‘Ride or Die’ is a popular term that originated in the biker community meaning that riding was so important they would rather die if they couldn’t ride. Culture then adopted the phrase and attitude to a woman who was so loyal to her significant other that she would stick with him through everything no matter the danger to herself. Ride or die applies to anyone and means loyalty at ALL cost to someone other than yourself. Does your life show who you ride or die with??
Ride or die was built into mankind by God and is meant for the Creator first and foremost. God told us to ride or die with HIM..(remember the 10 Commandments, Exodus 20). BTW, you want to ride or die with someone you can ride OR DIE with. Being a Christ follower puts an interesting twist on this. Jesus addressed ride or die when He said…'”I am the resurrection and the life…and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”‘ John 11:25-26. Do YOU live like you really believe this???
One of the first people to speak and live out ride or die was a guy named John. John the Baptist was the OG and coined the phrase but said it in old school words. John spoke of his loyalty to Jesus….”He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30. Ride or die is more of a lifestyle of subordination and submission than catchy slang. Ride or die people stand apart from the crowd.
Ride or die isn’t safe or easy. Putting someone before yourself means exercising that loyalty with your words and actions. John the Baptist rode with the man who came telling everyone they needed to repent to God for their sins; wouldn’t be a popular Facebook post these days. Riding with Jesus got John’s head cut off. Kinda makes you picture the Christians in the Taliban video a few years ago. Ride or die isn’t a pretty social media post.
Where do you see ride or die explained and lived out? Facebook and IG may come to mind but the Bible is THE ride or die handbook. Paul put it this way…’Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4. This is ride or die in old school vernacular.
What does riding and dying with Jesus look like in 2019? How do you roll when you are wrongly accused, spoken poorly of by neighbors or your kids are slighted for the way they dress or the car they drive? God’s word says…’Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse…do not be conceited..do not repay anyone evil for evil…do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath…on the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him…do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” ‘ Romans 12:14-21. Riding with God means you stand out like a long haired biker with a tattoo on your forehead.
Ride or die reeks of altruism, loyalty, trust and commitment regardless of the cost. These qualities are hard wired in human DNA but they need an object to be expressed upon and this is where the rubber meets the road. If we don’t want our leaders to live out their faith, then political parties become the object to ride or die. If freedom of speech is replaced by political correctness and popularity, then Facebook and Instagram become platforms to show piety, accomplishments and where we vacation. When we don’t make God our front and center every day then He becomes less and WE become greater.
Paul’s words express my current state and desire to ride and die with Christ. ‘Not that I have already attained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But, one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 3:12-14. I’m not there, but I’m trying each day.
Our world and our God need us to live each day with the ride or die attitude and lifestyle. The world needs to see, know and hear how we ride or die. I ride or die with my bride and my kids…I ride or die with a few friends… I want to be a friend to ride and die with. I believe a commitment to Jesus is the best way to live a ride or die life.