Employers normally have certain standards in the hiring of new employees.  They are interested in the former work history of the job seeker.  Education, experience and knowledge are usually at the top of the list.  Also important are dependability, appearance, honesty and congeniality. Several other traits will no doubt be considered in determining if the candidate is qualified for the job.  Experience, knowledge and education are often hazy areas because of the variance in expectation and preparation from place to place.  Repetition could be mistaken as experience.  Practice makes perfect only if the practice is not flawed.  Many others of the qualifications might be equally difficult to evaluate.  If the candidate is hired and performs well, perks, bonuses and a good retirement could follow.

God is looking for people to qualify for His kingdom also.  However, no experience is required and no evaluation of character traits is admin-istered (2 Pe 3:9) (Mt 11:28) (Rom 5:10).  We sign this contract of grace through faith, which requires obedience (Eph 2:8-9) (Acts 2: 38).  We are then Christ’s servants to do good works (Eph 2:10).  God’s and Christ’s Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32) (Eph 3:16) gives us the strength to grow on the job (2 Pe 3:18), give comfort (2Cor 1:3-4), forgive (Col 3:13), and many other Christ-like behaviors (Php 4:8-9) (Gal 5:22-23).

We are given many impressive titles as we work:  Priest (1 Pe 2:5), Ambassador (2 Cor 5:20), Heir (Rom 8:17), and Children of God (Rom 8:15-16).  Perhaps the most desired title might be “friend” of Jesus (Jo 15:14).  We have many perks here on earth, love and peace (2 Cor 13:11), direct access to the “Boss” (Mk 11:24) (Php 4:6), and an unlimited spiritual expense account (Mt 7:7-8).  Obviously, the retirement plan is unequaled, eternal life (Rev 22:3-5), freedom from pain and death (Rev 21: 3-4), and best of all, fellowship with Jesus in His Father’s house (Jo 14:1-4).  All of this because we are considered (declared) qualified (righteous) because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Rom 5:19) (Rom 3:22) (1 Pe 3:18).

-Jim Bailey