LIVING OUT THE LIFE OF FAITH

Text: Psalms 15

Psalm 15 is so fascinating because of its unique inquiry. It seeks to know the mind of God on higher level. Often we read psalms that bring tears to the eyes due to the way they emphasize human wickedness, human frailties and  insufficiency. Many of the psalms focus on asking God for needs while some are a cry for help. All are good though and worthy to seek God's face for. However, this very Psalm looks up in worship, awe and reverence. It exalts God by regarding his tent, and tabernacle as holy and set apart.  Hence the psalmist asks in verse one, "who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may ascend your holy hill? David by this question sets God higher than mere mortal and regards him as one whose abode is infinitely special that not just anyone can carelessly or casually walk into His presence.

Verses 2-5 shows the kind of person worthy to appear before God and ascend his holy hill. No man can claim such perfection except Jesus. He is the fulfilment of all the laws and the prophets. He is the one who satisfied God's holy demands for righteousness and holy. He was the one condemned for no reason but never backbites. He made a promise to his own hurt to die for mankind and never   reneged on it. He gives liberally without asking for interest. He is the way the truth and the life. Jesus is this perfect man described in psalm 15 who has the right to ascend God's throne. Nothing anyone could do on their own could make them worthy. Only the lamb that was slain is worthy to ascend the throne and open the scroll. Nevertheless, there is good news. The death Jesus died in our place sanctifies us and makes us the righteousness of God. All of us who have come under the washing of his fountain have been made pure and worthy to ascend God's holy hill and worship. For his broken body is the curtain that was thorn from top to bottom to remove the barrier and cause us to enter boldly into this throne of Grace. 

Having being washed therefore, we are to keep renewing our minds and continue to conform to the very image of this invisible son of God who took our place and paid the penalty of death. This is the very preoccupation of all who have been justified through faith in Christ. We are not made clean by our good works but by our faith in the finished work of  Christ on the cross. Hence, this Faith must be made alive, and active by our continuous display of good works. Lying, backbiting, bickering, hatred, being tight fisted and  breaking of vows are vices that must not be mentioned among us. We have been called onto the above life let us therefore live it out, says Colossians  3:1-2 "since you have been raised with Christ set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated...for you died and your life is now hidden with Christ in God".