YOUR VIRTUE WILL BE REVEALED TO OTHERS – Ruth 3:11
Tuesday, January 2nd, 2007Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Ruth had just obeyed her mother-in-law by going to the threshing floor by night to let Boaz know that she was willing for him to do his duty as the next of kin. Boaz was willing to perform the duties of the next of kin even though Ruth was a foreigner because he had seen Ruth demonstrate the inward character of virtue. Boaz not only had seen Ruth’s virtue but he knew that the community also had recognized Ruth as a woman of virtue. Boaz knew that where Ruth was from was not the most important ingredient to a good marriage but the content of her heart is what he needed to examine.
It does not matter what your height, your size, your nationality, your wealth or your mental capacity is. What matters is the status of your heart. You can be a giant or a midget but if your heart is not in the right place, you are just another sinner in need of God’s redemptive work. You can hide the condition of your heart for just so long, but eventually, the fruit of your hands will reveal to the world the condition of your heart.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth does speak. If you are a person of character, then the world will naturally see that you are different based upon how you interact with others. Boaz recognized in Ruth that she had demonstrated the quality of virtue. However, more importantly, Boaz knew that Ruth’s virtue was such that the community saw and appreciated her virtue. Boaz could receive much ridicule for marrying a foreign woman, but because of Ruth’s virtue, he understood that the community would bless such a relationship because Ruth was not like every other foreigner but had a good heart.
While you may not be looking to be married, you should be looking to make an impact on the world you live in today. The purpose of your life is to glorify God. You live on this earth so that you can draw mankind’s attention to your Maker and Creator. If you do not demonstrate to the world that you are called by a higher calling, then you are just like everyone else around you and your testimony is weak.
You must live your life so that God and others see that the condition of your heart and mind is upon the things of God. Because you live a life that is pleasing to HIM, HE is able to bless you in ways that you never could imagine. Just as Ruth a complete stranger was able to see God’s provision in her life for food and later a husband, so too God can provide for your needs if you are willing to trust HIM and put HIM first in your life.
You can try to hide your Christianity by becoming a closet Christian. You can avoid talking about spiritual things while out in the world so as to ensure that you do not bring up any controversial subject. You can immerse yourself in the world’s music, language and dress so that the world never suspects that you are different. However, you are not to be of this world, you are to be a light.
When you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, you have a duty to obey HIM and do what HE has said. One instruction given to you is to add to your faith virtue. Your life should be so full of virtue that the world sees you and understands that you are different. The world should recognize that your mind and heart are right with God.