I may not be perfect, but I am sufficient. Might have a long way to go, but I have all the power I need. The bar might be set pretty high, but I’ve already cleared it. The inheritance might be only for those who are holy, but I know I have a part in it. Gotta problem with that? Take it up with the One who declares me, “Qualified!”

. . . 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.

(Colossians 1:12-14 ESV)

Qualified. That’s the one word I’m chewing on this morning. A full meal deal in itself.

Reading Paul’s prayer list for the saints at Colossae (Col. 1:9-12a). Here’s what he asks for them :

• That they’d have the spiritual wisdom and understanding to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will
• That they’d walk in a manner worthy of the Lord
• That they’d be fully pleasing to Him
• That they’d bear fruit
• That they’d increase in knowledge
• That they’d be strengthened with the power that only comes from the glorious might of God Himself
• That they’d be marked by endurance, patience, joy, and thanksgiving

Quite the list. High, holy, and lofty ambition for these sinners saved by grace.

But what grabs me this morning is that this isn’t some sort of pre-req list in order to be qualified. Not stuff they have to do to have a part in the inheritance. Not a test to determine if they’re truly worthy. But this is what they get to pursue because they have already been qualified. Because they already have a share in the inheritance. Because they’ve already been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light. Because they have known the forgiveness of sins. Because they have been made righteous with Christ’s righteousness. Because they have been redeemed.

The list is the race. The list is life and life to the full.

Like I said, not something they have to do, but what they get to do because they are qualified through the finished work of Christ to participate in the divine life.

Sufficient through Christ’s once for all sacrifice. Enabled by grace. All the resources needed having been freely granted in the living Lord through His residing Spirit.

Not because we’ve met some standard, but because He has. Not because we are sufficient, but because He is. Not because we deserve a part in the inheritance, but only because He has determined it.

Call me qualified.

By His grace. For His glory.