"If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:8-10
Wouldn't it be great if God graded on a curve? Do you remember that from school? "Grading on a curve means that you (as a student) and your grade in an exam was relative to the grades of your classmates. While it’s not required for all teachers to practice curving on a grade, plenty of teachers in all types of formal education do this when they think it’s necessary to help more students pass. When a teacher grades on a curve, they adjust their class’ scores accordingly so that those who need the grade boost will get it and pass without these changes becoming unfair to those who scored high." (How Does Grading On A Curve Work?, ThroughEducation, December 29, 2019)
In a similar way, we might hope that God would lower the bar so we won't fail. But He won't. We very much want to rationalize our sin. Make excuses for it - maybe ignore it. We make comparisons with other people to justify it. We focus on the good things we do and minimize those times when we fall short of the glory of God. We think, maybe God will feel sorry for us. I mean, compared to other people, really bad people, I am an upstanding citizens. Maybe God will give us a brake and let us pass - even though we don't have a passing score.
"Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding." 2 Corinthians 10:12
If we compare ourselves to others to establish ourselves as being righteous - then we are without understanding. In other words, we don't get it!
"What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God." - Romans 3:9-11
Our righteousness comes by way of faith and Jesus' sacrifice. He received the judgement for our sin. Unmerited favor. That means there is nothing we can do to earn a "passing grade". It is a faith gift. Jesus took your failing grade as His own and you were passed and advanced to heaven.
Be careful that you don't trivialize your sin. Or worse try to hide it. You may fool others - especially if your sins are in your heart and not acted upon.
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults[d] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. ... You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." - Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28
It is impossible for us to pass the test apart from Jesus. Jesus took the test has passed the test for us - for all those who believe that Jesus is the Way and Truth and Life.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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