Although the religious world seems determined to minimize the essentiality of a Christian living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age (Titus 2:12), God’s word remains unchanged. Genuine fellowship with the Holy God requires the following virtues:
- Righteousness. “He who walks uprightly and works righteousness” (Psalm 15:2).
- Truthfulness. “He who…speaks the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2).
- Purity of speech. “He who does not backbite with his tongue nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend” (Psalm 15:3).
- Abhorrence of evil. “In whose eyes a vile person is despised” (Psalm 15:4).
- Delight in good. “he honors those who fear the Lord” (Psalm 15:4).
- Integrity. “He who swears to his own hurt and does not change…nor does he take a bribe against the innocent” (Psalm 15:4-5).
- Fidelity to God’s commands. “He who does not put out his money at usury” (Psalm 15:5).
The person who does these things shall abide in the Lord’s presence and dwell with Him in unbroken, enduring fellowship.
