Sold Out of What? Fudge?

I'm sure you've heard people talk about being "Sold out for the Lord, "or similar things like that.

What does it mean to be sold out? It makes me think of God, our self proclaimed "Redeemer." The One who bought us.

To be owned by God is to have every aspect of one's life surrendered, to be sold to Him is to willingly allow Him control of one's entire being.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. (I Corinthians 7:23)

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Romans 6:16)

It's pretty crazy to think about, so I understand where the almost Christian catch-phrase: "Sold out" came from.

But like most catch phrases, they lose their meaning over time. People hear them and think, "I know what that means," and those same people use them in correct context without really thinking about what they mean.

I'll raise my hand when you ask, "What people?" I'm not just blaming everyone else.

I may have expressed some frustration about this this morning to my sister, who promptly asked, "Sold out of what? Fudge?"

(our family owns a chocolate company, that's where that joke came from.

http://sweetsomethingschocolate.com/ in case you want to check it out. ;) )

We both laughed about it, but then I got thinking. That's actually a good question.

For everyone who uses the term, "Sold out," allow me to ask.

Sold out of what?

The idea behind the phrase, as I mentioned earlier, is that we sell ourselves. But let's talk about this. What else have we sold?

What have we lost because we traded it for something else?

I want to be sold out of anxiety. I don't want to worry anymore.

I want to be sold out of shame. I don't want to see myself anymore the way I do sometimes, I want to trade that for contentment in my identity in Christ.

I want to be sold out of sin. How good it would be to have instead the riches of God's presence!

But what have I really wanted, based on my actions? Have I sold things that now I wish I hadn't?

Have I sold my innocence?

Have I sold my holiness?

Have I sold my disgust for the things that God hates?

Have I sold my ability to stand before Him with no barriers between us?

I don't like these thoughts. They make me sad. For everything sold something was paid, and what have I gained for the precious things I've lost?

But sometimes it's worth it to be uncomfortable.

The good news is, I know the best Businessman in the world. At buying things back, He has shown Himself more than capable.

I think He buys us with the intent to teach us to buy back what we have lost as well, He wants us to regain the precious things we've sold in our ignorance, but there is always a cost.

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. (Romans 12:2)

Sometimes the cost is sin, sometimes it's comfort, and sometimes it's much more. Maybe our home, our job, our lives.

Life is like a market. Everyone buys and everyone sells, you must decide what is worth keeping and what is better off exchanged for something else.

For some things, we need to realize, no price is too high.

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21)