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— A brief exposition of Psalm 15 —

“He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart,” Psalm 15:2.

This second verse sets out to answer the question posed in  verse 1.

The answer is continued in the rest of the Psalm but verse 2 deals with it in a positive manner. It tells us in an affirmative way what marks the character of the one who ABIDES and DWELLS in God’s presence.

I. THE HOLY PERSON HAS A PARTICULAR WALK.

“He that walketh uprightly. . .”

1. Every step that the Christian takes is markedly different from that of the world. As Paul exhorted: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” Romans 12:2.

The Christian cannot but be “in the world” but they are not “of the world”.

That concept simply means that in the world we actively participate in the legitimate activities of its everyday affairs; living a normal life, and engaging with others, including those who may not share the same beliefs or values.

But there must be a maintaining of a separation from the world’s sinful influences and values. These are so often associated with materialism, greed, and worldly pursuits which dominate business affairs and must be constantly guarded against. We must not be governed by worldly standards or judgments. The unregenerate person will rarely hesitate to act unlawfully or dishonestly, at least to some measure, in order to gain profit! The excuse that is often offered is , ‘Sure, everyone does it!’.

That may be so but the Christian MUST NOT do it. (more…)

THE FOLLOWING NEWS ITEM APPEARED IN ‘THE BELFAST TELEGRAPH’ OF FRIDAY 2ND MAY.

Evangelical Presbyterian Church hits out at Belfast pilot scheme extending Sunday trading hours

What I noted with despair and disappointment is that there is no mention of the desecration of the day ordained of God as a day termed in this New Testament era, as the ‘Day of the Lord’!

John the Apostle wrote from the island of his exiled sufferings for the cause of the Saviour.

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” Revelation 1:9-10.

It was an essential part of the Ten Commandments that one day in seven be observed reverently.

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it,” Exodus 20:8-11.

The Lord ‘hallowed’, or made holy, the seventh day in the Old Testament era, as a commemoration of the finishing of His six-day work of creation. In this New Testament age, we find Christians gathering on the first day of the week, in commemoration of another ‘finished work’ — that of the Saviour’s work of redemption as was indicated by His rising from the dead on the first day of the week.

This became the ‘Christian Sabbath’ or rest day, with the same reverence shown to it and observed by believers as was commanded of God for the Sabbath Day of the Ten Commandments.

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight,” Acts 20:7. (more…)