THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER -- WINTER 2025

So many times we hear the words “sold out” in reference to how we should live our lives for God. I heard a song that came out last year that put this thought in my head. Along with being “sold out”, I began to apply another word that is an example of how I believe we should be living-- The word “abandoned”. At first glance, most people think of the first definition, however, there is a second definition as well. 

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A-ban-doned [uh-bahn-dund] ¹having been deserted or cast off; ²unrestrained; uninhibited (expressing one's feelings or thoughts unselfconsciously) 

 

Imagine someone who sells everything they own to pursue a treasure they believe is worth more than life itself. People may call them crazy for giving up everything they have for the “unknown”, but to them, they know the treasure is priceless. In our walk with Christ, this is what it means to be sold out and abandoned—giving Him everything and holding nothing back. Too often, we give God part of us, but not all. 

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Being Sold Out Means Being Totally Committed

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Matthew 13:45-46 says “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. [46]When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”

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The merchant sold everything he had because he found something he thought was worth it all. To be sold out means to reorder your priorities, putting Christ first; to embrace sacrifice of time, finances, and energy; and making sure that nothing is off-limits to God.

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Being Abandoned Means Having Uninhibited Freedom

 

2 Samuel 6:14-16, 20-22 says "Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, [15]while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets. [16]As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart. [ . . . ] [20]When David returned home to bless his household, Michal, daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” [21]David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. [22]I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.” 

 

David danced before the Lord with all his might. He didn’t care who was watching, because his devotion was to God alone. He even said that he was willing to be even more undignified. This doesn’t mean everyone has to go dancing in the streets right now but it’s about not letting anything inhibit or hinder you.

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Abandoned means to not fear man.

 

Galatians 1:10  "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ."

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Abandoned means to worship without reservation

 

John 4:23–24 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24]God is spirit,and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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Abandoned means to obey without conditions

 

Luke 9:23-25 "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. [24]For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. [25]What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?"

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Living abandoned is saying: “God, my life is Yours to use however You desire.”

To be sold out is about commitment. To be abandoned is about expression and freedom. We need both! One without the other is incomplete. Being sold out but not abandoned leads to rigid, joyless religion. To be abandoned but not sold out leads to a shallow excitement without deep roots. Together they form a life of surrendered passion. 

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There are many things that prevent us from living sold out and abandoned. We often fear what people might think of us. Proverbs 29:25 "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."

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We can also be held back by our own desire for control. We want God, but on our terms. It is also not easy to step out of our own comfort zones, and we are unwilling to step out in faith. But despite these barriers, we must overcome. Half-hearted devotion is not only unacceptable; it is actually dangerous.  Revelation 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

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So how do we live this out? First, we must surrender daily. Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God." This is what true and proper worship means. 

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We also must worship unreservedly, giving Him our voice, our dance, our tears, and our silence. We must obey no matter how much it costs, willing to pay the price even when we don’t know what it is. God may ask us to give up our job, some friends, or anything else. 

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Finally, we must witness boldly! The early church prayed for boldness, not safety. Acts 4:29-31 "Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. [30]Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. [31]After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

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Living sold out and abandoned is not about perfection. It’s about posture, your approach and attitude. It’s choosing daily to say: “Lord, everything I am belongs to You — no fear, no holding back.” As we go about our day, I want you to think about: What’s one area you need to surrender? What’s one step of abandoned obedience you can take this week?