The Whole Truth

We have to be ever so careful to not use God's word out of context. Over the years I have heard and may even myself, recited bits of scripture that roll off the tongue like they are cliches. The problem is that we often only memorize a small piece of scripture and forget about the supporting scriptures. Not only does this cause us not to understand the importance of the word, but it doesn't allow us to sow the reality of God's word. God's truth was never meant to be only given in part or to be watered down.

Many of us have read and heard this bit of scripture found in Psalm 15:1, "Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?" I am certain that many of you could fill in the piece of scripture that immediately follows; "He whose walk is blameless..." What beautiful scripture. It almost makes it seem easy.

It is the scriptures that follow the ... that really lay out what it means to have a blameless walk. It is these supporting scriptures that not only reveal the magnitude of this task but it presents us with a rather eye opening challenge.

The entire Psalm reads like this (liberty taken for bold capital lettering):
Psalm 15:1-5
Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
He whose WALK IS BLAMELESS
and WHO DOES WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS,
who SPEAKS TRUTH FROM HIS HEART
and has NO SLANDER ON HIS TONGUE
who DOES HIS NEIGHBOR NO WRONG
and CASTS NO SLUR ON HIS FELLOWMAN,
who DESPISES A VILE MAN
but HONORS THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD,
who KEEPS HIS OATH EVEN WHEN IT HURTS,
who LENDS MONEY WITHOUT USURY
and DOES NOT ACCEPT A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT.
He who does these things will never be shaken.

Keep walking blamelessly in all the above and you will never be shaken.