Start with my video introduction here:
Vida4U “Sold Out” Part II
Romans 1:16-17
The Just Live by Faith
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
Philippians 1:20-21
According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:27-29
Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together (as opposed to against each other) for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of (their) perdition, but to you of (your) salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
What does being sold out look like? The best examples I find are sports. When I ran Cross Country in High School, we would arrive at the gym at 6:30 in the morning, suit up and then run 5 to 6 miles, shower, and get ready for class. We all liked the morning run. It was relaxed and easy. However, the afternoon run was a different story. We would run 16 miles on Monday, close to the same on Tuesday and Wednesday’s 12 miles. By the end of the afternoon runs, we were tired. Thursday was only the morning run because we had our track met that afternoon. Friday, we got to sleep in and only ran 8 to 10 miles in the afternoon. Weekends we were on our own. Living only 15 minutes from the beach, I would drive down and do beach workouts. The beach I went to had a steep hill, so I made a loop that included the neighborhood, the beach (both wet and dry sand), and then finished it off on the hill. I took a breather and did it several more times. My legs burned after each set.
If we didn’t run at least 5 to 6 miles each day on the weekend on Monday, the coach would make us all run sprints after the afternoon run. Nobody wanted that, and nobody wanted to be the one that made the team have to run sprints. You’d catch it from the others in the locker room. So we were all pretty good about getting our runs in.
Our team consistently placed number one or two in our league, our only real competitor was Corona Del Mar High. They ran more hills because of the school’s location and were a tough rival. At the end of the season, some of our better runners went to state to compete. The two years that I ran, my sophomore and junior years, were hard years. Everything that I did was focused on improving my run. It was 24-7. If I didn’t do something, it was because it didn’t help my running, if I did do something it was because it would help my running. From the food, I ate or didn’t eat, even going out with my friends. I needed to be home early so I could get to bed on time.
Every choice and decision I made was seen through that window. I didn’t like running but knew God was using it to teach me toughness and endurance, and I was definitely getting that daily. I was so relieved when I felt God releasing me from running. That senior year I was elected to be Student Body President and had a lot more school duties, so sports ended up taking a back seat. God has a sense of humor, as much as running stressed me out, having to badged my shins because I was constantly dealing with the pain of shin splints, to this day the only sport I continue to do from my school years is running and weight lifting ( weight lifting came from football).
When Paul says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” cross-country would be my example of a 110% devotion. And so because of that experience, I understand what Paul means. It’s “I’m all in,” and there is no plan B. If plan A doesn’t work, then I go down with the ship. Fortunately, our hope is not in a man, but in God who can never be defeated and who never fails. So cross-country taught me to resolve, and Jesus has taught me and continues to teach me purpose.
Several other verses speak to this 110%devotion.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Striving for a Crown
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I should become disqualified (the literal translation to “discipline my body” means to give myself a black eye. If my eyes cause me to sin I punch them to keep that from happening). True Christianity is you are either all in, or you’re not in at all. There is no “American Christianity” where you can have your indulgences and Christ, no it’s just Christ, He’s our life. However, having said that there is maturing in Christ. What I knew and how I lived for Christ 5 years ago to how I live for Him now is not the same. The challenges and difficulties of the last 5 years have given me the opportunity to say no to more of the worldly desires that existed in my soul and to repent of them.
And 2 Timothy 2:3-4
“You, therefore, must endure (sustain, under go)
hardship (pain, evil, affliction) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles( engages) himself or herself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” ( our calling)
How many of us are so involved in this life that we don’t know what it’s like to be solely devoted to Christ? That truth, unfortunately, is the single biggest reason why our society has become more tolerant and accepting of behaviors that we were not 10 to 15 years ago. We have been too busy doing our own thing, we have ceased being salt in the sense of a being a preserving agent against the decay of immortality and licentious behaviors. And we are called to be light, and by our life live The Way so others can see it ( Christianity was termed The Way in the early church by non-believers).
There has not been a flashlight big or small that has ever failed to chase away the darkness. It could be pitch black, and the light always pierces through the darkness and shows me the way. Are we doing that, can others see the life of Christ in us, especially in these times. I hope so, for this is when it counts. Confusion, fear and doubt all lessen when we are still and hear God speak to us through His Word.
Being a Christian requires enduring faith. It’s not for the faint of heart. The heart that is seeking its gain, it’s own recognition should not be a Christian. This is where people become disappointed with Christianity, God does not play by our rules. Jesus said some hard things, statements that turned people away. These hearers wanted something easy, something they could add to their daily agendas without much effort and still be guaranteed a spot in Heaven. Living faith does not work that way.
Matthew 10:37-39
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it ( sober words).
If I pastored a church I would rather have a 100 members whose lives were solidly committed to Christ words than a 900 who were not. Unfortunately, this is a good definition of the American church. It’s the 900 hundred that make the pastors job hard.
Matthew 10:32-33
(Luke 12:8, 9)
“Therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven ( you don’t want to do that regardless of the consequences, and the consequences can be ugly).
Matthew 10:16-20
Persecutions Are Coming
(Mark 13:9–13; Luke 21:12–17)
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you( Amen, never ever left alone).
These are tough verses and we are not as yet experiencing persecution and we may never become like China, however with a change of leadership there are many underlining forces in our country that could easily pull us in that direction. Take advantage of this current time, grow your faith and pray that we start getting back to meeting as a church.
Our company supports various organizations, one is the Voice of Martyrs. They send out a monthly magazine that updates believers of areas of persecution around the world. There is an article about China almost every month. Here are some quotes from this month’s magazine, our brothers in Christ.
“This new era of persecution may be a period of refinement for the maturing church. Some have left the faith because of the persecution but many more are firmly committed to following Christ despite the persecution. ‘ Persecution itself is evil to the people of God,’ Ben Chen said,’ but we rejoice that the gospel can be spread. We don’t simply believe that persecution itself can make the gospel spread, but God uses the persecution to make His people realize that there is a treasure (Christ) in the clay (us).” So as the church cherishes more holding the gospel dear, so they grow and the gospel is spread.”
Another attitude foreign to us is the attitude towards interrogations. What we are reading is the fruit of suffering, purified( free of self) and hence It becomes unstoppable faith. This kind of faith never sees defeat, because it turns conflict into opportunity. “When we are interrogated and or beaten for our faith, and I’m quoting, “‘ Try… to turn the event into a new meeting place for the church.” Some church members report seeing jailers come to Christ or policemen soften toward the gospel after witnessing the testimony of believers lives.’ These quotes come from leaders in The Early Rain church( let us pray for them).
And lastly a quote from Wang Yi the senior pastor, “ If God uses persecution of the church to lead others through a period of disillusionment with their life so that they can come to true faith then I am joyfully willing to submit to God’s plans, for His plans are always benevolent and good.”I definitely know that I have brothers and sisters from other mothers; their words resonate within my soul. Faith can only be developed through hard times and it can only be stopped if we sell out. If we stop being sons and daughters of our loving Father and Dad, and trade our relationship with Him for the rituals of religion, we will stop being the church.
As of 5/23, President Trump ordered that churches had to be opened, that they were essential. Whatever your opinion is of President Trump he has been an advocate for the unborn and for the church more than any President in this century. That should count, it does with me and we should be praying for him. It’s not just the right thing to do as believers but we are commanded to.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
Pray for All Men
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
Unstoppable Faith, how do we measure up? What would you do?
Acts 16:16-23
Paul and Silas Imprisoned
Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days.
But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour. But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laidmany stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
Now ask yourself, what would be your attitude at this moment, why me God? I was just doing what you told me to do? Unfortunately, most of us would probably think this. What is Paul and Silas attitude, do they demonstrate unstoppable faith in an unstoppable God? Was God faithful to them, you decide.
Acts 16:25-30
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns( not crying or complaining) to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Why did this harden jailer want to know of Christ? He’s heard many a man’s story proclaiming their innocents. How was Paul and Silas so different? Can it be….
James 1:2-5
Profiting from Trials
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
“count it all joy when” literally means to mentally consider or chose joy when the natural response is just the opposite. Habakkuk, was a prophet of God, and God was telling him that famine and war was coming. That God was using the Persian army to judge Israel for her idolatry, something that we are so guilty of. We may not worship idols of stone, but we definitely have our idols. The prophet faced the same choice as Paul and Silas. In the face of terrible news how did he respond? How have we done during this time of Covid?
Habakkuk 3:17-19
A Hymn of Faith
Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The LORD GOD is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills.
To rejoice literally means to jump up and spin around with joy. As if your favorite team just won the Super Bowl. Sold Out Faith is invincible because it believes in a God who is all able, loving, personal and caring. He is all powerful and above any circumstance. And if He doesn’t change the narrative of our life, it is not because He doesn’t care, but it is because He does care and He is teaching us to become victorious IN the suffering. To loosen our white knuckle grip on the possessions and cares of this world and how we think our life should be and to fully trust Him so as to gain a greater treasure. Paul and Silas did not sing praises in spite of the suffering but because of the suffering because they were counted worthy to suffer as their Lord. Next time sickness, illness, unfair treatment or rebuke cultivate a thankful heart that we are being given an opportunity to live out our faith and as you rejoice know that your testimony of Christ shines.
This world fills our bags with useless stuff that we can’t take with us. These things do not give us lasting joy or peace, what they give is a counterfeit joy and peace. We need to empty our bags so the Lord can fill them with His possessions, possessions of joy, life, peace, wisdom, fulfillment that endures into eternity. Amen
Lastly, remember the most dangerous prison is the one we don’t see. Compromising holiness and purity for the things of the world dilutes and quenches our faith and builds a wall between me and a loving, but a most Holy God. This prison is unseen because it caters to our flesh, and unless we are careful will lessen our earnestness toward our faith and make us comfortable with this life.
Father God,
Use these unsettling times to grow our faith. Pandemics are nothing new to You, you have been with many a believer through them, be with us now. Covid and/or the agenda behind it will potentially change our way of life. However, if our way of life is hid in You, then though the external things may change, our life with You only gets better. Your people and saints in the past have also been faced with difficulties and struggles. Help us as our brother said to value the treasure that is in the clay and allow whatever buffeting that may come to purify us as gold is purified. Thank you for this study and Amen.
Go in Grace and in the Power of the Holy Spirit. – ArthurArthur Navarrette
Vida4U.com is the website where all past Vida’s are archived. In addition to the weekly devotionals, the yearly inspirational writings featured in December’s House2Home Magazine are archived under “Faith Talk.” Please use this site for your benefit and refer your friends to it as well. If they would like the weekly series emailed to them, they can send their requests to Arthur@Vida4U.com.