Ruth Deciding for God

This is a brave, outspoken confession of faith, and it is made by a woman, a young woman, a poor woman, a widow woman, a foreigner. Her mother-in-law, ought to have been cheered, notwithstanding her sharp afflictions, because her great temporal loss was accompanied by a greater spiritual gain. She lost her home in Moab, but found the soul of her daughter. Naomi’s return to her true place brought Ruth to a decision: when Christians become consistent, their children and friends frequently become converted.

I. AFFECTION FOR THE GODLY SHOULD INFLUENCE US TO GODLINESS.

Many forces combine to effect this:—

1. There is the influence of companionship. We ought to be affected by godly people more than we are by the wicked, since we should lend ourselves to their influence.

2. The influence of admiration. Imitation is the most sincere praise: what we favor we follow. Let us therefore copy the saints.

3. The influence of instruction. When we learn from a teacher we are affected by him in many ways. Instruction is a kind of formation.

4. The influence of reverence. Those who are older, wiser, and better than we are create in us a profound respect, and lead us to follow their example.

5. The influence of desire to cheer them. This should lead many of us to be attentive to the word, willing to go with Christian friends to worship, and happy to hearken to their conversation; for we know that this will greatly please them.

6. The influence of fear of separation. It will be an awful thing to be eternally divided from the dear ones who seek our salvation; it is even painful to have to leave them at the Lord’s Table, when they partake and we do not.

II. RESOLVES TO GODLINESS WILL BE TESTED.

1. By the poverty of the godly and their other trials. Naomi was penniless, but Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you.” Poor saints are often despised saints, and young people are apt to decline the religion of the poor.

2. By counting the cost. You yourself will have to come out from your friends, as Ruth did. You will have to share the lot of God’s people, as Ruth shared with Naomi. Hebrews 11:24–26.

3. By the drawing back of others. Orpah turned back with a kiss, as many do who promised well for a time. The return of Pliable must not discourage Christian.

4. By the duties involved in religion. Ruth must work in the fields. Some proud people will not submit to the rules of Christ’s house, nor to the regulations which govern the daily lives of believers.

5. By the apparent coldness of believers. Naomi does not persuade her to keep with her, but the reverse. She was a prudent woman, and did not wish Ruth to come with her by persuasion, but by conviction.

6. By the silent sorrow of some Christians. Naomi said, “Call me not Naomi, but call me Bitterness.” Persons of a sorrowful spirit there always will be; but this must not hinder us from following the Lord.

III. SUCH GODLINESS MUST MAINLY LIE IN THE CHOICE OF GOD.

1. This is the believer’s distinguishing possession. “Your God shall be my God.”

2. His great article of belief. “I believe in God.”

3. His ruler and lawgiver. “Make me to go in the path of your commandments.” Psalm 119:38.

4. His instructor. “Teach me your way, O Lord.” Ps 28:2.

5. His trust and stay. See Ruth 2:12. “This God is our God forever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:14.

IV. BUT IT SHOULD INVOLVE THE CHOICE OF HIS PEOPLE. “Your people shall be my people.”

They are ill spoken of by the other kingdom.

Not all we could wish them to be.

Not a people out of whom much is to be gained.

But Jehovah is their God, and they are his people.

Our eternal inheritance is part and parcel of theirs.

A near kinsman is among them. The true Boaz is willing to take us to himself, and to redeem our inheritance.

Let us make deliberate, humble, firm, joyful, immediate choice for God and his saints; accepting their lodging in this world, and going with them where they are going.

What say our hearers to this? Will you cling to your godly relatives? Or do you now take another road, and so choose an end far removed from theirs?

Lights

Often have I met with cases where love to mother has created in the young bosom a desire to know mother’s God. The idea of never seeing again a departed father has full often led children to seek the Lord. Is not human love a highly suitable means for heavenly love to use? Babes are induced to walk by their desire to be in their mother’s arms; many have made their first essays at faith because they would gladly give a dear parent delight.

The converted freedman gave happy expression to his decided adhesion to Christ when he said, “I have got safe past de go-back corner. I’m going’ all de journey home. And if you don’t see me at de first of them twelve gates up there, just look on to de next one, for I’m bound to be there.” Alas! for thousands in all our congregations; they never get by the “go-back corner.”—Dr. Cuyler.

The power of Christian character shining forth from the face, form, and through the speech of a Christian man, is finely illustrated in the following incident:—An Afghan once spent an hour in the company of Dr. William Marsh, of England. When he heard that Dr. Marsh was dead, he said: “His religion shall now be my religion; his God shall be my God; for I must go where he is, and see his face again.”

I know his sackcloth and ashes are better than the fool’s laughter.—Rutherford.

In a memoir of the Rev. G. G. Letters, it is stated that he was converted at a prayer-meeting one Sabbath evening. That same evening as his mother sat with her children by the fire, she talked of the delight it would give her if they, as one family, were traveling together on the King’s highway. Suddenly, George sprang up, and looking around him, said, with calm resolute voice, “I, for one, have decided for Christ.”—Wesleyan Methodist Magazine.

Open union with the people of God is most desirable. It would argue disloyalty in a soldier if he would not wear his regimentals, and refused to take his place in the ranks. True, he might fight alone, but it would probably turn out to be a sorry business. If God’s people will not be ashamed of us we need not be ashamed of them. I should not like to go into a public assembly disguised in the dress of a thief; I prefer my own clothes, and I cannot understand how Christians can bear themselves in the array of worldlings.