Qualify
When you think of the word, Qualify, what comes to mind? For me, I think of:
- His "sub-three-hour marathon" qualifies him to race in next year's Boston Marathon.
- Her SAT score of 2180 qualifies her for admission consideration at Harvard.
- My work experience qualifies me for that job.
- Helio Castroneves qualifies for the Indy 500 with a time of 229.323 mph.
- Their credit score of 800 qualifies them for a lower mortgage rate.
Qualifying for something always points back to the performance of the individual who is soon to reap the reward. His or her performance is hard-fought and doggedly-earned. They endure toil, sacrifice, sleepless nights, struggle, trial, and travail to earn that qualification. That's how the world works.
But not how the Kingdom of God works.
Qualified
I've been studying through the book of Colossians in the New Testament, and some of the most beautiful words find their home in chapter 1:12-14. Paul (who's writing to the church at Colossae) is in the middle of a prayer for the church/Christians there. He says:
" ... [so that you would be] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Note who does the qualifying. You would think our performance qualifies us for our future (and current) Kingdom benefits ... but these verses say that's not true. Instead, it's not our efforts but Someone else's efforts that qualify us! Stunning. The blessings of God are all unearned, all gifted. Once realized, our striving melts into a puddle of gratitude. A puddle? No, an ocean! God has qualified me! God has qualified me! Does it get any better than this?!
Are you picking up what God's laying down? Do you understand what He's offering? I am (you are) qualified by the work, merit, effort, performance, sacrifice, sweat, resolve, drive, determination, and life of Another. His name is Jesus. What I could never do, He did on my behalf, to qualify me for His Kingdom. Not me. Him. Repeat. Not me. Him.
If that's not enough for you, you don't have a pulse. But, it gets better. A final thought from Colossians 1:12-14. Note the bolded words:
" ... [so that you would be] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
- Delivered from, Transferred to.
Wow.
- From Ghetto to Glory.
- From Squalor to Splendor.
- From Graveyard to Grandeur.
- From Bankrupt to Banquet.
- From Pauper to Princess.
- From Darkness to Daybreak.
Three simple, life-altering words: Qualified. From. To. So grateful.