Psalm 15

It's really easy to read this as a formula for how to live. "Check this off and you are 10% there!" And these are good things to seek- blameless, honest, not slamming others, honoring God.

But this is not a formula. This is not the "How to be a good Christian" equation. What it is is the hopes God has for what we can be. So then, what does it look like for us?

Blameless/Righteous: Doing nothing we should feel guilty for. There is a confidence that comes from this, knowing we are in the good will of God, because we haven't done something He detests. I know for me, a lot of stress comes when I know I did something wrong, and I'm waiting for the punishment. I'd love to be free of that.

Speaks the Truth: Honesty. Not just telling the truth when we have to, but not shielding others from the truth. Being honest with someone can hurt, but lying is always going to eventually hurt worse. Tell someone what you really feel. And the flip side- tell yourself the truth. Own your problems, don't deny they exist.

No Slander/No Wrong/No Slur: It seems the 'it' thing is to tear others down. We feel better when we feel we "are better" than someone. Our words to others can kill their spirit. I get we tell jokes about one another, but we need to be very careful to read the person's feelings. They usually aren't too hard to see. Know when it crosses the line from "good, clean fun" to you being a jerk.

Despise the Vile/Honor God: We know that God doesn't want us to hate people, but we also need to know that God doesn't want us to want their lifestyle. I see this verse as a compare and contrast: There is not enough room in your life to honor God and adore vile people. This DOES NOT mean we are not to love people, it means we cannot become dependent on them and have the type of friendships where we need them more than they need us. We need to befriend and love them, but if it ever keeps us from honoring God, we must walk away.

Keeps an Oath: This is why I don't trust people. Too often, I am told something will be done, or will be taken care of- then it isn't. I know I can be guilty of it myself, but we seem to have grown really callous about not following through on our commitments. We need to be better about just being honest and saying, "Yeah, I know you want me to do that, I'm just not going to be able to do it." Just be up front, and don't make a commitment you have no intention or motivation to keep.

Good Lenders/No Bribes: If you're willing to lend money to someone, don't be a jerk about it. It ruins friendships. If you can, lend without expectation of return. And don't ever let money sway you to turn a blind eye to injustice. Boiled down, this verse screams: don't be greedy.

I say this is not a formula, because apart from Christ, these things are impossible. It is with the coming of Christ that it finally become possible to live this way. And to finally see the fulfillment of:

LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?