May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 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 1:11-14)

Oh, my great God and King, that I wouldn’t disqualify that which you have qualified.

You see the Father has qualified us, Christians, to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. Therefore we should no longer walk in the ways of darkness. “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1) lest we disqualify ourselves.

Let’s say that I receive a letter in the mail stating that I qualify for a special vacation offer in New York City because I am a twenty-something male with a glabrous scalp (I shave my head). A year goes by and I finally respond to the offer, submitting the necessary forms and including a picture ID to prove that my head is shaved; one slight problem, however, is that I haven’t cut my hair in the past year. I receive a letter back informing me that I no longer qualify for the offer because my long hair has disqualified me for this shaved-head-only offer. Qualified and then disqualified.

What offers might God make to us that we might disqualify ourselves from because of our sin? “Share the gospel with this porn addict.” Oh, wait, I can’t because I visit sites I shouldn’t. Disqualified. “Speak to this group of teenagers about having purity in all areas of your life.” Oh, wait, I can’t because I download videos and music illegally. Disqualified. (I can say this because I’ve recently had to change my downloading habits. Don’t think what you do on your computer will affect things in the “real” world, your Christian life and your relationship with your Creator and King? Wrong. It will.)

Preach the gospel to yourself first (and daily).

Before God worked in my heart and made me a new creation from the inside out (before I got saved), I was disqualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light because I was in sin, in the domain of darkness, and without forgiveness of sins. But, thanks be to God for Christ in whom I have redemption, the forgiveness of sins; through whom I have been qualified.

What is disqualification? Disqualification is harboring sin in my life after I’ve been transferred to the kingdom of God’s beloved Son; being in the light but hiding darkness. Is disqualification the loss of salvation for a Christian? By no means. Forgiveness of sins is forgiveness of sins.

Disqualification hinders my effectiveness for God.
Disqualification gives the nonbeliever a reason to reject my faith because I’m a hypocrite.
Disqualification taints and hardens my conscience.
Disqualification keeps me from becoming more like Christ.

What sin are you harboring that, if God chooses to use you, might disqualify you? Downloading illegally from the Internet? Pornography? Lust? Hating your Christian brother or sister? Whatever it is, let me encourage you to stop. It’s irrational because sin is irrational. It’s ephemeral; promising pleasure but leaving a bitter aftertaste and regret. That sin is contrary to the qualification God has given you in Christ.

Instead pick luscious, satisfying fruit from the Tree of Life. You have, after all, been transferred, qualified and forgiven.

May we be strengthened, giving thanks to the Father; not weakened by lingering sin.