Lesson from Ruth

I've been studying the book of Ruth this summer with a study guide by Kelly Minter and some friends from church. (Kelly does great studies - even includes recipes!) The overarching theme of the study is that Boaz redeeming Ruth is a representation of how Jesus redeems us.

What I came across this week was a concept I had not considered before. Boaz announces at the city gates in front of the elders and many townspeople that he will marry Ruth the Moabitess widow. He is completely unashamed and quite delighted by this.

So I just realized that Jesus redeems me knowing full well that I would be considered unworthy, unattractive, and beneath notice of anyone else; yet He is not ashamed - in fact He is delighted!

It never occurred to me that Jesus might actually look directly at my sin and shame, my unworthiness, even announce it, and be delighted to take me in, to cover me with His protection, to bless me. I hadn't really thought of it before, but somehow assumed that He redeemed me with a different attitude. I guess I thought He just secretly stepped in out of duty and honor, cleaned me up, and then presented me as His, shaking His head when I stray and trying to ignore my shortcomings - maybe growing to love me eventually. I don't know, it sounds dumb when I put it into words.

I know (the Bible says!) He loves me. And yet so often I behave as if I don't really know that. So which is it? Does He love me or not? He does. Do I believe it? I'm working on that part.

Grace isn't fair

People seem to need religion -Like it's an anchor for morality, a reason to do what we all know is the right thing. What really makes Christianity different? I think it's grace. All other religions require "correct" behavior to appease God. Christianity doesn't require correct behavior. Christianity encourages correct behavior that is motivated out of love. We don't and can't earn God's acceptance. He's given it to us freely. We just have to accept His gift. The challenge then is to share it with others who don't deserve it anymore than we do. Our failure is when we start judging others instead of loving them. It's really hard -maybe so hard that we can only do it with God's help. As my husband often says, "I know Christ died for MY sins, but I'm having a hard time believing He died for YOUR sins." Our society is based on fairness and God's grace is not fair. No one deserves it. But it's available for anyone. This is something I can get intellectually, but I really struggle to live as if I believe it. So to those to whom I've been less than gracious, I apologize. Maybe someday, with God's help, I'll get it.