This post is inspired by Psalm 15 from the Holy Bible.
Psalm 15 is one of the 150 psalms of David whom the scripture describes as a Man after God's Heart. It starts with a question, Who may enter you temple? who may worship on Zion, your sacred Hill? (Good News Bible). Another translation renders the same scripture as "Lord who shall abide in your tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy Holy Hill? (KJV Bible). This question is very important to a child of God, seeking God's face and presence. Indeed which mortal can claim to have full right and access to the presence of God?
The Psalmist answers this question in this chapter clearly spelling out the qualifying attributes of any man who will indeed enter God's presence and receive from the Father.
The first attribute for a man to dwell in God's presence is to obey God in everything and always do what is right ensuring your words are true and sincere(verse 2). A man must satisfy this condition to have access to God's presence. In the book of psalm 25 verse 14, the scripture clearly expresses that "The Lord is a friend of those who obey Him and He affirms His covenant with them". Do you fear God? Do you obey and keep His commandments? Do you tell lies and speak falsehood?
The next attribute is a continuation of the first, regarding your speech towards other persons. Do you speak slanderous statements against other persons? Do your words minister grace and wisdom to people around you? or Do you speak against neighbours behind their backs? Your speech and utterances are to be edifying at all times even as Apostle Paul admonished the church at colosse in Colossians chapter 4 verse 6 saying "Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man"(King James Bible). It is therefore paramount for us as children of God to carefully watch what we say especially about others. Before saying anything to anyone, it may help to ask yourself and sincerely answer these three questions "Is it the truth?, Is it loving? and Is it profitable to the hearer?. If what you are about to say does not pass that test then it is better left unsaid. We as children of God are to glorify God in everything including our speech and utterances. The second part of psalm 15 verse 3 addresses rumour mongering and wrongdoing against friends and neighbours. Do you spread rumours? Stop it! it robs you of the privilege of standing in God's presence. Desist from wrongdoing and every form of evil because God's eyes cannot behold sin and His judgements on evildoers are not meant for His children(see Psalm 37 verse 9).
The third attribute a person acceptable to God must possess and practice is to avoid persons that have no respect unto God but to associate with persons who honour God in their speech and conduct. Psalm 1 verse 1-2 stresses the blessings of a man who does not walk in the way of sinners nor sit in the seat of the scornful but delights in the Laws of God. So also as children of God we should not be close friends to persons who disobey God's commandments. Also you are to ensure that you keep promises you make to others and without fail keep those made to God.
The final attribute is shown in the last verse of chapter 15(verse 5), David admonishes children of God not to charge interest on loans given out to others especially other Christians (see Deuteronomy 23 verse 19-20). In the book of Deuteronomy 23:19-20, there is a blessing from God given to those who do not charge interest on loans they give to other persons. The second part of this verse talks about being bribed to testify against the innocent. A child of God must not take or give bribes and should not for any reason or material gain testify against an innocent person. God is a just God and He Himself will punish any person who falsely testifies against an innocent person.
In conclusion, David says that anyone who does all these things shall never be shaken (or moved). The righteous man is one who is upright in deed, word, attitude, and finances. God’s standards must be met if we are to dwell
with him in eternity. Our life must conform to our profession. It is important not only for us to
know God’s will but also to do it (James 1:22-25). Those who trust and obey are secure in the
love of God (Romans 8:35-39).
Sources:The Spirit of God,King James Version Bible, Good News Bible, English Standard Version Bible, New International Version Bible Whom Does God accept by mark mayberry, John Wesley's Explanatory Notes.
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