How Qualified!

Some of you who are involved in school sports have found that in some competitions you have to first QUALIFY in order to be eligible to compete. Others of you may have applied for jobs where you experienced some time of wondering if those in charge would decide you were QUALIFIED to do the work. I even applied for a job once where they said I was OVER-QUALIFIED, so they would not consider me for the position. Well, this is just the beginning. Throughout life you will be faced with either deciding yourself what you are QUALIFIED for or awaiting the outcome of that decision by others.

While there are some jobs we might be able to do even if we are not fully QUALIFIED (simply because we are willing to do our best and continue to learn in the process) there are other things we would not even think about doing without being QUALIFIED. For example, I could not step into the cockpit of a jet airline and take over the controls. Now, I could decide to go through the training to become QUALIFIED and in training for that end (or whatever role might come to mind), the day when I was told I was QUALIFIED would be a day of celebration.

There is another type of QUALIFICATION about which we ought to rejoice. It is a QUALIFICATION we cannot “qualify” for ourselves. Paul mentioned it in his letter to the church at Colossae where we read…

“(11) May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (12) giving thanks to THE FATHER, WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (13) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” ( Colossians 1:11-14 ESV)

The Greek word translated QUALIFIED here implies being sufficient, competent, or fit. We could not QUALIFY ourselves to receive that eternal inheritance. It is our Heavenly Father through the gift of Jesus’ cleansing blood, Who has QUALIFIED us (made us “sufficient”, “competent”, “fit”) to receive that rich, eternal inheritance.

Where we needed help the most, God has given it. He has QUALIFIED us in Christ.

Have a great day knowing what God has QUALIFIED you to receive!
Carl

-----------------------
[This focus was originally sent 08/28/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Qualification