Introduction: Christians have argued with each other for thousands of years about how to be a Christian. That's why we have so many different denominations. But there are basic truths with which all Christians should agree. I think David raises some of those basic truths here in Psalm 26. How should Christians live?

I. Christians should live with INTEGRITY (26:1-2).

"Vindicate me (Judge me) O LORD; for I have walked in my integrity: and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering; Examine me, O Lord, and try me. Test my mind and my heart." (NASB is better than NIV)

God spoke to King Solomon:

1 Ki 9:4 "As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws,
1 Ki 9:5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever...

God praised Job to Satan, because of Job's integrity:

Job 2:3 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason."

Prov 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Paul wrote to Titus, a young pastor:

Titus 2:7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness
Titus 2:8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned,

Integrity means: goodness, honesty, dependability, faithfulness, righteousness and holiness of life. Jesus said that we should be salt in this world. But if the salt loses its saltiness, it is not good for anything. A Christian with integrity can't help but taste salty. How are we doing in the integrity department?

Does integrity make us feel "holier than thou?" I hope not! See the next point:

II. Christians must always depend on God's love and mercy (26:3a, 26:11:b). There is no room for self-righteousness. We know that we don't deserve to be saved. We trust in God's mercy. If we have any integrity, we must thank God for giving it to us.

"Your love is ever before me...redeem me and be merciful to me."

The Bible often tells us of God's merciful love for His children:

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

"Neither height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)" (Ephesians 2:4-5).

"Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour" (Ephesians 5:2).

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (I John 3:1).

We can and must depend on His merciful love every day. He gave His Son to die for our sins on the cross. He has given us mercy and grace. As Jeremiah wrote, His mercies are new every morning.

III. Christians should use good judgment about whom they worship with. There are two verses about "judging" that need to be taken together:

Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye be not judged." and...

John 7:24 "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

We must not have a self-righteous attitude, being blind to our own sins, and very conscious of the sins of others. On the other hand, we must not be naive PollyAnnas, refusing to label a wicked person wicked, when that is exactly what he is. This requires Christian maturity.

A. David says that he is not going to assemble for worship with the wicked...

Psa 26:4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
Psa 26:5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon in his "Treasury of David" wrote of these verses...(read quote)

Paul likewise admonished the Corinthian Christians to quit worshipping in the temples of the false Gods of the Greeks and Romans:

2 Cor 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
2 Cor 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
2 Cor 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
2 Cor 6:17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."

It was a temptation in King David's time to tolerate the idols of the surrounding nations. David's son Solomon had 1000 wives and concubines, and they corrupted him to build temples for their false gods. In Paul's time, it was a temptation for the recently converted Gentile Christians to continue worshipping in the city temples, as well as attending Christian worship. Paul and David say you can't do both! Let us beware of worshipping together with those who approve of immorality, or with those who openly deny the Lordship of Jesus.

IV. The other side of the coin: Christians should be faithful in legitimate corporate worship.

David often wrote of his love of worship. Here he says:

"I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells...My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD." (Ps. 26:6-8, 12)

Multitudes of Christians in our time neglect corporate worship. They have little interest in the church. They have many reasons to justify their position. But Who created the church? Jesus. And who is there when two or three are gathered in His name? Jesus. And how does Jesus feel about His church?

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..." (Ephesians 5:25).

If Jesus gave His blood for the church, how can Christians neglect her? And we have a direct command from God's Word to worship together with other Christians:

Heb 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Conclusion: These are four basic truths that all Christians should receive, regardless of denomination: 1. We should lead holy lives.
2. We must depend daily on God's merciful love.
3. We should not worship together with those who promote immorality or who deny Christ.
4. We should be faithful in supporting Christ's church.

Amen