Ruth 1:14 KJV
And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.
I see in this passage a contrast that has happened to me over and over during the years of ministry. There have been some who have clung to me. They have become fast friends who have both benefitted and been beneficial to the ministry God has placed me in. They are there in good times and bad. They are there when they agree and even when they disagree.
On the other hand, there have been numbers who have departed, some who were angry for sure but more who left pretending to still be friends. They have kissed me on the cheek as it were while they packed their bags to abandon what we have been called to do
- One family urged me not to feel uncomfortable when we saw each other at various fellowship meetings
- Another family announced to the church that there were zero problems between us as they said goodbye and moved their membership to another local church
- Still, another family wrote an open letter proclaiming how the only thing that would make their new membership at the church just blocks away from ours was if I and the pastor of their new church were co-pastors together. They zealously wrote that, should that happen, they would be on the front pew "amening" the both of us as we preached
They "kissed me" but then they forsook me.
Now all of this is to be expected I suppose. I am far from perfect and could never perfectly pastor any person. But this contrast is also apparent in people's responses to Jesus. I see some who love the Lord with all of their heart and soul and mind and cleave to Him regardless of pain and loss. I see others who claim to believe and love God but live in total disobedience to Him and His Word. They kiss Him on the cheek as they betray Him for the world.
A simple kiss is no substitute for truly cleaving to the Lord.
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