THE CHURCH OF THE CROSS
Men, we must make sure that both we and our families attend churches that embrace the cross.
Ruth, as a type of the bride of Christ, made a life commitment to follow the God of her mother-in-law. Naomi and Ruth had a commitment that contained great depth. Ruth was prepared to go with Naomi even if it meant great sacrifices or hardships. She saw something in her mother-in-law, even as she watched her face the losing of her husband and then her two sons.
Ruth had also lost her own Jewish husband along with Orpah, but Orpah’s decision to be committed to following Naomi back to Israel and the God of Israel was somewhat shallow and temporary. Yes, she wept at the parting, but the cost of following Naomi could mean more pain than she had already experienced. She was easily discouraged by the prospects of continued widowhood if she continued with Naomi.
Orpah seems to me to be the type of the uncommitted church who respects the things of God demonstrated through her mother-in-law, but the cost of leaving her own family, country, and friends was too much for her. Sadly, she went back to her family and their false gods and we hear no more about her.
She did not understand that with the God of Israel suffering may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Satan always tries to turn us away from the cross, but the cross of Christ is the only true doorway to freedom. Sad to say, much of the church today is not the church of the cross. Like Orpah, it may love certain aspects of the Bible. It always agrees with the blessings of the kingdom, but the cross is distasteful and unattractive to the Orpah church who still love to worship the idols of the world, especially if they offer more fun, the good life, and pleasing yourself.
Ruth did not want to ever hear one more word about returning to the old life. Ruth, like Moses, had a greater commitment: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.” Ruth, like Moses, chose to “suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ great riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Hebrews 11:25, 26).
Jesus will only marry a Ruth-type bride!
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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