DOCTRINE. A true believer can be identified by their walking in integrity before the Lord; if they have integrity, they live an unshakeable life enjoying and glorifying God.

A person with integrity, who shows evidence of their faith,

I. SPEAKS THE TRUTH NOT ONLY WITH THEIR MOUTH BUT IN THEIR HEART (Ps. 15:2b).

II. DOES NOT SPEAK GOSSIP OR SLANDER (Ps. 15:3a).

III. DOES NO HARM TO THEIR NEIGHBOR (Ps. 15:3b).

IV. DOES NOT LISTEN TO GOSSIP OR SLANDER (Ps. 15:3c).

V. DESPISES THOSE WHO DESPISE THE LORD (Ps. 15:4a).

VI. HONORS THOSE WHO HONOR THE LORD (Ps. 15:4b).

VII. KEEPS THEIR WORD, EVEN IF IT COSTS THEM GREATLY (Ps. 15:4c).

VIII. DOES NOT USE THE POOR, BUT RATHER HELPS THEM (Ps. 15:5a).

IX. DOES NOT PERVERT JUSTICE BY TAKING A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT, BUT RATHER DEFENDS THEM (Ps. 15:5b).

APPLICATION

I) EXAMINATION. Christian, are you a man or woman of integrity? What sins do you need to confess to God even now and look again to Christ for forgiveness? May the Spirit convict you of sin, grant you repentance, and assure you of pardon through Christ’s blood.

II) DIRECTION. Here is a great list of things to put into practice so you can best glorify and enjoy God.

III) COMFORT. Use Psalm 15 to see how excellent your Redeemer is. You and I have not lived up to this perfect standard of love to God and neighbor, but O there is one who has. Christ Jesus, the righteous one, obeyed Psalm 15 perfectly so that you who trust in Him would have that perfect righteousness credited to your account.

Not only did Christ perfectly achieve the righteousness believers need in order to stand before God, He also “swore to His own hurt and did not change.” Christ Jesus swore that He would receive a people for Himself, and He kept His word even when it cost Him crucifixion. Christ died in your place, Christian, because He received that charge from His Father and He swore to uphold our end of the Covenant. “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:18). You who feel such guilt for your sins, look to Christ crucified in faith and have that burden fall off your back and roll into a tomb. You who feel such depression and anxieties because of the pressures and cares of this world, look to Christ crucified in faith and see His great love for a wretched person like you. Let His costly love melt away your fears.

Christ not only died in your place, believer, He has also sworn to both keep and glorify you. “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:39). You who are suffering or sorrowful, look at Christ swearing that he will lose nothing that His Father has given Him. You cannot drown in your affliction while Christ is resolved to keep your head above the waters. You saints who are sick or diseased, look at Christ swearing to His Father that He will raise you up on the last day. You cannot out-sin the cross and you cannot out-die resurrection.

“[Christ] swears to his own hurt and does not change” (Psalm 15:4c). Let that be an anchor to you in calm waters and in great storms.

Meditate on Psalm 15, beloved. Use the truths for Examination, Direction, and Comfort if you belong to Christ. If you do not yet belong to Him yet, what are you waiting for? Look to Him and live.