“Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells. Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers. Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes. But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy. Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.”
Psalms 26:1-12 NLT
It has always impressed me how David is sure of his own righteousness. This isn’t a surety of quantity. He doesn’t think that he never sins or that he is perfect. He doesn’t think that he is owed God’s grace or that he has attained his righteousness. Instead he thinks that he is by nature righteous. It is a righteousness of quality. He is convinced that he is on the “spectrum of righteousness,” if there is such a thing. He believes that he is a righteous creature. When he speaks to God about this, he offers evidence of his intent rather than his execution. He asks God to recognize his alignment. This truth is best shown in his own repentance. There are many Christians who claim God’s righteousness as a reward rather than a gift. They believe themselves to have attained it. David teaches us to see it as a quality of being. Salvation, in this vain, opens the door for the righteous to be righteous, not just in quality but also in quantity. Those who believe they can have righteousness without being a righteous person often prove the opposite. For these people, salvation becomes a curse. They will use their salvation to enhance the amount of wickedness they can pour into their daily living and repentance is simply a farce.
JOSH McGARY.COM 