Friday, April 15, 2016

Characteristics of God’s People

Psalm 15:1-5)

A Psalm of David.

“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1)

David starts out by asking what kind of people going to live in God’s Holy Kingdom.  This is important because the scripture is quite definite that people who indulge in certain lifestyles will not be there.  I Corinthians 6:9-10 is very specific. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 

Revelation 21:27 describes the characteristics of those who will not be allowed.  “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” 

The only ones who enter are those whose names are written in the book of life.   David goes on to describe some of the characteristics of those who are written in the Book of Life.  They are the results of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. 

 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” (Psalm 15:2)

The first characteristic of those who will be going to heaven is that they do what is right as matter of course, n0t putting on a show to fool people.   They don’t lie to themselves or to other people about who they are.   

“He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” (Psalm 15:3)

People who are going to heaven do not take pleasure in seeing others suffer or run down their accomplishments to make themselves look better.  They don’t gossip or try to destroy other people emotionally. 
“In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” (Psalm 15:4)

A person who is truly a Christian cannot just ignore evil, but must point out the wrong avoiding association with those who are involved.  He admires those who do what is right, and will keep his word, even though it costs a lot and he might be excused for not doing it.   

“He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:5)

Finally the man that pleases God is not wrapped up in making money, charging interest when he loans out money or seeking the maximum profit .  He doesn’t accept bribes ofr bonuses for convincing people to pay more or buying something more expensive.    

A Person who has these characteristics will not turn away from God to get caught up in sin.  Galatians 5:16 tells us, “…Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”  I John 3:4-10 explains in more detail.  “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.  Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.


Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.  In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

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