Who Can Dwell With God?

Who Can Dwell With God?

Psalm 15:1-5

As Christians we have an amazing privilege. Because of Christ's work at Calvary, we have been granted access to the Father. After enduring the agony of the Cross "Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom." - Mark 15:37-38

When Jesus died, the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom. Up until this point only the High Priest was privileged to enter into this place. The veil being torn symbolizes the fact that all may now have access to the throne of Grace. There is no way to accurately articulate the awesome privilege that we have to be able to approach a Holy God.

In Psalm 15, David asks a very important two part question concerning who may approach God. He asks: "Who may abide in your sanctuary, Lord?"........."Who may dwell in your presence on your holy hill?" David's question speaks of a temporary situation and an eternal one. To "abide" is temporary. To "dwell" is permanent. Those who are saved are currently "abiding" in Christ...but we will "dwell" with Him throughout all of eternity! I would like to walk through this Psalm and examine the answer to David's question "Who Can Dwell With God?"

- There is no better place to start that the very beginning, so let's look to verse 1.

I. THE QUESTION - v1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

David possessed a great privilege in being God's chosen King of Israel, but it seems that he was somewhat envious of the Priests. With all of his power and authority, he was not permitted to enter into the Holy Place. This was a privilege that was reserved for the High Priest. David's question illustrates the desire of his heart.

Many people today are searching for answers, they are looking for direction, they are longing for peace and security concerning their eternal destination. Some hope to "live good enough" to make it to Heaven. They are trusting in their morality and good works to get them there. Others are trusting religion, rituals and ceremonies to secure their eternal life. If you are one who is searching for answers concerning eternity, I can assure you the answer is not religion, works or morality.

- But there is an answer to your question, and it is found in the answer to David's question. Look with me to verse 2:

II. THE ANSWER - v2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

David's question was essentially "who has access to God"? As God's children we have access to the Father, but not everyone has this access. Those who have never been saved may acknowledge God, they may believe in God, they may fear God (to a point), they may pray to God, but they do not have access to God.

If you seek to attain comfort, blessings and protection from God you must belong to God! Those who pray to the Father without surrendering to the Son, are wasting their time. It is only through Jesus that we are adopted into the family of God. Those who are saved are now the sons of God and joint heirs with Christ. If you have never surrendered to Christ you cannot claim the benefits of spiritual adoption.

I know without a doubt that if I ever need anything I can go to my earthly and ask him for help. Without fail, if the request is within his power and ability he will do all that he can to help me. If you go and ask him for help he may or may not be willing or able to meet your need. But I can claim certain privileges because I am his son.

The same is true concerning the Heavenly Father. In order for you to have full access to His Heavenly riches you must belong to Him. The good news for you is that you can be adopted into His family and receive full access to all that the Father has to offer! You can abide with Him now and dwell with Him forever!

So the simple answer to David's question of "who can dwell in God's Holy hill" is... only those who belong to Him. But you will notice that David's question goes a little deeper....He also asked "who shall abide in thy tabernacle?" The lost man cannot dwell in God's Holy Hill because they do not belong to Him. But many saved people constantly forfeit the opportunity to "draw near unto God".

Christ has secured our access to God, but many Christians have created a barrier that hinders that access. The barrier that I am referring to is called "sin". Sin hinders many important elements of a Christian's relationship with God. Sin hinders your walk with God, your work for God and your worship of God. The reality is, you cannot have a right relationship with your Heavenly Father when sin controls your life. In verse 2, David lays out some principles that we must observe in order to be in a right relationship with God.