“He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart...” Psalm 15:2
This week we are working through Psalm 15, which teaches us the characteristics of those who can come into God’s presence. As we learned yesterday, only those without sin, or those whose sin has been covered by the blood of Jesus Christ, can come into God’s presence. When we become a Christian, there is a fundamental change that happens inside us. We receive a new nature, a nature that desires to please God. These, then, are the characteristics of that new nature.
Firstly, they are blameless. This doesn’t mean that Christians are sinless, but it means they are without blame. Their sin has been totally forgiven. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).
Secondly, they are righteous. This means they are right in God’s sight. This isn’t a righteousness that comes from us doing good works, but it is the righteousness of Christ, which clothes us. We now have right standing before God. “But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Rom. 3:21-22).
Finally, they speak the truth. Have you noticed that when you tell a lie, there is a pang in your spirit? That’s the Holy Spirit convicting you that what you are doing is wrong. Lying is one of Satan’s characteristics: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Lying is one of the things that God says He hates (Prov. 6:16-19). We are to be people of honesty and integrity. We are not to lie about things, situations, or people. We are not to exaggerate or bend the truth to fit our side of the story.
Has your sin been forgiven by the blood of Christ? Are you standing in His righteousness? Do you speak the truth from your heart?
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