A "Go" or “No Go" is a military term for those who have met a set standard and are either fully qualified to perform their duties, or ready to progress to the next phase of the training process. Who determines whether or not one is a "Go" or “No Go" is usually a subject matter expert who evaluates the prospect by a set standard.

I had the opportunity this past weekend to evaluate Army soldiers’ personnel records to see if they were qualified to deploy. The soldiers were required to submit a packet that supplied numerous papers with their information detailing their personal history. If they were missing any important information, forms, or any undocumented training they were then signed off as a "no go" and were required to locate the papers or get trained before they could progress. 

Because of Christ the Christian lives a life completely opposite of this.   We have all things in Christ.  As our church grows and God adds to our numbers, many come bringing their "records" of achievement. Some come with years of church attendance, theological training, or service, but for the Christian who may be counting on these for God's favor... it is a "no go."   This is self righteousness in which, according to scripture, we have no righteousness outside of Christ (Rom 3:10).  

If anyone had any bragging rights, it was the apostle Paul.  When he evaluated his credentials he declared,  

(Phi 3.4-6)  ⁴ though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more:  ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

However, when he divinely evaluated his righteousness against Christ's by grace, he rightly declared, ""But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 

(Phi 3.7-11) ⁷ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- ¹⁰ that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Before we can see and experience God's grace for ourselves, we must first empty our "accomplishment folders" and rely only on the person and work of Christ alone. 

Matt Wisecarver