Jump Start # 1285

Psalms 15:1-2 “O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

  Our passage today both asks and answers a question. The question is about dwelling with God. Who can dwell with God? Initially, we’d think anyone can, because we are all God’s children. God loves and God wants to be surrounded by all of His children. But that’s not the answer that is given. The answer is based upon the Holy character of God. Not everyone may dwell in God’s tent.

The one who walks with integrity, works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart—that’s the one who is allowed to dwell with God. With God on His holy hill. With God in His tent.

Righteous, integrity and truth—carry the theme of honesty, character and doing and being “right.” Those three items seem to have dropped off most people’s radar anymore. The news is buzzing about Brian Williams not being truthful about being shot down with American troops. His reputation and trust has taken a huge hit, but he only reflects what is going on in our times. Dishonest government officials, from local offices to the Federal offices, padded resumes, seem to be so common anymore that it doesn’t shock us. Integrity is old fashioned and not useful for most people today. It shows.

Decency is another item that seemed to have been tossed to the side of the road. This week, the Fifty Shades, movie opens in most theatres. It’s been dubbed, “Mommy porn.” The book and now the movie, just a few years ago, would have been considered back alley trash. Now it’s mainstream, main street and accepted. There will be tons flocking to it without realizing it will distort, twist and abuse their thinking about intimacy. Award programs, like the Grammy’s, are a display of immodesty and decency gone out the window. One wonders why some folks even bother putting on clothes any more.

All around us we are witnessing the falling character in society. This affects young people. This affects couples. This affects marriages. This affects what some define as good and right. Now more than ever, is the time for God’s people to remember integrity, righteousness and truth. We can’t stop the leaking of society. But one by one, we can continue to be people of character.

Our young people need to be told the truth. What they hear in school and on the street is raw and in your face. They need real answers to their real questions. They don’t need the same rehearsed answers from the last generation. Open, honest, Biblical is what needs to be taught. They need Bible class teachers who are capable of doing such. They need to see that the Bible still works today. They need to see how the Bible fits today. They need to see the good that comes from walking with God. They need to grasp integrity, righteousness and truth.

Our sermons need to be about what is going on today. Years ago, I heard the analogy that a preacher needs a newspaper in one hand and the Bible in the other hand. How especially true that is today. Many sermons are fighting dead beasts that are no longer a threat to us. Relevant. Practical. Challenging. Hopeful. Real. That’s where we are living and that’s what we need. We need character building. We need to know how to develop integrity, righteousness and truth in our lives.

But these three, integrity, righteousness and truth, belong and begin first in the home. This is where the lessons are first taught. This is where the lessons are first applied. This is where the foundations are built and where the examples are seen. Integrity. Righteousness. Truth. In our conversations. In our finances. In our work. In our play. In our free time. In our worship. In our devotions. Character is what you are. This is why Peter said, “Be holy.” There is a difference from being holy and doing holy stuff. The one who does holy stuff some times doesn’t do holy stuff. There are moments when he turns off and puts down the holy things. But the other one has “Become.” He is holy. He is holy from the core. His actions come from the heart. It is who he is. It’s in his spiritual DNA. He thinks holy because he is holy. He makes holy choices because he is holy. He has, as Peter said, “be holy,” or simply, become holy.

Character—it’s who you are, all the time. The world may be falling apart, but you are not. The world may be sinking deeper and deeper in trouble with God, but you are not. The world has given up on integrity, righteousness and truth. But you have not. And some day, you will stand on God’s holy hill because of who you are and the choices that you have made.

Integrity, righteousness and truth—this is the trinity of your character. This defines and determines all that you are and all that you do. Spend time developing integrity, righteousness and truth. Surround yourself with others who esteem these qualities. Guard these. Strengthen these. Use these.

The holy hill of God awaits you.

Roger