To be poured out is shown in type in the Old Testament where every sacrifice was accompanied by an offering of wine, Numbers 15:1-16. The sacrifice was not considered complete until the drink offering was poured out. It was the symbol of eventual victory and being settled in the promised land.
Poured Out
Paul said that even if he was being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of the people’s faith, he rejoiced, Philippians 2:17.
At the end of his life he said he was poured out as a drink offering, 2 Timothy 4:6. He had dedicated himself to the worship and service of God and was on his way to meet His Maker face to face.
To be poured out is to freely express your deepest emotions. It is an act and a commitment of your free will.
Divine Exchange
From Genesis to Revelation is all about the Divine Exchange. Before the foundation of the world God’s perfect plan was to exchange man’s fallen state with the glorious state of total redemption. He alone knows the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10.
Christ, leaving His perfect and home with the Father and coming to earth as a mortal man, is the most awesome example of the Divine Exchange. Starting as a fertilized embryo to the time of His return to glory, reveals the heart of the Divine Exchange.
Not Robbery
The Son of God thought it not robbery to be poured out and become the Son of Man. Whether on earth, or in heaven, the Son of God was always at ease. Although He existed in the form of God He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. But emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant and made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross, Philippians 2:6-8.
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Christ Poured Out
Christ became like us but He was without a sin nature. He allowed Himself to be utterly poured out. He wept in the Garden of Gethsemane. Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done, Luke 22:42.
Christ became so poured out that He finally cried from the cruel cross of Calvary the words of Psalm 22:1, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ Matthew 27:46. He knew the terrible separation from God that sin causes.
Jesus’ final words were again the words of the psalmist, Psalm 31:5, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit’, Luke 23:46.
Divine Exchange
All of this was so that God could impart His life into those who would accept Jesus Christ as the Saviour of the world. Christ alone could bridge the unpassable chasm between God the Father and fallen mankind. He alone is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Jesus said, No one comes to the Father except through Me, John 14:6.
Benefits of Divine Exchange
A discussion on the benefits of the Divine Exchange would fill an entire library of books. The simplest summary is that those who believe in what the Son of God did at Calvary, and repent, stand justified before their Heavenly Father. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creature. The old things are passed away, behold new things have come, 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Because Christ was prepared to be totally poured out, absolutely everything the Son of God is He imparts to His followers. They are adopted into the kingdom of God and made fit for an eternal life in the presence of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Divine Exchange brings fallen man into line with God’s eternal purpose.
Sanctified
Your name was written in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. The believer is not only justified before God through the righteousness of the Son, the follower of Christ begins the journey of sanctification.
Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship, Romans 12:1.
However, you do not walk that walk alone. Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us, Romans 8:34. The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, Romans 8:26.
Result of Poured Out
God said He would pour out His Spirit so as to transform the lives of His people. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His, 2 Chronicles 16:9. After all, we were created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26 and for God’s good pleasure, Philippians 2:13. We were created to worship the Creator, the Great I Am Who I Am, Exodus 3:3.
The goal of being willingly poured out is that we mature to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13. We are to be Spirit led and Spirit empowerd sons of God, for which the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly, Romans 8:19.
The poured-out ones who willingly obey the Heavenly Father will hear the words ‘Well done good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things. I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your Master’, Matthew 25:23.
Challenge to be Poured Out
Are you prepared daily to be poured out for the One who poured out all He had for you? Will you seek the face of the Father every day of your life? I the presence of God more important to you than all else? Jesus said, If anyone loves Me he will keep My word and My Father will love him. And We will come to him and make Our abode with Him, John 14:23,
Are you willing to honour all that the Son did for you by being led by the Spirit of God in all your ways? Will you give away the altar of self, ego and pride? Will you put the Divine Exchange above all else in your life? You can be like Paul and let your life be poured out for God’s glory. What are the real desires of your heart?
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