Do you know where the word “ruthless” comes from? The word “ruth” originally meant “compassion” or “pity,” especially toward the needy. To have “ruth” meant you grieved over the suffering of others. Therefore, to be “ruthless” means you go through life thinking only of yourself. You see the pain of others, and it doesn’t move you at all.
I know that on occasion we hurt people because they are so easily offended, it’s hard not to hurt them. But, let’s face it we also hurt people when we’re angry. We hurt them because we think they deserve to be treated that way. Sometimes we do it out of selfishness or pride. Sometimes we offend others without even thinking about it. And sometimes we are so insensitive we hurt people and don’t even know it. And tragically, we often do it to people we really love most. Parents hurt their kids, and kids hurt their parents. Friends hurt friends. Husbands hurt wives and wives hurt their husbands.
You are invited to join Dr. T. D. Worthington for this week’s edition of PathLight. His message is entitled “Ruthless Christians.”