If You Had Died for the Sins of the World How Would You Feel?

• When men took your name in vain?
• When men damaged their bodies dabbling in sin instead of glorifying you as their savior in their bodies?
• When men fussed and got angry among themselves in which you had established and thus brought reproach upon you?
• When men chose to go somewhere else on the day which you had set aside for men to worship you?
• When men refused to obey what you said they had to do to gain the benefit of your death?
• When men did not appreciate your sacrifice enough to stay for the supper you had left as a memorial of it?
• When men did not respect you enough to wear your name?
• When men did not care whether their conduct caused anyone else to stumble?

Did you ever stop to think? The Son of God probably would think the same as you would about such thoughtless people.

Author Unknown

A Young Woman's Choice

Ruth 1:16-17  

Introduction 

Driven by a famine from their native land, Elimelech and Naomi and their two sons came to the land of Moab and there continued. Soon Elimelech died, leaving Naomi and the two sons. The sons became married to women of Moab, Orpah and Ruth. It came to pass that the young men also died, leaving Naomi and the daughters-in-law alone. 

When she learned that God had given rain to her native Judah, Naomi decided to return. Then it was that she entreated each of the young women to return to her mother’s house. Their hearts were touched. They lifted up their voice and wept. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and departed. But, Ruth clave unto her. In words of unusual beauty and pathos, she gave expression to a great choice. Let us describe it.  

I.  A Personal Choice. No person persuaded her to make it. No relative had set the example. Of her own accord she made it. Reminding us that the religion of Christ is a religion of the individual--

• In the choice to be made (Matthew 16:24; Revelation 22:17). 
• In the duties to be done (Acts 2:38; Romans 15:1, 2; Philippians 2:12).
• In the rich rewards to be enjoyed (Revelation 22:12). 

II.  A Determined Choice. She did not allow the example of Orpah or the entreaty of Naomi to change her (Ruth 1:14, 15). Her steadfastness silenced the entreaty of Naomi (Ruth 1:18). Like great Paul, “none of these things moved” her (Acts 20:24).

III. A Comprehensive Choice. It involved a number of relationships, namely: 

• A new country. Naomi had reminded her that she was going to the land of Judah—to Ruth a strange land. To this Ruth replied, “Whither thou goest, I will go” (cf. Luke 14:33). 
• A new home. Naomi had said, “Return each of you to her mother’s house.” To this Ruth replied, “Where thou lodgest, I will lodge.” 
• New associates. Naomi had said, “Thy sister has gone back to her people.” Ruth replied, “Thy people shall be my people.” 
• A new religion. Naomi had reminded her that she was going to worship the God of Israel. Ruth replied, “Thy God shall be my God” (cf. Matthew 1:5). The choice of Christ involves new relationships (II Corinthians 5:17; I Thessalonians 1:9-10). 

IV. A Choice of Youth. When Boaz met her, he asked, “Whose damsel (girl or maiden) is this?” he called her “daughter” (Ruth 2:5-8). While life was plastic and pliable, she remembered her Creator. Early devotion is likely to be eminent and permanent devotion. How very happy and useful becomes life when we begin to serve God in youth! (Ecclesiastes 12:1). 

V. A Choice for All Time (Ruth 1:17). Thought made in a moment, it was made for all time. She did not make the choice for experiment. Having put her “hand to the plow,” she determined never to turn back (Luke 9:61-62).

Conclusion 

In the moral and spiritual realm, we are confronted with two antagonistic forces—good and evil. We cannot choose both, serve both! (Matthew 6:24; 12:30). A choice is inevitable. By failing to choose the good, we choose the evil (Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 30:19b).

-via The Minister’s Monthly (September 1971)

“When Your Hands Are Tied”

One of the most difficult, perplexing, and heartrending situations is when one must sit back and watch others make decisions the results of which will create more problems than the decision-makers ever thought. In fact, what compounds the problem is when one knows that those making the decisions think that their choice is the solution to a legitimate problem or problems. 

There is a further compounding of the problem when the decision-makers have been taught correctly and yet to no benefit concerning the decisions they make. In circumstances of this nature, some persons are moved to ask, what can we do to help the situation? The answer many times is: At this point there is nothing anyone can do that has not been done. 

To volunteer information to those who could have asked such of you but did not is folly. Under such circumstances people simply open themselves up to all manner of unwarranted charges and accusations. People need to learn where their responsibility begins and ends in trying to help others. Thus, under such circumstances and insofar as being able to help, honest folks must finally conclude that their hands are tied. 

God’s hands were tied regarding Adam and Eve’s decision to sin. God had informed them as to what was right and wrong and told them of the consequences if they chose to sin. Their choice and its blessings or consequences was theirs alone to make (Genesis 3). Such has been the case with God and man to the present and will continue for all time. What else could or can God do? (Romans 1:21-32; 3:23; Revelation 22:17). 

Parent’s hands are tied regarding their children’s decisions. Besides setting a Christian example before their children, godly parents have the responsibility of teaching, training, and disciplining them (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). Some children, while still in the home, will appreciate none of this and decide to go their own way. In such situations when all is said and done if children are rebellious enough, there comes the time when there is nothing that parents can do to change the rebellious child. Remember, after others have done all that they can do, change is effected by the person who needs to change (Joshua 24:15; Acts 2:40; 8:22; II Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:5). 

As a faithful member of the Lord’s church many times one’s hands are tied regarding the various decisions other church members make insofar as changing said members (II Timothy 4:10; Revelation 2:21-25). Even when such decisions will have a detrimental impact on the whole church, there comes the time when the faithful child of God must conclude that at least at this juncture there is nothing else that can be done to alter the matter (Hosea 4:17; III John 9); especially is this true regarding false teachers. Some brethren just will not be warned. 

Finally, when all is said and done, the faithful children of God can and must act to protect themselves and other faithful brethren from the consequences of wrong decisions made by others (Joshua 9:1-21). What else could or can a faithful child of God do? “I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contraryto the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). 

David P. Brown