A resume screening company received a package of resumes from an organization asking them to vet each candidate and make recommendations. Here are a few of their observations. Applicant #1 is emotionally unbalanced and on several occasions demonstrated an unrestrained temper. #2 displays abnormal pessimism and may create a negative atmosphere and undermine the morale of your team. #3 has ties with a radical group planning to overthrow the government. #4 is the oldest of your candidates with the most experience however; numerous local agencies have blacklisted him for his business practices. Overall, these applicants are too young and inexperienced for your project, none of them has advanced educational training, and all fail to meet the social standards that an organization as yours should expect.
The remaining eight resumes wouldn’t look any better. Yet, despite all their negatives, the leader chose all twelve and only one proved to be a bad choice. The twelve were the apostles; the leader was Jesus and He chose them, even as unqualified as they appeared, in order to take His message of the Gospel into all the world. Today, not one would ever get beyond the screening process and probably no ministry would want them on their leadership team. However, God’s policy of selection is totally opposite of the world. God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God (1Co 1:27-29). This is number two on my list of life verses because according to God’s standards in these three verses I am well qualified.
Throughout Bible history, God chose men and women by these same standards to perform great works for Him. Paul told us why He chooses unqualified people, so that no man may boast before God (1Co 1:29). But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17). Paul adds that all his accomplishments came only through grace from God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me (1Co 15:10). Someone said God doesn’t call the equipped, but He equips those He calls. God equips through the Holy Spirit’s power and the Word. Further, God spiritually qualifies us through what Jesus did in His death and resurrection. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph 2:8, 9).
We have all sung the old hymn, Amazing Grace, but at times, we should stop and consider just how amazing His grace is. Read through Hebrews 11 and note the list of people many call the heroes of faith. None of them was what we would label today as a professional minister. They were ordinary men and women and I have wondered how a few of them got in the list—one in particular. Our pastor recently preached on Samson who was impulsive, prideful, and driven by his fleshly lust. Yet, the Lord directed his life and used him as a Judge of Israel for 20 years. Despite his failings, God was with him. On two occasions, scripture tells us the Holy Spirit enabled Samson to slaughter Philistines. The Spirit of the Lord took control of him (Jud 14:4, 15:14). Remarkable is the fact Samson never gave God the glory and only at his death do we find an account he ever prayed. Because of his sinful lifestyle, the Philistines captured Samson and gouged out his eyes. The leaders gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon and rejoice and praise their god for the capture of Samson. They brought him out so they could mock him and amuse themselves. Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes” (Jud 16:28).
What amazed me was when I realized such a sinful man driven by lust and pride is in the list of the heroes of faith (Heb 11:32). After all my searching and pondering, I can find no other answer outside the grace of God. And as I write this, the Holy Spirit reminds me that every person listed in the heroes of faith was sinful. They too were called and equipped only through the grace of God. Feeling unqualified is never an excuse for not fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. Moses made several excuses as to why he was unqualified; Gideon said his family background and being the youngest made him unqualified. Jeremiah said he was too young. Yet, God used them to do great works for Him and none of them could boast before God because they knew as Paul, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Do you feel unqualified for what God wants you to do? Good, you are a perfect candidate and you will be able to boast in the Lord.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Do you believe you are unqualified? God will qualify and equip you.