Qualification

<<requirement>>

The attribute that must be met or complied with and that fits a person for something. David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Do not take your Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and I will teach the sinners your way and they will turn to you” (Ps 51:10-13). From the right foundation of a purified life the right results of people turning to God would come. The requirements for coming boldly into God’s presence and for answered prayer include having a pure heart and clean hands (Ps 24:3-5).

The requirements of the Christian faith are not self-effort and arrogance but depending on and having a true fear (awe) of God resulting in love and humility (Ps 51:17). It is not about what we are, rather it revolves around what Christ has done and our appropriating His provision. Don’t make

Qualifications or effort cannot save us but His mercy can – Titus 3:5

unwise decisions and so disqualify yourself from receiving God’s blessings. Instead respond obediently, in love, so you will receive what He has promised to those who by their choices put themselves in the position where they qualify for His favour by meeting His requirements. To be followers of Jesus we must hear His voice and obey, “If any man would come after me he must deny himself and take his cross and follow me”. It means denying oneself and not being ashamed of being associated with Jesus (Lk 9:23-26).

In today’s secular world, a great deal of emphasis is placed on academic qualifications and not so much on real-life experience and skill with little on inner character qualities; while knowledge and upskilling are important

Do not neglect the character qualities

everyone needs practical common sense and spiritual wisdom. When a future King was being selected to replace Saul, the prophet Samuel was impressed with the physical aspects of one candidate, but was told by God, "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart' (1 Sam 16:7). David, a man after God's own heart was chosen (Act 13:22). As a Pharisee, Paul was highly qualified, but he considered it of no value, “counting it all a loss”, compared to knowing Christ (Phil 3:4-9).

Jesus ‘put on our shoes’ (became human) so He can empathise with us and in a similar way we are qualified to help others when we have experienced similar troubles and weaknesses as they are going through (Heb 4:14-16, 10:33, 13:3). Christ is also qualified to judge the world because He made all things and gave His life to redeem humanity (Col 1:15-20; Rev 5:1-9).

The Bible gives various qualifications or requirements for aspiring leaders in the church (1 Tim 3:1-13; Tit 1:5-9).