Suffering: A Bad Background, Like Ruth
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
At best, Ruth's background was eyebrow-raising. She was born in Moab, not Israel, and Moab was an alien nation, filled with outsiders and idolaters.
So when Ruth's Jewish husband passed away, would she return to her previous life? Or would pages of her past be erased?
No and Yes! Ruth's remarkable virtue and outstanding behavior in tough times… won the respect of her future husband AND a position in God's Hall of Fame.
(Trumpet and applause!) Ruth is the great-grandmother of David and a foremother of Jesus Himself!
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Are you proud of your family background? Do you brag about past achievements? If so, you’re in the “oh-no-danger zone.” Because God tells us to humble ourselves.*
Or did you come from some place or some thing… that judgmental Christians might disparage? If so, you’re in the best of company, because so did Jesus (and Ruth) were in that club?
Either way, think about these four points:
Certainly, God loves His chosen people, but still honored two unlikely ladies. Before Ruth was Rahab, a prostitute. Both of them are in the Bloodline of Christ. Conclusion? Kind hearts mean more than bad pasts.
If you're thankful to be a child of God, so am I, but let’s not brag about it. “Holier than thou” Christians don’t smell good, and they aren’t attractive ambassadors. Instead, let’s extend spiritual fruit.**
Jesus didn’t come to call the “righteous”. He left the 99 to find the stray. Clearly, lost people are loved by the Lord. In no way does a “pedigreed” Christian have an advantage over a convert. (Tears of repentance beat years of acclaim:)***
God picks the unlikely to be His stars: grateful people who know how small they are and never let pride trump humility. Similarly, the kings of media are always looking for bright new faces.
Background means less than rising and shining:)
Suffering: A Bad Background, Like Ruth (Part 44)
* 'Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your Name and in Your Name drive out demons and in Your Name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!' ' (Matthew 7:21-23).
* Paul, a highly educated Pharisee and Roman who became God's top traveling evangelist, said, 'If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness' (2 Corinthians 11:30).
** ‘They say to each other, ‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me! I am holier than you!’ These people are a stench in my nostrils, an acrid smell that never goes away’ (Isaiah 65:5, NLT).
** ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law’ (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB).
*** 'There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance' (Luke 15:7).
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!