What is the difference between worthy and worthily? A big one actually. As Christians we should be made aware of the difference. There is no one worthy to come to God on his own. That is why Christ came. Only He makes us worthy. We must achieve to come to Him worthily. This takes extra action on our parts once God imputes His salvation on us. His redemption makes us worthy, not us.

"I therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the (divine) calling to which you been called (with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service. Living as becomes you) with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another." Eph.4:1-2 (Amplified)

Paul is saying that because God saved you, He imparted His grace and mercy that you should be made worthy in which to live a life worthily of approaching Him. It's our job to maintain a humble attitude. We can no longer boast of the things we have done. The person who assumes he's worthy is the one who is prideful. This is not of God.

When David wrote Psalm 24, he brings this observation about. In the third verse he writes this obvious question and then it makes us realize that it's almost impossible to obtain.

"Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy place?" Ps. 24:3 (Amplified)

Are you ready to stand before God because of the good works you have done? This is a humbling question that we should not pass up as we continue on our Christian walk. Even though we are saved by grace, does that make us worthy to stand before the Almighty God? How then is this possible? David gives us the answer in the next verse.

"He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully." Ps. 24:4 (Amplified)

This is the person who serves God with purity through the grace that God has freely given. It's our choice to take this salvation deeper so that we will be worthy by having an attitude that is of a worthily manner. It's when we know the One Who is in control. We are not our own. David reminds of this fact too.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it." Ps.24:1 (Amplifi

This verse is sobering. So many times we tend to forget that all that we are, all that we have and all that we've done, is not by our own good deeds. We have been given the blessings to be who we are because God has given us His righteousness. God puts us in charge of what He owns. If we realize that we are nobody, then who are we to approach God? This leaves me feeling quite inadequate. But, I am forever striving to approach him worthily in my attitude of humbleness. It is my prayer that one day as I stand before Him, or fall before Him, He will smile and say to me, "Well done, My good and faithful servant."

We are called servants because we are to serve Him and not be 'self-serving'. We must handle God's property with all the care in the world. If we don't, He will not give us any more. So many times we bring about our own hardships when we overlook this fact.

When we take responsibility for what God trusts us with He will also give us the knowledge in how we should treat it. His knowledge produces the virtues in our life which make us patient, godly, and loving. These virtues will produce the fruits in our lives that will show others that we do belong to God.

Just as in David's generation, we still seek after God today. When we truly seek His face we will then be able to stand before Him on His holy mountain.

It's the impartation of His purity that He lays in our hearts which makes us worthy to come before Him. Where do you stand in this line? Are your hands clean? Is your heart pure? Are you truly repentant of all sins? Has God washed you clean in the blood of Jesus? If you answered yes to these questions now ask yourself this, do you feel worthy of coming to God?

When you make room for Jesus in your heart, He will be able to make room for you in heaven.

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