Why Most People Walk Away from Jesus (And Don’t Even Know It)

Jeffrey Johnson begins his message by inviting the congregation to turn to Ruth 1:6–18 as he continues the series on the gospel according to Ruth. Before diving into the passage, he reflects on the church’s upcoming 25th anniversary, marveling at how quickly time has passed and how abundantly God has blessed the church. Drawing a connection to 2 Chronicles and the story of Jehoshaphat, he recalls how the Lord fought the battle for Israel, turning their fear into overwhelming blessing—a metaphor Johnson uses to describe God's provision for the church over the years: “Our cup is overflowing.”

He transitions from personal gratitude to the text, focusing specifically on verses 14–18. In this moving scene, Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, clinging to her rather than returning to Moab like Orpah. Johnson uses this image as a powerful spiritual metaphor, asking: Are you kissing Christ, or clinging to Him? Like Ruth and Orpah, many people may weep, show emotion, and have affection for Christ, but only a few truly cling to Him with a total, lifelong commitment. He parallels this idea with the rich young ruler who approached Jesus, desiring eternal life, yet went away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up everything.

Johnson urges the congregation to examine whether they have fully surrendered to Christ or are still negotiating with God, offering only partial obedience. Ruth, by contrast, exemplifies full devotion—leaving behind her homeland, family, gods, and comforts to follow Naomi into an unknown land. Johnson emphasizes that to cling to Christ means to turn your back on everything else, to follow Him wherever He leads, to embrace all of Him, and to submit to Him completely as your God.

Throughout, he uses vivid personal and biblical illustrations: his father's unintentional idolatry of a relic collection, the story of Demas who abandoned Paul for love of the world, and young men he's counseled who walked away from obedience despite knowing the truth. He reminds the congregation that Christ doesn’t offer half-hearted discipleship—He demands everything, and in return offers everything.

The message crescendos with Ruth's declaration: “Where you die, I will die.” Johnson explains that true discipleship isn’t a temporary emotional decision—it’s a lifelong commitment. We must cling to Christ until death, not merely “kiss” Him in fleeting affection. He calls both the lost and the saved to examine their hearts: are they clinging to Christ with everything, or are they being pulled back to Moab?

Johnson ends with a pastoral plea for the kind of faith that, like Ruth’s, says to Jesus: “I’m not letting go.” He prays that God would grant this kind of whole-hearted repentance and enduring faith, giving Him all, and following Him in trust and joy until the end.