College Entrance or Kingdom Dwelling?

Scripture:

Psalm 15 (Amplified Bible)

15 O Lord, who may lodge [as a guest] in Your tent?

Who may dwell [continually] on Your holy hill?

2 He who walks with integrity and strength of character, and works righteousness,

And speaks and holds truth in his heart.

3 He does not slander with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 In his eyes an evil person is despised,

But he honors those who fear the Lord [and obediently worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder].

He keeps his word even to his own disadvantage and does not change it [for his own benefit];

5 He does not put out his money at interest [to a fellow Israelite],

And does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.

Observation:

Me: "Who has a place under your roof, God? Who is fit to bathe in your waters? Who is worthy to dine at the table you set, wait upon and dine at?"

God: "He who walks with integrity and strength of character, and works righteousness, and speaks and holds truth in his heart ..."

Me: "So, there's lots of space then?"

Jesus: "Ahem. Let's just say there's room "for you".

Application:

My first reaction to scripture passages like this one is always a profound sense of unworthiness. If that's the table-stakes to get in the game of Kingdom living, who can possibly buy-in?

Today the Spirit leads me to the difference between access to the kingdom of God and the ability to abide/remain/stay/dwell/participate in it. What if God is willing to grant access to the bath and the table to all? What if God becomes so truly and fully alive in us through the sacraments of baptism and eucharist that are lives can't help but thrive and bear fruit?

What if, "...walking with integrity, and strength of character, and works righteousness ..." 

is not an entrance requirement for the Kingdom of God, 

but the inevitable result of putting down roots where God lives, works and plays?

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I want to abide in You. Thank You for showing me that is only possible because You choose to abide in me. Receive any fruit I bear as an offering, an acknowledgement of all you have first given so freely. Serve this humble fruit as you see fit, to bless and feed Your world. Amen.