Choosing Christ-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World
Brushing your teeth has become what we call second nature to you—it's an action so often repeated that it now exists in the realm of muscle memory.
Now here's something to think about...
In Christ, Christians are given a completely new nature, with new desires, new tastes, and a new lifestyle. As we continue to grow in Christ, we develop consistent patterns of living that are the spiritual equivalent of brushing your teeth—patterns of thinking, believing, and acting that become so ingrained in us that we scarcely even think about them.
We are studying the lives of seven biblical characters, that will show some of those patterns that grow out of our belief in the gospel. And we should be challenged to actively develop these patterns until they become second nature to us, like brushing our teeth.
We have examined the faith of Caleb, the wisdom of Solomon, and this week we'll look at the Commitment of Ruth - you know the story.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
“For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health,
until death do us part.”
We’ve all sat through a wedding and heard those words spoken.
Many of us have spoken those words ourselves. There at the altar,
the starry-eyed couple makes a promise to each other, to the
congregation, and to God. Though they say the words, most couples
think their life together will always be better, or richer, or healthy.
That kind of talk comes easy on wedding days when the sun is
shining, everyone is beautiful, and the occasion is joyful. But the day
will come when the circumstances change and that commitment is
put to the test.
Marriage is just one form of commitment. The Christian life is filled
with other commitments—to our friends, to our local churches,
or even a simple promise we make to someone else. We live in a
world where talk is pretty cheap, but loyalty and faithfulness should
be second nature to those who follow Jesus. As His disciples, we must
choose to live lives of commitment, not convenience.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Ruth 1:8-10
8
Naomi said to them, “Each of you go back to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness
to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. 9
May the Lord grant each of you rest in the
house of a new husband.” She kissed them, and they wept loudly. 10 They said to her, “We insist
on returning with you to your people.”
The Book of Ruth is a ray of hope in an otherwise dark time for God’s people. It’s a story of faithfulness,
commitment, and endurance, and it stands as a testimony that even in the worst of times, God is
committed to preserving His people.
Ruth’s story reads like a tragedy in the beginning. During the days of the judges, Elimelech and Naomi
took their two sons to live in Moab, far away from their home in Bethlehem. Elimelech died some time
after, as did their two sons. That left Naomi and her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth,
alone and unsupported. Naomi could see a spark of hope by returning home to Bethlehem, but what
about Orpah and Ruth? She thought they would have a better chance by returning to the homes they left
when they married into Naomi’s family.
This left Orpah and Ruth with a choice. Would they take the road of commitment to their mother-in-law,
or would they choose the road of convenience?
Who would blame them if they simply went home? After all, they’d already experienced more than their
fair share of grief and hardship. Along those same lines, who would blame us for leaving a marriage?
Or for leaving our church? Or for walking out on a friendship? Surely none of those relationships is
without difficulty. We have ways of justifying to ourselves and to others why it’s best for all concerned if
we simply walk away.
What character traits in a person inspire your loyalty?
As disciples of Jesus, we need to remember that God’s faithfulness
ultimately fuels our commitment to others. We can stay instead of
leave. We can endure instead of abandon. We can persevere instead
of run. (Keep in mind, we’re not referring to abusive relationships—
those that are harmful or detrimental to us.)
We can do all this not because of our own willpower, but because
we know our God stays, endures, and perseveres. He is committed
to us!
Ruth 1:11-15
11
But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do
you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons
who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my
daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband.
Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a
husband tonight and to bear sons, 13 would you be willing
to wait for them to grow up? Would you restrain yourselves
from remarrying? No, my daughters, my life is much too
bitter for you to share, because the Lord’s hand has turned
against me.” 14 Again they wept loudly, and Orpah kissed her
mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Naomi said, “Look,
your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her
gods. Follow your sister-in-law.”
Naomi loved her daughters-in-law, but she wanted to make
sure they had their eyes fully opened to the truth. If they indeed
remained with her, they would be committing themselves not to a
life of ease and security, but to a life of poverty and need. They would
be choosing to walk beside her even though the road before them
would be filled with difficulty.
Given those realities, Naomi wanted them to count the cost.
Jesus also called us to count the cost. (See Luke 14:25-33.) In fact, it’s
the nature of the Christian life to give things up:
- Our preferences. We’re not to cling to what we prefer. Whether in church, in friendships, or in the home, we are dying daily to our preferences in favor of what is most needed by others, as Jesus did. (See Phil. 2:3-5.)
- Our rights. As followers of Christ, we’re to give up our claim on what we think we deserve. That’s because, as sinners, the only thing we truly and undeniably deserve is eternal punishment. Because of God’s grace toward us, we willingly turn the other cheek and stand with joy under suffering. We set aside whatever rights we once held dear for the sake of others.
- Our plans. In our arrogance, we often presume upon the will of God, make plans that suit us, and then we ask the Lord to bless what we want to do anyway. To follow Christ is to submit to His plans, not our own.
Orpah counted the cost as spelled out by Naomi, and she chose to
go home. Ruth heard the same speech from Naomi, but she stood
her ground. She truly was all-in.
Answering the call of commitment to Jesus means abandoning all
else in order to follow Him. The great irony of following Jesus is
that we end up with far more than we sacrifice. We find ourselves
confessing, as Peter did: “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the
words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
What characteristics
separate fair weather
friends from
relationships that
endure?
Ruth 1:16-17
16 But Ruth replied: “Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to
return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and
wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people,
and your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and
there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me, and do so
severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth counted the cost, too. She was willing to endure the hard times
before her, but she still had to put action behind those words. In these
verses we find three tangible commitments demonstrated through
Ruth’s actions—actions we can also carry out to demonstrate our
own commitment.
I will be present with you. Ruth pledged to Naomi that
wherever she went, Ruth would also go. And wherever
Naomi settled, Ruth would also settle. This was a pledge of
commitment to be present. It’s a pledge we can imitate—one
that means choosing to put your own agenda aside and truly
invest in the person God has put in front of you.
I will believe with you. Ruth wasn’t just making a
commitment to her mother-in-law; she was making a
commitment to the God of Israel. As Christians, we can come
alongside other Christians and support them in our shared
faith. We do this most simply—and most powerfully—when
we pray fervently with another believer.
I will press on with you. Ruth went so far as to say nothing
would end her commitment to Naomi but death. That’s
endurance, which is more spiritually important than we
sometimes think. For example, Paul exhorted Timothy, his
son in the faith, simply to keep going. To endure. Persevere.
Stay in the fight until the end. (See 2 Tim. 2:12.) And such
endurance is easier when we stand together. (See Eccl. 4:9-12.)
When the church cares practically for its own, supporting them when
they are too weak to support themselves, we show our commitment
to press on in faith together—to the very end.
How do the
elements of Ruth’s
commitment to
Naomi parallel our
commitment to
Christ?
What are specific
circumstances in
which we can honor
Christ by choosing
commitment over
convenience?
LIVE IT OUT
How will you demonstrate commitment to others this week?
Consider the following options:
- Write. Who has committed all-in to you and stuck with you through thick and thin? Take time to write that person a thank-you note for maintaining such steadfast commitment.
- Pray together. What’s one commitment you have been wavering on? Share that commitment with your group so they can pray with you.
- Express commitment. Think of one person to whom you’ve committed yourself. Make an appointment to meet with him or her to make sure there’s no doubt you are “all-in” committed to that relationship.
Commitment has mostly fallen out of style. It’s simply too hard—
and too inconvenient—to commit ourselves to a person, a church,
or even faith. But for Christians, this kind of all-in commitment is
more than an ideal; it’s part of who we are. It’s second nature.
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Teacher's Notes:
“For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
We’ve all sat through a wedding and heard those words spoken. Many of us have spoken those words ourselves. That kind of talk comes easy on wedding days when the sun is shining, everyone is beautiful, and the occasion is joyful. But we all know that the day comes when the circumstances change and that commitment is put to the test.
Marriage is just one form of commitment.
The Christian life is filled with other commitments—to our friends, to our church, or even a simple promise we make to someone else. We live in a world where talk is pretty cheap, but loyalty and faithfulness should be second nature to those who follow Jesus.
Do you think Commitment has fallen out of style? Is it simply too hard— and too inconvenient—to commit ourselves to a person, a church, or even our faith?
For Christians, this kind of commitment is more than an ideal; it’s part of who we are. It’s second nature.
Ruth: All In Commitment
I. God Blesses Those Who are Faithful to Their Commitments Ruth 1:8-10
8 Naomi said to them, “Each of you go back to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. 9 May the Lord grant each of you rest in the house of a new husband.” She kissed them, and they wept loudly. 10 They said to her, “We insist on returning with you to your people.”
The Book of Ruth is a ray of hope in an otherwise dark time for God’s people. It’s a story of faithfulness, commitment, and endurance, and it stands as a testimony that even in the worst of times, God is committed to preserving His people.
Ok, what is the story here? - Ruth’s story reads like a tragedy in the beginning. During the days of the judges, Elimelech and Naomi took their two sons to live in Moab, far away from their home in Bethlehem. Elimelech died sometime after, as did their two sons. That left Naomi and her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, alone and unsupported. Naomi could see a spark of hope by returning home to Bethlehem, but what about Orpah and Ruth? She thought they would have a better chance by returning to the homes they left when they married into Naomi’s family. This left Orpah and Ruth with a choice. Would they take the road of commitment to their mother-in-law, or would they choose the road of convenience? Who would blame them if they simply went home? After all, they’d already experienced more than their fair share of grief and hardship. Along those same lines, who would blame us for leaving a marriage? Or for leaving our church? Or for walking out on a friendship? Surely none of those relationships is without difficulty. We have ways of justifying to ourselves and to others why it’s best for all concerned if we simply walk away.
What is it about a person that inspires your loyalty to them?
- As disciples of Jesus, we need to remember that God’s faithfulness ultimately fuels our commitment to others. We can stay instead of leave. We can endure instead of abandon. We can persevere instead of run. (Keep in mind, we’re not referring to abusive relationships— those that are harmful or detrimental to us.)
We can do all this not because of our own willpower, but because we know our God stays, endures, and perseveres. He is committed to us!
Points:
1. Meaningful relationships are established through faithful commitments to one another.
2. As Christians, our commitments to others are to be a reflection of our commitment to the Lord.
People are attracted to others who are committed, not just in personal relationships, but in all types of relationships. Nobody wants to listen to someone with promises and hopes that may fall through, they want to listen to someone who has concrete plans to make things happen.
That’s why the most committed people are leaders. They are the ones that are committed to success and make the plans to follow through with that success. Other people naturally look up to them as a leader because their level of commitment is high and they are capable of making decisions and taking action to get the job done.
Moreover, leaders look towards committed followers for input and help. That’s why the boss will pick someone who appears committed to the company for an important task. This is something important to remember if you want a better job title or a raise! Commitment to your job and the success of the company is what will get you noticed.
3. God gives His blessing to those who are faithful to their commitments to others.
II. Godly Commitment Endures Hard Times Ruth 1:11-15
11 But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters. Go on, for I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me to have a husband tonight and to bear sons, 13 would you be willing to wait for them to grow up? Would you restrain yourselves from remarrying? No, my daughters, my life is much too bitter for you to share, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me.” 14 Again they wept loudly, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Follow your sister-in-law.”
Sometimes our commitments are challenged by well-meaning people with logical arguments.
- Naomi loved her daughters-in-law, she wanted to make sure they understood the truth. If they remained with her, they would commit to a life of poverty and need. They would be choosing to walk beside her even though the road would be filled with difficulty. Sometimes life’s harsh circumstances will test the depth of our commitments.
Naomi wanted them to count the cost.
Jesus wants us to count the cost too. (See Luke 14:25-33.)
How does Jesus call us to count the cost of following Him? In fact, it’s the nature of the Christian life to give things up:
- Our preferences. We’re not to cling to what we prefer. Whether in church, in friendships, or in the home, we are dying daily to our preferences in favor of what is most needed by others, as Jesus did. (See Phil. 2:3-5.)
- Our rights. As followers of Christ, we’re to give up our claim on what we think we deserve. Because, as sinners, the only thing we deserve is eternal punishment. Because of God’s grace, we willingly turn the other cheek and stand with joy under suffering. We set aside whatever rights we once held dear for the sake of others.
- Our plans. In our arrogance, we often presume upon the will of God, make plans that suit us, and then we ask the Lord to bless what we want to do anyway. To follow Christ is to submit to His plans, not our own.
Orpah counted the cost as spelled out by Naomi, and she chose to go home. Ruth heard the same speech from Naomi, but she stood her ground. She truly was all-in.
Points:
The troubles of life may lead to bitterness and to our questioning God until we are able to see the larger picture of how God can work even during difficult times. True commitment leads to a decision as to how that commitment will be expressed.
III. Godly Commitment is Demonstrated by Our Actions Ruth 1:16-17
16 But Ruth replied: “Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me, and do so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”
Ruth counted the cost, too. She was willing to endure the hard times before her, but she still had to put action behind those words. In these verses we find three tangible commitments demonstrated through Ruth’s actions—actions we can also carry out to demonstrate our own commitment.
1. I will be present with you. Ruth pledged to Naomi that wherever she went, Ruth would also go. And wherever Naomi settled, Ruth would also settle. This was a pledge of commitment to be present. It’s a pledge we can imitate—one that means choosing to put your own agenda aside and truly invest in the person God has put in front of you.
2. I will believe with you. Ruth wasn’t just making a commitment to her mother-in-law; she was making a commitment to the God of Israel. As Christians, we can come alongside other Christians and support them in our shared faith. We do this most simply—and most powerfully—when we pray fervently with another believer.
3. I will press on with you. Ruth went so far as to say nothing would end her commitment to Naomi but death. That’s endurance, which is more spiritually important than we sometimes think. For example, Paul exhorted Timothy, his son in the faith, simply to keep going. To endure. Persevere. Stay in the fight until the end. (See 2 Tim. 2:12.) And such endurance is easier when we stand together. (See Eccl. 4:9-12.)
When the church cares practically for its own, supporting them when they are too weak to support themselves, we show our commitment to press on in faith together—to the very end.
Points: True commitments do not look for ways of escape. Commitments are confirmed by actions that are consistent with the nature of the commitment.
Conclusion: Ruth’s loyalty certainly resulted in long-term good. In an unexpected way, God allowed Ruth to remarry and give birth to a son named Obed who became grandfather to King David. Despite Ruth’s status as a non-Israelite woman, God worked through her life to change many. Ruth serves as clear proof that God desires those from all backgrounds to follow Him and that He can work in our lives in important ways to influence the lives of many.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
