Developing Righteous Character

Young Man's Training & Discipline

I became a member of the Worldwide Church of God (now called, Grace Communion International) when I was 18. On my own, I decided to leave my family's religion. And since then for about 23 years, I really believed in my denomination's teachings and followed diligently and faithfully all of the commandments we were taught to obey believing it was God's teachings. One thing I can appreciate during those times were the training and discipline I received as a young man. Generally speaking, most of our brethren were more disciplined than others -- in my perception. Many have more integrity and are mindful of having righteous character. These were and are, well and good. It's good to be a well-disciplined person with integrity, leadership, good grooming, cultured, go-getter and the like. We were all taught these good traits. But this is not the issue in itself that I would like to discuss here.

Character Development for Salvation

For all those over two decades, we were taught and it was drilled strongly into our minds that we should "develop holy, righteous and perfect character." I've heard this phrase pounding in my ears hundreds (thousands maybe) of times in 23 years. But why? The reason? So we can "qualify" to enter the Kingdom of God. Along with the previous phrase, the word "qualify" was a word we always heard in sermons and in conversations among us. We were very mindful of good character -- for a reason -- in order to be saved!

Qualifying to be Saved

I was therefore shocked when I read Colossians 1:12 with an open mind this time and read the word "qualified" in the New International Version. I somehow, did not notice it before nor was it a favorite quotation by our pastors who taught us. Here's Colossians 1:12-14 :

"...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,  14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

God has "Qualified" You and Me

In this verse, I was shocked to discover that it is God the Father who has "qualified" me! I don't have to do good works or "develop holy righteous and perfect character in order to be saved! God has already "qualified" me -- past tense! He has already brought us (and me -- past tense) into Jesus' kingdom. He has already redeemed me and forgave me even before I did anything.  Everything is God's doing through Christ. I don't have to "qualify." He has already "qualified' me! What a revelation and a shocking surprise!

God Already Did it For Us

While I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5:8 ). He did not wait for me to "develop holy, righteous and perfect character" first before accepting me -- saving me. In so far as God is concerned, everything needed for salvation has already been done by him. All we have to do is accept it -- believe it! We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. It is by grace we have been saved -- past tense. This verse in Ephesians also shocked me (Ephesians 2:8 )!

No Law Whatsoever can Save

According to the Apostle Paul, there is no law that can ever save us (Galatians 2:16,21 ) -- whether it be moral, ceremonial, the ten commandments or any other law for that matter. There is no law that can save, period! No law-keeping can ever save us. Only Jesus saves! This is made clear in Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. We are saved by grace through faith not by works (Eph. 2:8-10 ).

Not Law-breakers

Of course, we in the Grace Communion International are not law-breakers as we are usually accused of because we no longer keep the old covenant, the Law of Moses. As the Apostle Paul said, shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Of course not! This is clearly explained by Paul in Romans 6 . It is grace that teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness (Titus 2:11-12 ). God's forgiveness doesn't mean we are free to sin again. Rather, because we have been given grace, this prods us to obey God all the more -- not to be saved this time but because we have been created to do good works (Eph. 2:10 ). We do good works because it is the right thing to do.

Freedom in Christ

For 15 years now, since our denomination has changed its doctrines (by God's grace!) I have felt the freedom from the shackles of legalism. I have experienced the joy of being under God's grace instead of being under the yoke of the law of Moses. What freedom! What joy it is! I'm writing this to you my brethren (you know who you are) so you may see the light of the true gospel, so you may also enjoy the freedom that we enjoy in Jesus. Our salvation is secure in Jesus Christ. No need to qualify! You have been loved, accepted, included and qualified! May you find this article helpful in your own personal journey with Christ. God bless!