Do What’s Right
Former Navy SEAL schools me on taking ownership of life
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So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
James 4:17 (ESV)
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Well this one hits me like a ton of bricks.
I think much of the time when walking through life we tend to compare ourselves to the worst of humanity. “Yeah, I know I lie a little sometimes, but at least I’m not a murderer like that person.”
Unfortunately, sin is sin.
All sin separates us from God.
Fortunately, Christ’s work on the cross covers our sin (if we accept that gift).
So, circling back to this verse, it’s one of extreme ownership: I must take responsibility to do the right thing, and not merely avoid doing the wrong things.
I first came across the idea of extreme ownership listening to former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. I believe he even titled a book Extreme Ownership. I haven’t read the book, but he’s big on the idea that discipline is the path to freedom.
I agree with that idea.
“Everything is my fault.”
While I know a statement like that is not literally true, it’s a part of taking responsibility.
Because the truth is that I can only control so much, so I might as well take as much ownership of things as I can. In a way, disciplining myself to do good works.
Which brings me back to the bricks.
I have a responsibility to do what’s right, and if I don’t, then it’s the same as rebelling against God.
That may or may not be literally true, but it is a way for me to take extreme ownership of my life.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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