Character Matters

Ruth 2:10-12  Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly.  “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked.  “I am only a foreigner.”  “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied.  “But I also know about the love and kindness you have shown your mother-in-law since the death of your husband.  I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers.  May the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully.”

Character matters.  People noticed how Ruth lived her life, how devoted she was to Naomi and how she took care of her.  They noticed how she left her old life behind and followed Naomi back to Judah to her family and her God.  They noticed how hard working she was.  They noticed how she kept herself pure since the death of her husband.  Ruth made and impact on those who knew her and got to know her.  Ruth lived in humility and it mattered to those around her.  “I am only a foreigner.”  “I don’t deserve this life I am living.”  “I am so blessed and grateful for it.”  Humility and gratitude are garments every believer should be wearing.

Regardless of your lot in life, character matters.  How you live in the circumstances you are in matters a lot to both God and man.  How you live reflects on your faith in God.  People often associate your living with their understanding of the God you profess to belong to.  If you are living a godly life, then people will know that what you say about God is true.  If you live a different life than what you talk about, then they will question the truthfulness of what you say.  Character matters.  You don’t have to make a lot of noise when talking about your faith.  Your actions are what people listen to the most. 

If you are not living what you are professing, no one is listening to what you are saying.