I joined the line inside the bank and waited to talk with the teller. Within minutes it was my turn, and the teller asked if I was a “privileged customer” of the bank. It dawned on me at that moment that I was in the wrong line. Soon I was standing at the back of a long line of regular customers. I simply lacked the credentials to get priority service.
What “credentials” has God provided for us? The psalmist wrote, “Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1). According to David, only the blameless and the righteous are qualified to come into God’s presence. The righteousness given to us by Christ enables us to worship our great God well!
David wrote that “those who are not holy will not see the LORD” (Hebrews 12:14). So he described what a holy person looks like in his works and words: The godly person is one who does what is right and speaks truthfully and honestly (Psalm 15:2). He is sincere, open, and transparent. The righteous person doesn’t slander, discredit, or harm his neighbors or friends (Psalm 15:3). He also honors those who fear God, and he keeps his promises even if it isn’t advantageous for him to do so (Psalm 15:4). Not taking advantage of others, the godly person acts justly and fairly. And He is not only qualified but also privileged to stand before God, to worship Him, and to enjoy fellowship in His presence forever! (Psalm 15:5). We can’t do any of these things on our own—God alone by the work of the Holy Spirit provides what we need to radiate His ways and grace.
You may not experience every privilege on earth, but in Christ we experience the joy and privilege of being made holy in God’s sight!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 6:1-38
More:
According to Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:12-13, and Hebrews 4:14-16, what qualifies us to enjoy the privilege of coming into God’s holy presence?
Next:
Of the various descriptions of the godly worshiper (Psalm 15:2-5), what characteristics describe you best? How can you live a more holy life in Jesus?
Gary Shultz on April 15, 2015 at 6:25 am
To stand where you speak of, righteous before God, in His favor and fellowship is truly a humbling thing. The only action we have in the whole affair is to keep opening ourselves to what God gives. From the gift of salvation the growing and maintaining of this privilege comes from what He offers. Oh, how He loves you and me.
Tom Felten on April 15, 2015 at 9:18 am
Good thoughts, KT. The basis of our salvation is that we are saved by His grace through faith, and an outcome of our becoming a new creation in Him is the new-creational works of justice and shalom that the Holy Spirit prompts us to perform. What a privilege it is to be found in Christ and to reflect His grace to others!
Winn Collier on April 27, 2015 at 12:30 pm
I like the idea that in the New World, everyone will be in the same bank line : )