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Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

– Romans 6:3-4

Slang terms. Some of them we love, some of them we hate, some are idiotic, while others actually have a deeper meaning. Regardless of how we feel, we must accept the reality that slang terms become part of our language while reflecting our culture. One such slang term that, if you take the time to actually listen to what it is insinuating actually can carry weight as a follower of Christ.

Owning it. You need to own it. You are really owning it. The literal definition alludes to possessing something, usually materialistic or financial in nature. However, informal English has opened up this term to a personal aspect in our life. Owning it generally means accepting full responsibility for our actions, decisions, and their outcomes. It is confidently embracing our unique qualities and achievements. Owning it signifies accountability, taking ownership of a situation, positive or negative, good or bad rather than deflecting blame.

It is not hard to see how this slang term fits into our faith and the intensity we follow Christ. In reality, it is nothing more than a metric, a barometer so to speak that we can use when looking in the mirror. 

Unfortunately, many today have become content living off of others. Not so much from a financial dependance, though that occurs much too often. The far more tragic dependance involved here is living off someone else’s accomplishments, their successes and even their identity. The world has historically always had idols. As disastrous as that was, somewhere along the way, people and cultures have channeled their idolatry on those they, well idolize. These idols are elevated to royalty and seek to portray an image that is wrought with deception. It creates a machine with an insurable hunger that is fed off the insecurities and dreams of the public. 

In so many ways, history is repeating itself in that it is nothing more than worship of those people and things that, at a core level, only contain emptiness and despair. This idol ideology runs contrary to owning it. Instead of relying on others to establish your identity, your opinions, even your thoughts, to own it means that you grab hold, take the helm and steer your own ship, making your own path, even if it runs contrary to public opinion and cultural norms. 

It is not hard to see where this fits into our faith. Instead of living off someone else’s identification as a Christian, we choose to make Christ our own. Rather than sharing someone else’s testimony like it’s our own, we step out and live out what Christ has placed before us. In place of attending a church because someone you know goes there, a church becomes your own. And most importantly, Jesus has moved from the abstract to the intimate. Your faith becomes your own, testimonies begin to accrue as you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and you become an interracial, unique, beautiful part of the Body of Christ.

You are really owning it because you have made the choice to follow Christ.

As Paul so wonderfully puts it, We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.And now we understand that owning it means living within your identity in Christ.

“Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 

– Matthew 14:28-29

As Americans, we like to evaluate aspects of our life based on comfort. Can we live and retire financially comfortable? When we get home from a long day, we like to change into clothes that are more comfortable. We choose a mattress based on comfort level. When we are having a hard day, we crave comfort food. Many Christian’s seek out and select a church that extends a level of comfort that they deem acceptable.

From a Biblical perspective, we see something very different. We don’t need to look any further than the New Testament to see that commitment to Christ and purposefully walking with Him actually brought the disciples to a place of worldly discomfort. Willingly, they gave up their home, their occupation, their cultural identity, not to mention personal safety and security. The teachings of Jesus in regards to following Him were upfront, a servant leader lifestyle engulfed in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit and contrary, even in opposition to the world.

The Biblical standard for following Jesus remains the same over two thousand years later. 

For us today, we may face different challenges and situations, however they must lead us to the same point. This includes a place of wonderful discomfort.

Dying to ourselves moves us into a place where we can truly live for Christ. Our flesh takes a stand here and the battle can be harsh and distressing. It really is a place of wonderful discomfort. And then, in a similar fashion, there is the lordship issue. To come under the lordship of Jesus goes beyond taming the flesh and means we do the things Jesus commands us to do. 

The choice to obey brings a wonderful discomfort into our lives. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is never painless. He lovingly shows us our sin, our disobedience and those things we need to bring before Christ. As hard as conviction is to face and respond to, it is always wonderful discomfort. Sometimes we struggle in prayer. When our heart is broken or we are in despair, when anxiety seeks to strangle us, when anger or uncertainty seems to abound, it can be hard to go before the Lord. But we know we need to. What a wonderful time of discomfort because we know that He is always there, always waiting for us.

Then there are the Kingdom decisions that we face throughout our life. The opportunities that the Lord places before us. These are the times we have to make a choice. A choice to follow where He is leading, even if it brings displeasure or uncertainty. It’s okay, even normal to wrestle with God before making a decision. The wonderful discomfort in these times brings clarity and commitment. 

 

When Peter chose to step out of the boat, it was a wonderfully uncomfortable experience. Choosing to trust in Jesus despite a lifetime of living on the sea and understanding the water. Instead of trusting his years of experience, Peter had to unlearn his reliance upon himself and choose to trust Jesus. That’s wonderfully uncomfortable. Stepping out of the boat onto and not into the sea. There is a wonderfully uncomfortable experience when the uncertainty in yourself intersects with the unlimited confidence and ability of God. It is a place that even though we have full trust in the Lord, we have to reconcile it within ourselves. It is a place of choice that often leads us into the realm of the wonderfully uncomfortable.

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.

– 2 Corinthians 10:12

All cultures and societies have some degree of an imposed standard, a measuring stick so to speak. Some are more overt while others are closer to an unwritten rule. Whether this is intentional or it simply evolves, the norms that influence the customs of a nation or ethnicity become apparent. At its most basic level, it becomes an accepted standard of measure.

As history tells us, there can be negative effects with any imposed standard of measure. The most evident of these is the inevitable establishment of a class system. Again, throughout history we see some in society elevated simply because of birthright or social status while many are depressed into a peasant, servant or slave role. From this point, bigotry and racism are but a short step away.

The basis of many wars and oppression are founded in some degree of an imposed social measurement. To a believer, this should come as little surprise. The prince of this world seeks to deceive and divide mankind. One of his primary tactics is tempting us with pride and envy, two edges of the same sword. Tragically, this tactic is not only effective from a nationalistic or ethnic standpoint, but it is also prevalent in our personal lives. 

The main difference here is that one is culturally imposed while the other is self induced. Without a firm foundation, it becomes easy to over inflate or conversely devalue ourselves or those around us. This brings us back to the issue of pride and envy. The results are predictable, we either think too highly of ourselves or we find fault in everything we do or are.

How did we ever get to a place where the standard of measure has become such an effective weapon bringing division amongst each other as well as within ourselves?

As a follower of Christ, one of the wonderful changes that occurs is that we are no longer bound to a worldly, sinful, fallen standard. When we are born in Christ, not only are we a new creation, the old measuring stick is abolished. Because of the Holy Spirit, we move away from how the world sees us or even how we see ourselves and begin to see ourselves through God’s eyes. Not only does the Father see Christ in us, we see Christ in us and in our brothers and sisters in the faith. However, we must guard against falling back into our old ways. 

One of the most important questions we need to be asking ourselves is, what or who am I measuring myself against? Paul becomes a relatable example here. Before his radical encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul had every reason to elevate himself above those around him. When Paul met Christ, a humbling followed his surrender and with that a new measuring stick was given to him.  

Consider Paul’s words to the Philippians found in chapter 2 verses 3 and 4, Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

The new standard of measure that we receive when we are born again is summed up in the Great Commandment, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

What measuring stick are you using in your life?