So let's take our Bibles and go back to Psalm chapter 1. Psalm chapter 1. Psalm chapter 1 is a very gripping psalm for its terseness, It's stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. In fact, there is nothing in this Psalm which is what we might say gray or neutral. Rather, Psalm chapter one is opening the divine psalter with overt, unmistakable clarity. What we have here are two polarizing ways of living. two opposing types of humanity, and two diverging destinies. In short, Psalm 1 shows us the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian. But the heaviest accent in this psalm falls on what a true believer is in Christ by who they are and how they live. The psalm can be divided up into three simple headings. In verses 1 and 2, we have the direction of the believer's life. In verses 3 and 4, we have the description of the believer's life. And in verses 5 and 6, we have the destiny of the believer's life. Let's just consider for a moment the direction of the believer's life. In verses 1 and 2 of Psalm chapter 1, we read this, blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." What we see here, first of all, is that a true Christian is marked and known by what he shuns. A true Christian is marked and known by what he shuns. That is, where we see a believer heading is by what we see him rejecting in total. Where we see a believer heading is by what we see him rejecting in total. And what is it specifically that a Christian rejects according to Psalm chapter 1? Well, he rejects the counsel, the way, and the seat of the godless. He rejects the counsel, the way, and the seat of the godless. First of all, he has nothing to do with the counsel of the wicked. This refers to the plans, the outlook, or the way of thinking that characterizes the ungodly. Christian, I should say a faithful obedient Christian, is not going to think like the world. According to Romans chapter 12 in verse 2, they are not going to allow the world and its counsel to shape and mold them into its ungodly mold. Second, a Christian has nothing to do with the way of sinners. It has nothing to do with the way of sinners. This refers to how they live, their conduct. And a good parallel to this truth is what we find in the divine imperatives of Ephesians chapter 5. In Ephesians chapter 5, Paul instructs The Ephesian Church, and this of course is divine inspired instruction for all Christians, for all believers. Ephesians chapter 5 starting at verse 3 and reading to verse 12. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among who? Saints. as is proper among saints, not sinners, but saints. That's who you are if you're a Christian, you're a saint. So these things are not to be even named among you as is proper, as is right among saints. Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous, that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore Do not become partners with them. In other words, don't go in the way of sinners. Do not become partners with them, for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. That's one great example from the New Testament that helps us to see what it means practically, what it means in everyday Christian experience that a Christian does not walk in the way of sinners. They don't stand the way of sinners. They have nothing to do with the way of sinners. They do not involve themselves as partners with the unfruitful works of darkness. And did you notice what Paul the Apostle reminds us of? About our identity. He says, you were once darkness. That's who you once were. But now Now you're light in the Lord. And so because of who you are, well, who you are determines how you live. But now you're light in the Lord, so what then is the next imperative? Walk as children of light. So a Christian has nothing to do with the way of sinners. Christian has nothing to do with the seat, the seat of scoffers. Now what does that refer to? Well, this refers to a settled association with the ungodly. A settled association with the ungodly. 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 would be a very good parallel understanding what it means that we don't sit in the seat of scoffers 2nd Corinthians chapter 6 and starting in verse 14 do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers now if you think that because I know Christians who think this, if you think that that only and exclusively means do not marry an unbeliever, then your application of this command is what we might say very myopic. It's too exclusive. This means so much more than do not marry an unbeliever. That application is certainly implied, no doubt, But there's more to it than that. To come under the yoke, to be under the harness of an unbeliever, metaphorically speaking, is to be associated with everything that their life is associated with. And Paul is saying that for us as Christians, there is no possible way that we can do that. No possible way. And why is that? Well look, he gives us the arguments. Look at it. Verse 14. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said, I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them and I will be their God and they shall be my people. Therefore, go out from their midst and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing. Then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty." A godly believer in Christ does not in any respect, come under the same harness and thereby putting themselves in association with the ways, the works, the counsel, the thoughts of unbelievers. And why is this? Because spiritually speaking and morally speaking, it is impossible. That's impossible. Again, go back to Ephesians chapter, chapter five, you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Okay. So you're no longer darkness. So guess what? You can't be under the same yoke with an unbeliever. You can't have that kind of association. It doesn't mean that you can't, you know, work with an unbeliever out in the workforce. And because I mean, if you're out in the workforce and You're employed by a company, you're gonna be working with unbelievers, but that's not the same thing. That's not what this is talking about. This is talking about being in such an association with the ungodly that it's a partnership, it's a fellowship. You are in accord with them. You're in agreement with them about matters that pertain to worldviews. to life, to things spiritual. And so, again, a Christian has nothing to do with the seed of scoffers. You know what a scoffer is? A scoffer is a mocker. A mocker. They mock God. They have no fear of God whatsoever. They mock him. They mock his word. They mock everything about him. How can a Christian sit themselves in association with somebody like that? You can't, it's impossible. So let's be very clear about this. A man or woman born again by the Spirit of God is someone whose life is glaringly counter-cultural. We learned all about that last week in Isaiah chapter eight. In a word, a Christian is different. The world would say, you're weird. That's okay, I'll be weird for Jesus, thank you. A Christian does not go with the flow of this godless, unrighteous world. They spurn it, they steer clear of it. The direction of their life is the polar opposite of what the world counts as good, meaningful, and valuable. And I'll sum this point up by saying this, what drives the world's pleasure is not what drives God's people. What drives the world's pleasure is not what drives God's people. Now, does that mean that there are not things that we perhaps have in common with unbelievers? Natural, domestic, biological, even some things that would be entertainment. We may have things in common like that. Indeed, we all do to some degree. However, those things are not the things that drive us as believers in Christ. That's not what drives us, you know. I mean, I may share the same sports fandom with an unbeliever who likes the Georgia Bulldogs as much as I do. But that's not what drives my life. That's not the driving pleasure of my life. My world does not revolve around go dogs. No. What drives God's people is what we see in verse two. So let's look at this. What is it that drives God's people? Where is their pleasure if not in the world? Where is their pleasure if not in the world? All right, look at what verse two says. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. The true pleasure The driving joy a Christian has is in the law of the Lord. In the law of the Lord. Now, what does that term law mean? What does it mean? Well, it's a term that can be better translated as instruction, doctrine, teaching. It's the full content of God's word. This is where a Christian is guided This is where a Christian is instructed and directed. This is where a Christian is illuminated and inspired, where a Christian is reproved and corrected, where a Christian is edified. And they, and listen, and according to verse two, they are not in God's word only some of the time, but they are preoccupied with his word. How much? Day and night. Day and night. In fact, In fact, their reading of the scriptures is a constant mulling over by way of thoughtful meditation on what God has revealed in his word. The result of such concentration on God's word is a reshaping. It is a renewing way of thinking and living, which doesn't blend in with the ways of the world, but counters the world by a life that glorifies God. And honestly, you want to say as a Christian, well, of course, that's a no brainer. Because what is it that Jesus says of us, his people? What does he say? He says, we're in the world, but we're what? Not of the world. We're not of the world. We are different. We are different. We are a new creation in Christ. We are no longer the sons and daughters of Adam. We're now, according to Romans 8, the sons of God. with the Spirit of God indwelling us and causing us to cry out, Abba Father. Now, we're not of this world. We live in this world, absolutely, and there are things necessary that we have to have to live in this world and to get on in this world, but we are not of the worldview. We are not of the philosophies. We are not of the way and lifestyle of this world that opposes God. that contradicts His Word. That is not what drives us. That is not our joy, our delight, our pleasure. No. No, it's meditating. Meditating day and night on the instruction of God. And that doesn't mean that you're physically sitting down reading the scriptures, reading the scriptures day and night, but it does mean by virtue of the meaning of the term meditate, that you are, as I said earlier, you're mulling over, you're concentrating, you're thinking about what God's word has shown you today. What you've heard from the word today. and you're thinking on those things. You're not like the man in James chapter one, who looks at his image in a mirror and James says, when he turns away and walks from the mirror, he completely forgets what he saw. Remember that image? Remember that analogy? What was James referring to there? Well, he was talking about the difference between those that just merely hear the word and those that do the word. The difference between hearers and doers. But still, when we read the scriptures, we don't turn away from them and completely forget what we've read. Then you're failing to meditate on what you've read. We've got to hide the word in our heart, which is what the psalmist declares in Psalm 119. He hides the word in his heart, and for what purpose? What does the psalmist say? He says, so that I may not sin against you. So, to say this last statement once more, and then we'll pray. The result of such concentration on God's word is a reshaping, renewing way of thinking and living which doesn't blend in with the ways of the world, but counters the world by a life that glorifies God. Our Lord Jesus, our Lord Jesus would say, as recorded in Matthew five, he says to us, his church, his people, he says, you alone are the salt of the earth. You alone are the light of the world. There is no other light, no other salt, but us in this world. And that's by the authority of Jesus Christ himself. So we got to stand out. Counter-cultural. Counter-cultural believers. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, as we As we take in with all seriousness, Psalm chapter one, verses one and two, and only those two verses, Lord, we confess to you our guilt, our coming short of our delight, our true delight, being captured and driven, Lord, by a fateful meditation on your word day and night. Indeed, Father, if we were to be truly honest as we should be before you, though there's nothing we can hide from you, but in open and honest confession, Father, how often have we walked in the ways of the ungodly, taken in their counsel, have stood in their ways, and perhaps have even been guilty through the years of even having a wrong, unlawful, unbiblical association with unbelievers where we are harnessing ourselves under their way, their way of thinking, their way of believing to some degree, their worldview. To whatever degree, Lord, that we are so guilty, we humbly ask your forgiveness by the blood and righteousness of Christ Jesus, our Lord. And we trust you today for the grace to repent. To repent, Lord, how much we have blended in with this ungodly world in various ways. And by that, Lord, we repent of having lost our saltiness and having hid our light under a lamp, under a bushel. We trust in you today, Lord, for the power to flee from these sins of unfaithfulness. And that we would, by the working of your sanctifying grace, that we will strive, Lord, to give ourselves to a greater and more constant meditation upon your word And that with great joy, with great delight, that is holy, that is right, that is godly. Heavenly Father, we want to be in our deepest and most true desires of our new nature in Christ. We want to be a better and more faithful witness for the Lord Jesus to the world in which we live, to that world wherein you planted us to be that witness. Whether it is in our family circle or whether it is in our neighborhoods or whether it is in the workforce or in the marketplace, but Lord, wherever that circle of influence that we have, that you've given us providentially, we pray for so much grace that we desperately need to give ourselves unto you, to glorify you in all things, that we will be truly counter-cultural in all the right ways that will point sinners to Christ. and that for the sake of Christ. These things we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus and for his sake. Amen.