What does the Bible say about who can stand before God?

Psalm 24 poses a profound question about who may ascend to the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place. Verse 4 outlines that those who have clean hands and a pure heart are the ones allowed in God's presence. However, this strict standard highlights the impossibility for fallen humanity to meet such holy requirements in their own strength. Scripture, including Romans 3:10-12, tells us that there is none righteous, no, not one, which underscores the necessity of a substitute. This substitute is Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect life fulfilling all righteousness on behalf of His people. Therefore, believers are accepted before God not based on their merit but because of Christ's righteousness imputed to them.