Wednesday
05-13-2026
By: Brenda
“Worthiness”
We are saved by grace, but grace never leaves a person unchanged.
Scripture teaches that genuine faith produces visible fruit. Not perfection, but transformation.
And when it comes to the return of Christ, the question is not when He comes, but who we are becoming as we wait.
Many believers have been taught that once they pray a prayer, attend church, and read their Bible occasionally, they are “set.”
But Scripture paints a different picture.
One of new birth, new life, and ongoing transformation.
Jesus said,
Matthew 7:16-20
“You will know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree can not bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bears good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by there fruits you will know them.”
Paul said,
Romans 6:1-2
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” God forbid.”
(Actually this entire chapter v1 – v23 is a really good read.)
And James said,
James 2:14,18
(and everything in between)
v14- “What does it profit, my bretheren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
v18- “But someone will say, You “Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
Faith is not a moment. It is a life.
Salvation is a gift, but the evidence of that gift is our heart that begins to change.
Some believe they can be saved while still living in little white lies, stubbornness,
harsh attitudes, and lack of the fruit of the Spirit which are found at-
Galatians 5:22-23
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
But Scripture is clear here too:
The Holy Spirit produces fruit.
If there is no fruit, something is wrong at the root.
This does not mean we are living perfect.
It means we are living with direction.
A saved heart is a changing heart.
This does not mean we all are teachers or preachers either.
This is works in our everyday life, our interactions with others, our words, our submission to live ready to meet, to give, and to sacrifice wherever God has chosen to take us or place us.
And work in our personal relationship with Him.
This kind of works is not found one day a week on a pew. It is waking up every day saying “If I can do anything Father, use me.”
And what about the rapture?
Pre? Post? Private?
Many are afraid to say out loud.
Some believe they will be taken privately.
Some believe they will avoid suffering.
Some believe they will escape judgment.
And some believe they will return with Jesus without ever facing death.
But the Bible never teaches a “private rapture” or a “judgment‑free Christian life.”
Scripture says that “The dead in Christ will rise first.” Then we who are alive and remain will rise to meet them in the clouds.
And that those who endure to the end shall be saved.”
Peter, Paul, John, and the early church, those who walked closest with Jesus, suffered, endured, and finished their race in faith.
They were not spared hardship.
They were not lifted out early.
But they had the same hope we have today and that is that Jesus would return before they faced suffering and death.
And now they will be the very ones who will rise first and we who remain will meet them in the clouds…
So why would we believe we are more worthy than they were?
There is a deeper issue, “Worthiness.”
This is the question we need to ask-
What makes me more worthy than my sister or brother sitting next to me?
Is it because I pray more? Is it because I sin less? Is it because I attend church?
Or is it because I believe in a certain rapture timeline?
The answer for me, is, No.
No to all those questions.
None of us are worthy. All of us will stand before God. And all of us will be judged.
If I must face tribulation, I do not see it as a punishment. I see it as purification.
It will reveal what is real. It will separate the genuine from the superficial.
And it will exposes the difference between church attendance and Christ likeness.
We need to stop debating about the timing of Jesus’ return and start preparing our heart for His return.
Because whether Jesus comes before, during, or after tribulation, the call remains the same.
We need to try to live holy. We need to live ready. We need to live surrendered.
We need to live fruitful. We need to live humble. And we need to live like His return is worth suffering for.
So the question is not when He comes.
The question is who we are when He comes?
And will we hear those words,
“Well done My good and faithful servant.”
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
Open our minds and soften our hearts.
Remove pride, fear, and the belief that any of us are more worthy than another.
Teach us to walk in humility, truth, and the fruit of Your Spirit.
Show us where our faith has become lazy or comfortable.
Awaken us to live ready, not because we fear tribulation, but because we long to be found faithful.
Help us ask ourselves honestly-
What makes me more worthy than my sister or brother beside me?
And let the answer lead us to repentance, unity, and deeper love for You.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️