Then Peter answered Him, saying, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” (Matthew 19:27, AMP)
What are you really passionate about? What is your priority in life? Are you sold out?
Our hobby can become our passion. I know I am talking to golfers here, and I think you know what I mean. Even our career can become our priority. Even good causes like family can become so overwhelmingly important that we forget our ultimate love—Jesus and His commission.
I know we can be sold on our faith in God because we believe that what Jesus said is true, but are we sold out to live what He said?
Peter was sold on Jesus and left everything to follow Him. Even a career in ministry can be a trap. Like Peter, we say, “Lord, we have left everything to follow you.” Peter wrongly thought that if he left it all, Jesus would be obligated to bless him.
He might have been looking for blessings and what he could get from them instead of looking to Jesus for his all. Peter became sold out after the resurrection and his encounters with Jesus on the beach (John 21). Once we see the risen Savior, our response may be, “Bring it on. I will trust Jesus even if …”
The New Testament scholar William Barclay said, “A man will never become outstandingly good at anything unless that thing is his ruling passion. There must be something of which he can say, ‘For me to live is this.'”
Aristotle said, “Excellence is “expressing your highest talent to its fullest measure.” We all have some talent on loan from God that He gave us for a purpose. It must make Him smile when He sees His boys and girls sold out and use what they have been given for the glory of almighty God. He may even say, “Yes, here is much more.”
As Tim Philpot would say, “I love dead authors who were so deeply in love with Jesus. They have so much to tell us today.” A case in point is Oswald Chambers. This is from My Utmost for His Highest: “There is only one relationship that matters, and that is your personal relationship to a personal Redeemer and Lord. Let everything else go, but maintain that at all costs, and God will fulfill His purpose through your life. One life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes, and yours may be that life.”
Sold out means, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:33, NASB).
I think of a young school teacher with a growing family and limited budget, but she and her husband are involved in their church and community. They give and care and raise a beautiful family for the glory of God.
Her real priority is not family, teaching, or ministry opportunities. Her priority and passion are knowing and loving Jesus. As she does this well, all these other things will be added to her. She can get it all, now and later. Focus on the King, and He will provide what is needed in His time and in His way.
Sold out simply means trusting God. There is no greater calling, career, or commitment than trusting and following Jesus wherever He may lead. I know He will get us home. All other ways are precarious and sinking sand. Choose solid ground. Make it a goal and a passionate priority, which will lead to all this being added to you as well. Thank you, Jesus.
Prayer – Father, teach us how to be “sold out!”