Already Qualified

Read: 2 Peter 1:3-11

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:3

IN WORD

Jesus promised His followers that they would be able to do His works. He gave them extravagant promises of answered prayers and the manifest presence of God. He gave them Kingdom power and sent them out to demonstrate it. He called them higher, deeper, and further into the Kingdom mission.

So why aren’t many of us experiencing the fullness of these promises? Because we think we aren’t qualified for them. Perhaps we haven’t fully grown in the spiritual disciplines we think we need. We aren’t prayer “masters” or spiritual clones of the apostle Paul. We don’t live in the right era, or we don’t work in the same culture, or . . . well, the rationalizing could go on forever. But the bottom line is that Jesus promised, and the New Testament writers affirmed His words. And they never indicated, not even once, that we aren’t qualified for the full inheritance of the Kingdom.

In fact, Peter plainly tells us in his second letter that we are already qualified. God’s divine power has given us everything we need. If we earned spiritual status by our disciplines and efforts, then perhaps we might be justified in having low expectations. But discipleship isn’t primarily about us. It’s about Him. And He’s enough.

IN DEED

Scripture is clear. We aren’t partial saints, moderately holy, mostly justified, or somewhat cleansed of our sins. The work of Jesus is complete. Salvation is all or nothing. Those who believe have received all. We certainly have room to grow in our understanding, but in God’s eyes we are already as pure and righteous as we will ever be. We are qualified for everything He offers, if we can receive it by faith. That makes any shortcoming a heart-and-mind issue, not a spiritual achievement issue. If we believe—and act on our belief—we can experience the fullness of God’s promises. His divine power has already been given. We can begin walking in it whenever we take bold steps of faith.

ADDITIONAL READING: Ephesians 2:6-10

Salvation means the incoming into human nature of the great characteristics that belong to God.

OSWALD CHAMBERS