Most people want to live better lives.  If you go to any bookstore, there are many self-help books with advice on how to improve as a wife, husband, parent or employee. The first step in Alcoholics Anonymous is to admit you are powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable. 

The Psalmist surveyed humankind and concluded everyone’s hearts are morally corrupt leading to evil deeds. No one is righteous or good. All have forsaken God and become unfruitful (Psalm 14:1-3). None have the wisdom, skill or expertise to be successful in God’s eyes. 

We see evidence of apostasy all around us. People in our culture are not seeking or calling upon God. Unfortunately, the church often operates like the world by not fearing God. As a result, we experience anxiety and dread instead of peace and contentment. Is there any hope? Will we remain stuck in our addictions? Can we escape the rut of disappointment and experience freedom and joy? The answer is YES! God is with the righteous generation because they make Him their refuge (Psalm 14:4-6). Aid, deliverance and victory comes to the distressed. Our fortunes will be restored (Psalm 14:7). The first key is to trust God and not ourselves. None of us have the power in ourselves to overcome addictions or sin. 

Like Noah we observed in earlier posts, God is with the righteous generation but against the wicked like Achan (Gen. 6; Josh. 7). What are the character qualities of a righteous generation? The next Psalm answers that question. 

Before a person can become righteous, he has to acknowledge his utter spiritual bankruptcy described in Psalm 14. Like a person in AA, we are powerless to live righteously. Who can walk with integrity, live righteousness and speak truth in his heart? (Psalm 15:1-2). In other words, how do you know if you are a stable, faithful and trustworthy person in doing the right thing? The following character qualities illustrate a righteous person (Psalm 15:3-5)
1. Allows no slander to come from his lips
2. Commits no evil toward another person
3. Holds no grudge and does not blame others
4. Honors the good and despises evil
5. Keeps promises even when it costs
6. Refuses to take advantage of others for financial gain

First, acknowledge that no good dwells in you. If you haven’t placed your faith in Christ’s death and resurrection for your sins, transfer trust in yourself and place it completely upon Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. This restores your relationship with God.

For those who have a personal relationship with God, meditate on the truth that apart from Christ who can do nothing before you can abide in Christ (John 15:5-7). Ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit to live out the new life expressed in Psalm 15.


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