Divine Requirements for Spiritual Citizenship

Title:                 Divine Requirements for Spiritual Citizenship

Scripture:  Psalm 15:1-5

Meditation Verse: 2 

" He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth."

-Context and Meaning

-Characteristics of Spiritual Citizenship

a. Walking Uprightly

b. Working Righteousness

c. Speaking truth

-Moral Obedience

-Preparation and blessings

- Spiritual Readiness/ Blessings

Reflection

Discipleship/ benediction

References:

Matthew Henry Commentary. Woman's Study Bible. Handfuls on Purpose Volume 3 series 7.

#Christianity

#Faith - Based

#Spiritual growth

#Yahweh's  Word

#Bread of Life

#Spiritual nourishment

#Food for the Soul

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Breakfast with Jesus, episode number 15, Divine Requirement for Spiritual Citizenship. Coming from Scripture, Psalm 51, verses 1 to 5. The meditation verse is verse 2. He who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speak the truth in his heart. O merciful and gracious God, I pray that you continue to bless this ministry. Speak to me, speak through me, to your audience, to your children. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. The fifteenth Psalm of David describe the qualities required for those who are considered fit for the heavenly kingdom. Historically, this psalm served as a temple entrance litany during key religious festivals, such as Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles. It begins by asking the fundamental question: Who may abide in the tabernacle and dwell on the holy hill? The tabernacle during the time of Moses was a portable sanctuary and a place of meeting. Later, the holy hill referred to the permanent temple of worship built during Solomon's reign. These sacred spaces symbolize fellowship, friendship, sanctuary, spiritual refreshment, and assurance of salvation. The central concern of the psalmist is who is qualified to dwell in these places. And verses chapter verses number two provide the answer of the characteristic of spiritual citizenship. The psalmist identified three essential standards: walking uprightly, working righteousness, and speaking the truth in one's heart. Walking uprightly with integrity and holiness. To be in the presence of Yahweh, the psalmist emphasizes the importance of walking uprightly and doing what is right in the sight of Yahweh. This means living with integrity, honesty, trustworthiness, and honor. It means walking circumspectly, which involves being careful and thoughtful in our actions. God desire that we walk before Him and strive for perfection, as expressed in Genesis chapter 17, verse 1. Jesus also set an example for us to follow, creating a pattern for religious, for righteous living and a model of holiness. Reference in 1 John chapter 2, verse 6. The psalmist further expresses that we must walk in God's ordinances and commandments, motivated by God's mercy and loving kindness. Yes, we are to do these things because of the mercy God has shown us, because of his loving kindness to us. And this is seen in Luke chapter 1, verse 6. The Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 23, and in Psalms chapter 26, verses 3 and 11. We must almost also work righteousness, having compassion and purity. Another essential characteristic is to work righteously, which means avoiding self-indulgence and refraining from wickedness. Refraining from wickedness. I repeat that again. It calls for consideration of others and rejects behavior like slander and gossip. You cannot be a slanderer and a gossip. True righteousness involves being a genuine friend, a genuine friend, and avoiding backstabbing. You know what people said they are their friends and they keep backstabbing you, they keep pushing the knife in. Yahweh sees a clean heart. As only the pure in heart will see God. That is God's word. Our righteous work should inspire others to glorify our heavenly Father. Whatever we do must be to the glory of God and to have other people glorify God and not for our own self-interest. Isaiah chapter 33 describes those who are worthy to dwell in God's high places as those who walk righteously, reject oppression and bribery, and avoid evil speech and actions. Such individual, the Bible says, will be blessed to see the king in his beauty. The third foundational quality is speaking truthfully, having transparency and devotion. This means being transparent and consistently walking in the truth of God's word. The psalmist warns against associating with vain persons, as noted in Psalm 26. Keeping one's word is essential. Our word must be our bond. We are called to speak out against injustices. When you see things that are happening that is wrong, you need to speak out against it. And we must avoid lying, we must not be liars. Our hearts should be fully devoted to God and show respect to those who honor the Lord Almighty. Brethren, true worship is not limited to outward action. It must encompass both internal and external service to the Lord. There's a moral obedience that we need to do. Everything must not be superficial and on the outside, showing off. Isaiah chapter 1, verse 16-20 teaches that Yahweh does not desire mere burnt offerings or empty rituals, but calls us to do good, seek justice, help the oppressed, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow, and reason with him. He said, Come, come, children. Let's reason together. He wants fellowship with us. He wants to communicate with us. A broken and a contrite heart, he will never despise. We are expected to display moral obedience because we are sanctified by the atoning blood of Jesus. Because we are heir of salvation. Because we are adopted into the household of faith. We need to have moral obedience. We have to have morality. As 1 King chapter 8, 61 reminds us, we should have a perfect heart that follows the statutes and the commandments of the Lord. For God looks at the heart of man. We are called to be holy as God is holy in both our conversation and in our lives. We are to reflect the character of the heavenly kingdom. Be thou holy as I am holy, he says. Moral obedience. Abiding in the household of God needs preparation and blessing. Preparation and blessing, verses two to five. The question arises in verse 1: Who is qualified to abide in the tabernacle of the household of God? And who can dwell in the heavenly kingdom? Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher of in England, emphasized that we, quote, we must undergo a preparation of heart and put on the wedding dress of righteousness. I love that. The wedding dress of righteousness found in Christ Jesus. Without this spiritual readiness, we have no right to sit at the banquet of communion. Close quotation. Therefore, in conclusion, as stated in verse 5b, it is clear, he who does these things shall never be moved. He who put on the wedding dress of righteousness and prepare your heart for God, for the word of God, will not be moved. What an assurance. Brothers and sisters in Christ, it is essential to put on the wedding dress of righteousness and maintain a blameless heart. Although salvation comes by grace through faith and not of works, least any man should boast. We are still called to work out our own salvation. We need to work out our own salvation. What does that mean? It means that we have to be in, we have to enjoy the ongoing sanctification to become more like Christ. And to be more like Christ, we need to be in prayer. We need to read the scriptures. We need to worship God in spirit and in truth. And we need to have a lifestyle change. We need to change our lifestyle. The things we used to do, we should do them no more. The things we used to say, we say them no more. The places we go, we don't go there no more. Work out our own salvation, brothers and sisters in Christ. The implication of the question is that not everyone will enter God's household or dwell in his presence or receive his blessing. It is clear who shall dwell in the secret place. Who to be prepared, we must follow the instruction laid out in verse 2 to 5. Mecca chapter 6, verse 8 reminds us that God has shown us that what is required, and what is required according to Mecca is to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with him, with him Jesus, with him God. No lying, no gossiping, no backsliding, no no gossiping, no slandering, and execute judgment and peace. And avoid imagining evil. Stop thinking evil. As a man thinketh, so is he. And have the love of false and having the love of falsehood in our heart. We cannot have false things in our heart. We need to put those things away. And if we do that, brothers and sisters in Christ, there's a blessing for obedience and spiritual stability. If we live according to these characteristics in chapter in verse 2 and 5 of Psalm 15, we will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bring forth fruit in due season. Psalm 1. We will be firmly rooted and grounded in stability and resilience, anchored in Jesus Christ, the solid rock. The solid rock on Christ. I stand. As born-again believers, justified and redeemed, nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Romans chapter 8, verse 38 and 39. We are called to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the word of the Lord, knowing that our labor is never in vain. First Corinthians 15, verse 58. We are citizens of Yahweh kingdom. We are citizens of Yahweh Kingdom if he follows the instructions given in verse 2 to 5 of Psalm 15. Reflection, children of Yahweh. Reflect on the qualities that are lacking within you and seek Yahweh's guidance to correct them. Remembering that he is the putter and we are the clay. Put your life into his hands and let him hold you into the person he wants you to be. Reflect on the qualities you possess and pray that Yahweh will help you to improve them so that you will be a light that draws others to him. Reflect on the qualities you possess. And if you struggle with slander and gossip, pray to Yahweh to help you to control your tongue. Discipleship. When you hear the word of God, pray that he will engrave it upon your heart and renew your mind. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Recognize that he died on Calvary Cross for your sins and minds. Confess and repent your sins to him and allow God's grace to transform your lives. Pray. Oh merciful and gracious God. I pray that you bless each and everyone that is within my voice, the sound of my voice. Transform them into the person you want them to be. Renew their minds and purify their hearts. Heal those who stand in need of healing. Protect those who need protection. Comfort those who need comforting. Strengthen those who need strengthening now and forever. And may the grace of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit rest and abide with us now and forevermore. Please be with me next Wednesday. Follow me on Sprout and Apple Podcasts at iHeart and Spotify. See you again. Go in God's peace in Jesus' name. Amen.