Actions>Words
Notes
Transcript
Ruth 2:8-23
Ruth 2:8-23
What are actions? Merriam-Webster defines an action as a thing done (deed), the accomplishment of a thing, or behavior or conduct. For some of us, our actions when it comes to being a Christian are vanity at best. What do I mean, you ask?
Ruth put herself last when it came to serving her mother-in-law. She went to glean after workers so they could have food. Her actions were louder than her words. The entire community knew what she had done, and the one God was sending the redeemer. We can learn three qualities of Ruth in action.
First, even the most prominent people will hear when actions speak louder than words. The second quality of action is that people do it with a never-give-up attitude. The last quality of action is that they love others more than themselves.
Loud Actions:
Loud Actions:
Ruth’s actions were so loud that a prominent man heard what she had done. I remember two of my drill sergeants; they spoke loudly, but their actions spoke louder. They never missed an opportunity to teach us when we made a mistake. Now, sometimes the method was severe, but the point was loud. They led boys into men. They served us even though we did not understand they were serving us at the time. Ruth’s service was not in vain; her actions would lead to her redeemer. Verse eleven tells us what her actions brought this man to notice. Everything she had done had come to fruition.
Jesus’ words in Mark 10:43-45 speak about this servant attitude. Serving is an action that shows our work and who Christ is in our lives. James talks about faith without works is a dead faith; James 2:18-26
“But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Actions speak louder and lead us to the next quality, a never-give-up attitude.
Never-Give-Up:
Never-Give-Up:
Ruth had every right to sit in her sorrow. She, too, had the grief of losing her husband. But she kept moving. She got up and went to work trusting in the Lord’s provisions. Can we say we do this? IT is hard to get up and move when we are facing grief. She was not posting pictures of a vanity life on social media. She was not putting on a facade of her perfect life, but we see her strength in the Lord in her tiredness/weakness.
Paul discussed this in Philippians 4:13 while sitting in prison waiting for his execution. This action spoke loudly to those who were preaching the Gospel, giving them courage. Ruth’s action encourages us today. This quality leads us to the last quality of Actions, which is loving others.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Love:
Love:
Ruth’s actions brought love to Naomi. She gleaned all day, treaded out the grain to take it home to Naomi. Her love for her mother-in-law spoke louder than her words. It is easy to love those who love us and show us love. But we are commanded to love those who hate us. Some of the qualities of love are: covers all things, Proverbs 10:12; love is willing to lay down your life, John 15:13; edifies 1 Corinthians 8:1; serves one another, Galatians 5:13; is from God, 1 John 4:16.
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all transgressions.
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
How do we love? When we are tired, are we loving as we are commanded? Do we justify why we don’t love someone? If we are truly disciples of Christ and want to learn from Ruth, we need this quality to resonate through our lives.
