Nation's Decline in Moral Conduct X

Articles

Ross Triplett
08/09/20 - Articles

Nation’s Decline in Moral Conduct X

Psalm 15: “Jehovah, who shall sojourn in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?”

The characteristics we have considered thus far dealt with the actions of the individual. The third positive characteristic draws attention to how another’s conduct is viewed, i.e., “In whose eyes a reprobate is despised.”

A reprobate is defined as “not standing the test, rejected.” When the Apostle Paul wrote to Titus, he spoke of unruly men, vain talkers and deceivers as “being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (1:10, 16). If they are put to the test in regard to any good work, they can only be rejected: their moral sense is perverted and their senseless hearts are darkened, as Paul stated in Romans 1:21.

To despise is to “disesteem, or, to make of no account.” Those who would sojourn in the tabernacle of Jehovah, or dwell in God’s holy hill, will have a definite attitude toward those who are an abomination to God. For, in the text, such a one will not sojourn in God’s tabernacle.

Such being stated, who are these that are of a reprobate mind? The Apostle Paul answered that question, when he said, “And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful: who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them” (Romans 1:28-32).

Although viewing the conduct and characteristics of opposing conduct is essential, there is that of which the godly should not forget: “Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate” (2 Corinthians 13:5). ret