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Qualified

 Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” 

One of the most popular shows on television is the Andy Griffith Show.  In Season 4, Episode 6, Gomer Pyle loses his job at the gas station and moves in with Andy and his family. In one scene Gomer is going to the market to check on a job for an experienced butcher. Andy asks him, “do you know anything about cutting meat?” Gomer replies, “You think they will ask me about that?”


There are careers in our society that require certain qualifications. You cannot be a medical doctor without the proper education, training, and license. Teachers require a certain level of education and state certification. When you apply for a job, you usually submit a resume and references to prove you are qualified for the position.


What is it that qualifies us for heaven?  What are the qualifications required for eternity? In John 3:3 Jesus answers the question, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He continues in verse 16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 


Perhaps you have heard the expression, “I have both good news and bad news.” Romans 6:23 contains both good and bad news.  The bad news is “the wages of sin is death.” The highest wage sin offers is death. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.” The good news is found in the latter part of verse 23, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”


This gift of God is salvation.  We are not qualified for eternity because of our social standing, our good name, or good works.  We are qualified for heaven when we pray to receive Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-11 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’”

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