From the Fringe to the Fold
I became a member of my denomination, the Worldwide Church of God when I was 18 years old sometime in 1972. I was convinced and I really believed in my denomination’s teachings and I followed it faithfully until more than two decades later when I found out that not all of its teachings were accurate after all. By God’s grace, our denominational leadership was led by God’s Spirit to see the truth more clearly and we changed for the better. God has led our denomination from darkness into light. Or as Ruth Tucker once said, “from the fringe to the fold.” We now have changed our denominational name to Grace Communion International to reflect that change.
Qualifying to Be Saved
For all those 23 years, it was drilled strongly into my mind that I should “develop holy, righteous and perfect character.” Along with this phrase, I always heard our pastors preach about the need to “qualify” in order to enter the kingdom of God and be saved.
Shocking Personal Realization
Back then, I usually read the Bible using the 1611 King James Version and it was therefore shocking to me to find out and understand later on what the Bible is saying about being “qualified” in Colossians 1:12-14 in the New International Version. This word, “qualified” can also be found in the New American Standard Bible, the New Jerusalem Bible and the New King James Version of the Bible. Here is Colossians 1:12-14 in the New International Version:
“and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. “
God has Qualified Me and Rescued Me!
In this passage, I was shocked to discover that it is God the Father who has “qualified” me or “enabled” me! I did not understand it in the 1611 King James Version of the Bible. I found out that I don’t have to do good works or “develop holy righteous and perfect character” in order to “qualify” and be saved! God has already “qualified“ me—past tense! He has already brought us (and me!—past tense) into Jesus’ kingdom. He has already rescued me, redeemed me and forgave me even before I asked for forgiveness.
Paul said that while I was still a sinner, Christ has already died for me (Rom. 5:8). He did not wait for me to “develop holy, righteous and perfect character” first before accepting me. It is by God’s grace that I have been saved—past tense (Ephesians 2:8).
The Objective Gospel Truth
This objective truth (indicative of grace) that God has already rescued me out of darkness and brought me into the Kingdom of the Son whom he loves, compels me to respond positively to God’s love and grace (imperative of grace). Because of God’s love and mercy, it is just but proper that I respond by loving him and obeying his commandments in return. This is what Paul calls as “the obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5, 16:26). God’s love compels me to love him in return and not sin against him and against my fellowmen.
God is Love not a contract-God
I’m happy to know that God is interested to have a relationship with me like a father to his son. He is not a contract-God who is merely interested in and watching over my every move whether I obey his commandments or not. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are a union and communion of loving relationship and through our Lord Jesus Christ, I have been included into that awesome relationship. What a wonderful truth that is! I’m just glad the Lord has brought me out of darkness and into his marvelous Light! (1 Pet. 2:9)
Updated: 3/7/2020