Believing in Jesus
Many people are not sure if they are saved and on their way to heaven. They do not understand the truth of John 1:12; “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Belief, Biblical faith, goes beyond simple acknowledgement. It is not enough to recite a creed, walk an aisle or respond to an invitation. While all these are good in themselves, true faith is more than that. This is illustrated by a Bible story.
In Ruth 1 we are introduced to a Jewish family that moves to Moab, the country “next door” to Israel, when there is a drought in Judah. The 2 sons marry Moabite girls during their stay. Tragedy engulfs this family; first the father then both sons die in this foreign land. Naomi, the mom, is left a destitute widow with 2 loving daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem because she has a home and extended family there. As she prepares to leave, Orpah and Ruth make plans to go with her. Naomi dissuades them with warnings of her own hopelessness encouraging them to remain in Moab. Orpah considers and stays.
Ruth insists on going with Naomi. Naomi replies that Orpah has returned to “her people and unto her gods.” (v. 15) Ruth answers in verse 17 “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee… thy people shall be my people Ruth and Naomiand thy God, my God. (v. 17) Where thou diest will I die… the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part me and thee.” With this solemn oath Ruth begins a new life in a strange land among strange people with a “new” God, the Lord, Jehovah, of Israel.
Ruth’s faith is rewarded with a better life. She goes on to marry Boaz, a relative of Naomi. She becomes the great grandmother of King David and part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. Orpah’s acknowledgements only left her with her old people, her old gods, and an unchanged life. Ruth’s commitment of faith changed everything. When you exercise this kind of faith in Christ you will know you are saved. I John. 5:13; “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”