The Blessed Man of Psalm 1

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! … For the LORD knows the way of the righteous… (Psalm 1:1; 6a)

Have you ever wondered why Jesus said He would tell the “many” on Judgment Day who claimed to know Him and did so many things for Him that “I never knew you; depart from Me…”? (Matthew 7:21-23) How could He not know them when they called Him “Lord, Lord…” and expended so much effort on His behalf?

Look at the citation above from Psalm 1. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous. Not everyone who calls Jesus “Lord” and engages in ministry is righteous (in His eyes and by His standards). How can this be?

When you think about the religious leadership in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, it’s not that hard to figure out. Many people (then and now) play religious games with God.

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1).

The people of Matthew 7:21-23 were warned in advance that they would lose their heavenly reward if they didn’t reorient their motives. They chose/choose to ignore Him. The desire for praise and status in the church is subtle (usually) but devastating. People are literally willing to barter their souls for their peers’ admiration and approval.

But how does someone who calls Jesus “Lord” choose the accolades of man over the expressed will of God? It’s a process. Again, look above at Psalm 1. We see what the “blessed” man doesn’t do. Now turn it around. The person who ends up on the wrong side of Jesus’ judgment walks in the counsel of the wicked, stands in the path of sinners, and sits in the seat of scoffers.

Now, don’t assume that the wicked, the sinners, and the scoffers are “them” and “over there.” They are mixed in with all of us. In our churches (I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them [Acts 20:29-30]). In our culture and even our own homes (holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses [2 Timothy 3:5-6]).

There is a lot of nonsense parading itself around as godliness. It was happening when the first Psalm was written, when the Word became flesh two thousand years ago, and still today. The “blessed” man of Psalm 1 sees it for what it is and rejects it. And it is really important to pay attention to how the psalmist says he does it.

There is a progression of accommodation that we are being warned about. Walking, standing, and finally sitting. The blessed man doesn’t get comfortable with sin. He doesn’t listen to it. He won’t walk with it. He refuses to join in with others speaking about it. And he’s blessed for it.

We all seem to know that it is not the task of the believer to beat unrepentant sinners with the Bible. But what many of us don’t seem to realize is that it is also not our task to make unrepentant sinners feel okay about their sin(s).

Obviously, in God’s eyes we are all sinners (Romans 3:23). But also, just as obviously, there are two kinds of sinners: repentant and unrepentant. The repentant sinner can love, pray for, and share his faith with the unrepentant sinner, but he won’t get comfortable with sin; his own or anyone else’s. That’s why God blesses him.

Two things are true at the same time for Christians. First, we are to be holy (1 Peter 1:15). Second, we are to make disciples out of sinners (the Great Commission). You cannot make a disciple by disregarding holiness (see Matthew 23:15). We are neither helping unrepentant sinners nor ourselves (repentant sinners) by accommodating sin.

It is important to listen to people to understand why they believe their sinful behavior is acceptable. But it is equally important to advocate why your own beliefs (based on “the law of the LORD” Psalm 1:2) will not allow you to walk with them in their sin.

Someone once said that a fool isn’t looking for a fool to follow. I think that means that we only follow those whom we believe will lead us into a better future. Unrepentant sinners know we are compromising our integrity just to make them feel better about themselves when we accommodate their sin. That might result in an offer to stand and sit with them, but it will not result in a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The “scoffer” needs to know why he should get out of his seat, not why he should continue to relax in it.

The world, and those who embrace it, demands your acquiescence and ultimately your approval. Walk in the counsel of the wicked … stand in the path of sinners … sit in the seat of scoffers. Doing so will risk everything. Instead, let your delight be in the law of the Lord rather than the comforting words of the world.

Walk away. Stand out. Sit apart. The only words of approval you need to hear are these:

Well done, good and faithful slave (Matthew 25:21).

Be blessed!

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