True Christian Character

Scripture: Psalm 15 v 1 - 5: "A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 
2  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
3  He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 
4  In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
5  He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."


If every Christian took Psalm 15 and lived it out, true Christianity would flourish and sects would vanish. It would unite the Body of Christ in truth and righteousness.  These are the people of whom Jesus will say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into your rest."

Those are the ones who will dwell with Him in His holy hill. We cannot just say to ourselves or others: We are Christians! No, we have to live by every Word written by God in our Holy Bible. We have to put some effort into our walk with Jesus. 

If we don't comply with His standards and do His will, our prayers will sit on the shelf until we figure out that its not Jesus delaying answers, its our fault. If we are engaged in backbiting, slander, gossip or any other sins of the tongue like lies, deceit, fraud, then we are not righteous before God. Our prayers on the shelf will gather dust until we repent or change our thinking and attitude. 

We need to speak the truth that is in our hearts. We can be sowers of seeds to those we connect with on social media or in person. One little seed planted by sharing the love of Jesus can bring forth an orchard of fruit trees. Jesus seeks out the fruitful and they dwell in His tabernacle. 

Matthew 7 v 15 - 20: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit!  If you are in a church where the pastor is having an affair with a member of his congregation,  everything coming across the pulpit is corrupt.  If the pastors are using the tithes of the members to have a luxurious lifestyle, instead of uplifting the poor, these are wolves in sheep's clothing.  By their fruits, how they portray their Christian character, they will be known.

True Christians keep their promises even if it becomes a burden to do so.  They would rather suffer themselves than let others down. God holds us to it and if we underperform we proceed no further until we rectify our mistakes. God has a long memory and things you let slide long ago are still on His to do list. 

Usury is when you have a high return on your investments but are taking reward against the innocent. Its called greed. Its not going to get the dust off your shelved prayers anytime soon. And prayer is what keeps your relationship with Jesus flourishing. Lack of prayer causes it to diminish.  

Micah 6 v 8: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"

When we see pride, arrogance, selfishness, and injustice amongst those who call themselves Christian, we know they are carnal and walking in the flesh.  In other words they deceive themselves.

These are not sins that are covered by His Blood and forgiven. These things are the standards Jesus has set to show that He is in control of our lives.  Whether His will is respected or we are still doing our old rebellious thing. Its never too late to make the adjustments and see Him respond with swift answers and renewed vitality in our relationship with Him. 


Prayer: Father God, You gave it all when You sent Jesus to Earth! Jesus gave it all when He was here! The Holy Spirit has given us everything to learn, know, experience and rejoice about for eternity. It remains for us to give our all so the world can be shaken out of lethargy to have it all too. The alternative is unthinkable. Thanks Lord God Almighty for gifts, talents and blessings received and used to Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.