Psalm 15:1-5 – “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; 4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;  5 He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.” NKJV

My title is possibly confusing so let me state at the outset that Christianity is impossible IF we attempt to live it in our own human strength.  It is hard even when we are strengthened by the power and Grace of God but impossible if we attempt to live it by willpower and human strength.

Consider the question of the Psalmist.  His inquiry was who could live in God’s presence and could be acceptable to God.  A question each of us has or should have.  “Lord, what do you require and what do I need to ABIDE in your tabernacle and DWELL in your holy hill?”  If we want to maintain a permanent residence in His presence we need to know what is necessary and if there are things that will ensure our steadfastness we need to discover them, right?  Therefore, let’s walk through this in a limited manner.  He asked the question and the answer from the Lord is as follows:

• Walk uprightly, work righteousness, and speak the truth.

(On the surface that may not sound difficult but think back to the number of occasions you felt compelled to taint the truth, take the path of least resistance, and engage in behavior or act that was not completely upright.) 

• No backbiting (gossip, etc.), no mistreating or taking advantage of others, and resisting the temptation to reproach a friend or anyone.
• Despise evil but always honor the upright.

(That almost sounds contradictory to the New Testament’s directive of loving our neighbor but if you recall the apostle Paul warned to not even give Godspeed to those who promote heresy and hypocrisy.  While God is no respecter of persons He most assuredly takes note of the heart and so should we.)

• Keeps His Word (Swears to his own hurt and does not change).

(Your word is to be your bond in all things and at all times even if you come out on the short end of the stick, so to speak.)

• Never make excessive demands on others based on what you do for them and never allow money, power, or influence to cause you to be moved against the innocent.

A most amazing statement is in the final sentence, “He who does these things shall never be moved.”  WOW!  But, even if we in our best pious mindset and self-righteous assertion insist and believe we fulfill all those with ease, if we honestly examine them in the far-reaching aspect they present we will find that without the Grace of God we fail. 

Therefore, I am making a new commitment of my life to the Lord and asking that He grant me the grace and strength to be a person so described in this Psalm and thereby become so rock-solid in my commitment and faith though all hell assail me heaven’s grace will not fail me and I will present a life in which others see less of me and more of Jesus!

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!