Over the last few weeks, I’ve been seeing the debate happening on social media. It’s not a new debate. I do however think that it cycles as we begin to see more and more people who claim to be followers of Christ or call themselves Christian. Both media and the entertainment industry have played a major role in blurring the lines and creating the open door that draws Christians into this non-Biblical worldview. I suppose my recent brush with death has stirred me, so I want to share a few thoughts for consideration for those who feel that it’s okay to be righteous and rachet.
What Does it Mean to be Righteous?
From a Biblical perspective, to be righteous is to be “just, lawful, of good conduct and character.” Being righteous is not just a reference to one’s position spiritually; it also speaks to one’s position governmentally.
The first time we see this word used in the Bible is in reference to Noah, whom God called righteous (Genesis 7:1). The next time we see it used is when Abraham petitions God to spare those who would be righteous so that they did not become casualties of the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:23-28).
What Does it Mean to be Rachet?
According to the urban dictionary, to be rachet is essentially “an obnoxious and rude person who is self-contained, believing that they are God’s gift to the world but is often just ghetto fabulous and low class.” If you dig further, you find that the word rachetness is then viewed as “the state of being depraved and immoral.”
Can You Truly Have It Both Ways?
From Jesus’ perspective, a Christian or person of ‘the Kingdom” must choose. He says in both Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 that “no one can serve two masters; for either they will hate the one and love the other or be loyal to one and despise the other.” Jesus also said in Luke 9:62 that “no one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the Kingdom.”
Here’s the Challenge
Part of the challenge for Christians is in being surrendered. If we call ourselves followers of Christ and citizens of the Kingdom, our character and conduct must reflect that we are of that Kingdom. When we say that we are both righteous and rachet, we’re saying that the Kingdom is not enough. We’re saying that we can’t let go of this part of our old self. What does it say to God who raises us to a new life in Him, if we then tell Him we still want our old and low life?
Jesus pointed out on numerous occasions that those who try to hold onto their old life and the things that they hold in great value over the kingdom are unable to enter into God’s Kingdom. That included those who hold on to their wealth (Matthew 19:24, Mark 10:21).
When we say that we can be both righteous and rachet, it doesn’t make us relatable to non-Christians, it confuses them, as well as immature Christians. It confuses the non-Christian because they fail to see the difference between how they’re living and how we live. If we say that God’s way is better, how are we communicating that by choosing to embrace the ways of the flesh? It confuses the immature Christian because they cannot correctly discern that the gospel has been corrupted by leaven.
When we say that we can be both, we’re mixing seeds and cultivating choked-out fruit. James said that in the same way that a fig tree cannot produce olive berries, neither can a fountain produce both sweet and bitter water (James 3:11-12).
As Christians, we’re called to walk between two worlds. We’re citizens of God’s Kingdom, yet we live in a world of fallen men. Jesus lived as one of us to show us an example of how we can live in both worlds and not debase ourselves. Paul admitted that he became many things for the purpose of winning some to Christ. However, at no time does he claim to have lowered himself to carnality to do that.
When Christians want to have it both ways, it does not become a winning strategy for enlarging the Kingdom, it becomes a stumbling block to God’s plan and weakens the Christian testimony of a life that’s been changed. I’ve often said that when you try to straddle a fence you only end up hurting yourself. However, in this case, when you try to have your feet in both the world of the righteous and rachet you’re drawing others into your conflict.
My eldest uncle’s favorite verse says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. The attempt to be both righteous and rachet makes you an unstable representative. Choose to live as God would have you to live. Representing the Kingdom doesn’t prevent you from having fun or enjoying life. A righteous life does not invalidate one’s ability to empathize or be compassionate towards those who still live how we once did. It becomes the testimony of how God transformed us from rags to riches. Live how God intended. It’s He whom we should be desirous to please and no one else.
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