Sold Out

For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:8

When you think of the term “sold out” what comes to mind? Paul did not use that term when it came to being a follower of Christ. He was more direct as we see in Romans 14:8. Once we become a believer in Jesus Christ we make Him Lord of our lives. There is no salvation without Christ being the Lord of our lives. It seems unbelievable that genuine believers who love and serve the Lord and understand His Word can believe, as some do, that it is possible for a person to receive Jesus Christ as Savior but not as Lord. He died not only to save us but to own us, not only to free us from sin but to enslave us to Himself. Although the early church fully appreciated and praised Christ for our salvation, their earliest and most common confession was, “Jesus is Lord.” Look what Paul wrote in Romans 6:17-18, “But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

Paul, Peter, and the half-brothers of Jesus, James and Jude, refereed to themselves as slaves of Christ. He was their Lord and Savior. When a true believer comes to Christ they have obeyed Jesus command to count the cost. They heed the words of their Savior to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. The fear of man is set aside and the fear of God controls their lives (Matthew 10:28). It does no good to know God and believe in Him if you have not trusted in Him alone for salvation (James 2:19). What say you? Do you believe in God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit? The devil and his angles believe that and much more but they will spend eternity in hell. It takes more then head knowledge or praying a prayer. Saving faith is seen in our transformed lives. As we make Jesus our Lord and Savior we can cry out as Paul and every other child of God, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark