Living A Good Life

Who may worship in Your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter Your presence on Your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking [and thinking] the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip [or slander] or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends [or neighbors].  Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts. Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.  Psalm 15:1-5.

Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm written by David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). This psalm confirms integrity and purity (see also Psalms 17:15; 18:20-26; 19:13-14) and parallels the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5). In this wisdom psalm, David teaches on the lifestyle of the godly and invites readers to examine their own lives in comparison to God’s standards. Only the godly will reside in God’s presence (see also Psalm 5:4). In God’s presence, everyone experiences His joy, hospitality and protection.

God calls all people to be moral.  Most important, our standards for moral living must come from God’s Holy Bible and not the evil world around us. The godly speaks and thinks truthfully and is loyal to their friends and neighbors.  In addition, the godly lends expecting nothing in return, including interests.

For other references where godly morals are summarized, see Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 24:3-6; Isaiah 33:14-16; Isaiah 56:1; Micah 6:8; Habakkuk 2:4; and Mark 12:29-31.  These Scripture passages summarize God’s standards. God saves us by faith in God (God the Father, God the Son – Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit) and by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). However, obeying God’s moral standards reveal the depth of our love and relationship with God.

So, let us ALL not only believe in God, but live godly!