As we reach the fruit of faithfulness in the Fruits of the Spirit summer series, I want to present three characteristics of faithfulness and point us to the book of the Bible that overflows with faithfulness that fueled a future nation.
To exhibit faithfulness, consider these three hallmarks:
Say it, show it - We both proclaim and demonstrate our faithfulness to others.
Sacrificial choices - Part of that demonstration involves making sacrificial choices to serve others.
Take an active interest - We become a student of the preferences of others when we are faithful. We know their likes and dislikes because we are interested in them, we listen, and we observe.
I call the Book of Ruth "the book of faithfulness." The actions of Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi, and her future husband Boaz signify how faithfulness works. Because of their faithfulness, Ruth and Boaz's family blessed many, many others, as they eventually became great-grandparents of David, the greatest king over God's people.
In classes, I have walked through most of the Book of Ruth to illustrate these three characteristics of faithfulness. Parts of this book are hard to understand because they include subtle cultural signals that we don't understand without interpretation. For this post, I will take the most famous and straightforward section of the book to highlight faithfulness.
Look for the three hallmarks as we excerpt from Ruth 1, verses 6, 11, and 15-17 (NIV):
6 When Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.
11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands?
14 At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
15 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”
Let's search this passage for faithfulness traits.
Say it, show it - Ruth proclaims her everlasting faithfulness to Naomi and follows through to travel with Naomi.
Sacrificial choices - Naomi determines to release her daughter-in-law support system. However, Ruth equals her sacrifice by giving up her homeland and her best chance for remarriage by following Naomi.
Take an active interest - Again, Naomi has her daughters-in-law's best interests at heart. Ruth, on the other hand, knows about Naomi's heritage, beliefs, and homeland, enabling her to make an informed decision to remain faithful.
I propose that we think about our relationships, starting at home and branching out. Perhaps also think about relationships with our church or Bible study group. How do we clearly say and show our faithfulness? How do we make sacrifice faithfully for the benefit of others? How do we engage and take an active interest in them?
Through all of these questions, we keep in mind the nudging of the Holy Spirit that brings us to faithfulness. We can become faithful because God is first faithful toward us.
LOVE CONNECTION: In the documentary "1946," documenter Sharon Roggio finds herself on the opposite side from her pastor father, Sal, regarding Biblical interpretation of homosexuality. Their bitter dispute caused them to go years without speaking, yet Sharon and Sal reunited. We see the clear affection and love they have for each other as they are faithful to the relationship despite their differences of opinion. When we are faithful to the ones we love, we don't destroy relationships. We prioritize relationships over principles. We can disagree and still love.
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