 |
|
|
SELLOUT
Words create pictures for our minds as we hear them. “Sellout” is certainly one that creates many images.
There is the commercial perception of a huge sale that is a “sellout” and that is a lovely word for the merchant.
The word has positive connotations when used as a synonym for being totally committed to a person or activity.
The word has negative connotations when used as a synonym for “commitment breaker.”
The strength of the word, used as either a positive or a negative communication is one of weight. There must have been a firm commitment made in any given situation to a person or policy. It carries a deeper meaning than just a contract by word or signature. The state of being “Sold Out” to a cause or person goes into the heart and fiber of true relationship. One must have been “sold out” in order to be a “sellout.”
True “sellouts” are not common. We might consider that Judas was a sellout to the cause of and to Jesus. But was Judas ever really sold out to the cause, or was he sold out to the cause according to his perceptions of how it was to be transacted? Did he ever have a true allegiance to Jesus?
This question brings to mind the texts of Scripture in which Jesus tells some persons, who think they are acceptable to Jesus, that they are not acceptable and that He never knew them. He gives the command for them to depart from His Presence. They are quoted as saying, “But, we have done many mighty things in your name and have even cast out demons in your name.” Nonetheless Jesus says, “I never knew you.”
It seems to deduce to this as the situation; we can be committed to a cause while not being committed to the Founder of the cause.
I hesitate to use this quote of C. S. Lewis because I do not know in which of his essays it can be found, but this is my recall of it; he was giving an address to “preacher-boys” at their graduation exercise;
“If you cannot accept the teachings of Jesus, as He taught them, then start your own religion but call it by your name.”
We have too many who like to attach themselves to the name of Christ but who refute His teachings.
They are not “sellouts,” they never did in fact embrace the tenets of Christianity. They desired to come to what they perceived as, The Bible Buffet, and to put together their own choices, taking some of the teachings of Jesus and declining to accept others. They cause a great deal of confusion to those who are true seekers.
It would seem to be the work continued, under the guidance of the first “Sellout.”
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
|
|
|
