Characteristic #1 of REAL Worshippers Motivated by Love is Integrity

Scripture: Ruth 4:1-4

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there, and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz spoke was passing by, so he said, “Turn aside, friend, sit down here.” And he turned aside and sat down.  He took ten men of the elders of the city and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.  Then he said to the closest relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the land of Moab, has to sell the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech.  “So I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy it before those who are sitting here, and before the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it; but if not, tell me that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeem it, and I am after you.’ ” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

Insights: This week we will look at three primary characteristics of REAL worshippers motivated by love.  Today we will examine the first characteristic and it is integrity.  Integrity does two things for us.  Firstly, integrity shows we trust God.  Notice from today’s verses Boaz was willing to risk losing Ruth in order to do things correctly.  He went to the city gate, which was the location of legal actions, and assembled the elders in order to be witnesses at this business deal.  He then gathered the man with whom he desired to do business.  The third thing Boaz did was present the situation to this closer kinsman-redeemer.  Finally, he waited and risked Ruth for the man’s response.  Secondly, integrity keeps us from hypocrisy.  In other words, we live and act the way we believe.  If we are hypocritical, then our words do not match our actions.  Boaz, however, knew there was a closer kinsman-redeemer.  Instead of eloping with Ruth and causing a family feud, Boaz did the honorable thing and his actions gave proof to his words.  He did not avoid the proper channels, but acted in a forthright and honorable manner.  I fear our world is full of people who do not live a life of integrity.  They are not dependent on the Lord and as a result their words do not match their actions.  Beloved, let our lives be characterized by integrity.  Let us worship the Lord through our actions which display our trust in Him.  May our lives bring Him glory as we radiate consistency and grace.

Questions:

1. Does your life exhibit trust in the Lord?
2. Do your words match your actions?

Prayer: Father, I desire to live a life of integrity which proves my trust in You.  May I not be duplicitous in nature, but always the same in my private life and my public life.  Amen