just getting me prepared first in my heart to get to that place of letting go. There are things in my life I have, I enjoy, I enjoy doing and having. If these things were taken away or I chose to let them go, how would I feel? This is all part of how I'm thinking God is preparing me.

Maybe the preparation is because something will force these things to be "recalled" from my life. Could be health or finances that might bring this about (which could easily be as a result of a faulty government). It might just plain be a call from God in my life to move on. Any one of these situations will be hard...and yet not. I believe if the Lord asked me point blank to quit something, I could do it. The first reaction is to become unsettled. But then you come to the realization that anything the Lord takes away He fills with something so much more extraordinary. 

I keep recalling a dream I had twenty years ago or so. I had the dream twice. It took me to a small clearing in the woods with a stream running by. It was quiet and peaceful. There was a very small cabin. The second dream allowed me to see inside the cabin, where it was one room with a bath. The thing I noticed the most about the cabin was the wall that was one huge bookcase, floor to ceiling, full of books. I seemed very content to be in that little place with very few conveniences...or should I say distractions.

Sold out. Letting go of all the things this world has to offer and rejoicing and relishing in the things of God only. Practicing the presence of God (Brother Lawrence's claim to fame). This is all He requires of us...that we be in right, close, personal relationship with Him. Forget the world. A relationship with Jesus should be the first and foremost thing. All other things will fall into place very nicely.

I'm not saying He wants us to remove ourselves from the world. His Word tells us we are to be in the world but not of it. I guess part of me is a little weak in that area because I want to fit in...and yet I often don't. Is that my fault or is it the Lord's doing? A good question to mull over and ask Him. 

I keep thinking there is a day coming when "the other shoe will drop" somehow in my life. It will either be God's shoe--or sandal--or something in the world that will cause all the turmoil that I'm experiencing in my spirit to be explained...and then gone through. The answer to my inner upheaval will be clear as day. I can only hope that I will rejoice at this.

Sold out. That's about keeping our focus on Jesus. We have many, many examples in the Bible of people who were sold out. In Hebrews 11, known as the faith chapter, there is a list of the most noted people in the Bible whose faith in God was beyond compare. I want so badly to be counted among those of this day whose faith and focus on Jesus has be completely sold out. I want to be able to say with confidence that the things of this world are nothing in comparison to my knowledge of Jesus Christ. So, perhaps that's the other shoe that's ready to drop. Perhaps I will realize without a shadow of a doubt that nothing in this world means anything apart from Jesus Christ and His gift to me of salvation. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 - Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Peter's Transformation

2Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Peter was one of the most difficult, hard headed, stubborn, impetuous, outspoken men. But God...had a marvelous plan for him. I marvel at that because it shows how He can transform anyone. When God got hold of him and tweaked him he was changed. Where once he questioned Jesus, as a man who thought he knew it all, now he spoke exuberantly yet humbly  about His Master and Savior.

I think of the times Peter spoke too soon, out of place or without thinking and stuck his big, old foot in his mouth. Jesus even rebuked him a couple of noted times (Matthew 16, Mark 8). His faith was shaky and Jesus even called him satan one time, meaning that Peter had allowed satan's power to enter in.  He spoke out of misunderstanding when he did not think it right for Jesus to wash his feet. He even, in the worst imaginable act, denied Jesus prior to His crucifixion...after denying he ever would. How weak we all are. 

But Jesus knew something so wonderful about Peter and knew what he would be capable of long after His life on earth came to an end. I'm so glad He does that with us too. He knows what we are capable of doing and if we just take the time to listen so that we might hear His instructions it will be accomplished.

Peter was chosen by Jesus. He walked and talked with Him. He walked on water, he healed a lame man and a beggar, and no doubt countless more. He was with Him at His transfiguration. Despite his Simon personality he would become Peter, a rock of firmness, in time. God eventually used Peter's negative, natural, strong convictions for His glory...after Peter had humbled himself.

Simon means "to be heard." Names were important in those days. Usually children were named after an event or memory of a particular child's birth. No doubt God had a part in naming Simon. He already knew what plans He had for him. Simon would be heard someday when he boldly preached the Gospel.

But first he would encounter a man named Jesus and would be groomed to become what Jesus changed his name to mean, "rock." There was a reason for this name change. He was to be Jesus' main man, as it were. He didn't know it and maybe if he would have he might have gotten a big head about it. Peter had to be chastised again and again, much to his dismay. He had to learn to subdue himself and not be so brash and outspoken so Jesus could do a work in him. That's what he does with us. 

Jesus knew what Peter's future held in store. He would do as Jesus prompted him: Feed my sheep. Later he would be heard as he preached with a totally different character what he had learned sitting at the feet of Jesus. He just had to learn the hard way how to submit, to realize it was not just about him.

Peter hesitated in his faith at first but later when Jesus was gone he stepped up to both his names, actually. Not only was he now strong and stable, like a rock, in his faith, but he now was now being heard as he preached with gusto his belief in Jesus Christ. After he had gotten several doses of humbling, gotten through the humility of his denial of Christ, been tested, he was ready to move ahead. He'd been trained by the Master. 

Peter was willing to sacrifice his life for the sake of the Gospel. He'd been rejected, persecuted and imprisoned, like Jesus. He also was crucified; however, he asked to be hung upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. How he had changed. When we have changed so drastically, like Peter did, people notice. And God can have His way.

You can see the change in the words he wrote in his books. I'm sure Peter looked back and recalled his own words and foibles. And he also remembered the look of love on Jesus' face in the midst of his mistakes. He was, after all, now Peter, the rock, once called Simon. Transformation... He was still that outspoken man but now he preached with great abandon about salvation in Jesus alone, love, peace, encouragement...and submission...all with joy, despite his suffering. He got it at last! He had arrived!

I hope a day comes when I have changed that much. We all have some natural "quirks" that God has given us. In the natural they may not be the best thing to have, but through God they may be the most magnificent characteristics.

Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.