Dear Beloved, A PERTINENT QUESTION LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? (Psalm 15:1, NIV). In this part of the world going to church is now familiar. Churches are springing up because more people patronize them. However, are all people going to church really go there to worship God? Are they qualified to be in God’s presence? Is their worship acceptable to God? The psalmist did not only ask the same questions in Psalm 15 but gave eight qualifications to measure true worshippers. The first qualification is blamelessness (v.2a). In his/her living in this world, he/she should be without guilt. It is not that he/she would be sinless, but he/she will be above suspicion. Righteous living is the second qualification (v.2b). He/she would be righteous in whatever he/she does. The third qualification is truthfulness (v.2c). He/she would not be known for falsehood or half-truth, but be trusted for anything he/she says. The fourth qualification is goodness (v.3b). The person would be good to everyone around him/her. He/she would not do wrong things to other people. The fifth qualification is honoring those that fear God (v.4b). Such person would hold believers in high esteem, especially the faithful servants of God. Integrity is the sixth qualification (v.4b). He/she would keep his/her words even when it is difficult to do. His/her yes would be yes and no no. The seventh qualification is kindness (v.5a). He/she would be ready to help others willingly without thinking of any gain from such help. He/she would be compassionate and selfless. The eighth qualification is incorruptibility (v.5b). He/she would be so honest that he/she would not accept bribe or be involved in any corrupt practice. Slander is a vice that such person that would be in God’s presence should avoid (v.3). The person would not insult his/her fellow human being. Another word used for this vice in the same verse is “to slur” which can also mean to disgrace, to smear, to slight, etc. The psalmist concluded that any one who has all these qualifications will be established forever (v.5b). Jesus Christ sums it up this way, “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24, NIV). As you are reading this write-up, are you qualified to be in God’s presence? Are you qualified to be in God’s presence? What a pertinent question! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). _________________________ Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). +234 805 515 9591 http://www.afolabayo.org/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualdigest2003/ "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN" (Philippians 1:20-21, NIV). _________________________________________________ FindLaw - Free Case Law, Jobs, Library, Community http://www.FindLaw.com Get your FREE @JUSTICE.COM email! http://mail.Justice.com