Humility (As Seen in Ruth)

Sola gratia - "By grace alone"

There are many examples of humility seen throughout the Bible. Often times, these examples are almost in direct opposition of the majority of public leaders we see today. Humility is often scoffed and laughed at as we all shoot for our 15 minutes of fame that we believe we're entitled to.

When it comes to entitlement, too often this sentiment is held even by Christians, who also claim that everything comes from the gracious hand of the Lord. There's simply no real way to reconcile these ideas. Are we entitled? Or, do we receive all things gratefully from our Provider?

Sadly, entitlement bleeds into salvation. We, as a people, think that we're entitled to heaven. Post-modern thought pushes us to think that everyone, regardless of faith, "deserves" to spend eternity in paradise. Many Christians take weak stances on the supremacy of Christ in hopes that they won't be seen as politically incorrect. We like to think that God would never do anything to upset us, his creation. We deserve the Lord's love.

Yet, in Ruth, we see an example of great humility:

"Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him, "Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner?" (Ruth 2v.10)

Ruth knew that she didn't "deserve" Boaz's favor. Yet, Boaz knew of her and her love of her mother-in-law, and had mercy on her by showing her grace. Ruth was humbled greatly by this showing of grace.

May we who worship Christ Jesus be humbled in our hearts and not fall into the sin of thinking that we are somehow entitled to God's love and mercy. It is only by his grace that we are able to come to him in worship. Grace alone - it has nothing to do with our works or inner goodness that the Lord has called us to worship. Let us be broken of thinking that we're somehow greater than we actually are.

Christ the Shepherd, Our Model

Solus Christus. By Christ, alone.

In Zecheriah 10v.2b, we read this - "...the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd."

In this particular passage, the prophet Zecheriah is talking about false teachers and idols. These teachers and false gods lead people to empty consolation, or, false security.

How many, in this day and age, are puffed up with the hot air of a false security. They believe in their own abilities. They trust in their temporal gods and strongholds. They hope in a future of more of the passing things they devour. And how quickly are all of these things fading! When our faith is found in the temporal, we are the sheep who are afflicted.

But we have such great hope! Christ alone is the Good Shepherd. We, the sheep, are led by such a gracious Savior, overseeing each and every member of the flock. Pulling us out of the briars, prodding us along towards greener pastures (sometimes through dark valleys), and lifting us out of the pitfalls along the way. And how, in our lives and our sanctification as Believers, we are looking more and more like him!

Believers are called to emulate Christ in overseeing those wandering sheep. Sheep who are constantly afflicted... we get to act as shepherds in the lives of many. And it is only through Christ that, when we get to play the role of shepherd in some small way, we magnify what he has already done. To his glory! What a wonderful Savior!