16. Ruth Deciding For God.

And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Ruth 1:16

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 thee." 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 (Heb. 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. "Thy 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 thy commandment" (Ps. 119:38).

4. His instructor. "Teach me thy way, O Lord" (Ps. 28:2).

5. His trust and stay. See Ruth 2:12. "This God is our God for ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death" (Ps. 48:14).

IV. BUT IT SHOULD INVOLVE THE CHOICE OF HIS PEOPLE. "Thy 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 whither 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?