THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION

Copyright Rosemary Bardsley 2004

#1: COLOSSIANS 1:12: GOD HAS QUALIFIED YOU

This collection of previous thoughts looks at the message of salvation in Paul's letter to the Colossian Christians. Because false teachers in Colosse were shrinking the meaning of salvation through the cross, and giving saving significance to human actions, Paul gives an extensive description of what God did in and through the death of his Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross.

The first aspect of salvation that Paul mentions is this: God 'has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.'

Here is an amazing, incredible thing: that qualification to live with God is a gift from God, something he has done to and for us.

In ourselves we are disqualified. Not one of us is able to qualify ourselves for entry into heaven, for acceptance in the presence of God. But here Paul gives thanks to God the Father because he has qualified us.

• Do we have to qualify ourselves? No.
• Do we have to keep ourselves qualified? No.
• Can anything we do disqualify us? No.

Why then do so many Christians live each day as though it is our performance that day that qualifies or disqualifies us to live with God, to enjoy his favour and blessing?

When we do so, we are completely missing Paul's point in this aspect of the Good News: God has qualified us.

The massive significance of this, and how it is possible, will unfold as we look at other aspects of salvation in Colossians in the weeks ahead.

Scriptures: Colossians 1:12; Romans 3:19,20; Galatians 2:15,16; 3:10.