I'm glad God doesn't grade on a bell curve!

In the 6th grade, we had so many students the school decided to house all of us in one large classroom, but to make the classes more manageable, that huge group of students was divided into 3 separate units, each taught by a separate teacher. Each teacher specialized in a certain area, and they would tag team teach. We had our assigned homeroom teacher but benefited from the knowledge and expertise of the other teachers, too. 

Mrs. Compton, Mrs. Lee, and Mrs. Sass were the names of the teachers. I was assigned to Mrs. Compton’s class. I was thankful because she was my favorite of all three. She was younger and prettier. And back then, role models were important as we grew in our identities. 

Back then, teachers wanted their students to learn. They wanted us to master each concept taught and did their best to help us accomplish that, but sometimes, we struggled. For me, struggles came with math, while English and Social Studies were easy. 

Our teachers were kind and gracious. They did their best to help us when we needed extra attention. Every week we were tested on one or more of our subjects. Tests were used to help teachers ascertain our growth. 

I don’t remember when it started, but for some reason, our teachers began using the bell curve. It was a grading system used to provide fairness and while I still don’t understand it fully, here’s my take on it from what I remember way back then... 

We were given a math test. I have no clue whether it was over long division, fractions, or what but when the tests were taken up and graded, the teacher wasn’t pleased. Though some of the students aced the test, others didn’t. And though there were a good many students who would do fairly well, the teacher felt the need to grade on a curve. Since I was one of the students who didn’t do so well on that test, I was thankful. Being graded on a curve meant I didn’t fail and being the typical type A overachiever, perfectionist type person I have always been, failing would have devasted me back then. Some of my friends were grateful to have the bell curve system in place, too. Others felt it unfair because they’d studied hard and had excelled on the test. The teacher explained the grading process as she handed back our tests with both the original grade (the one we’d earned before being slipped beneath the bell) and the revised grade (the one that bumped us up a notch due to the average of all classroom grades for that test.) 

Thinking back on that today, I tried my best to understand how I would have felt if I’d been in that top category. Would I have felt it unfair to have a classmate who’d earned a failing grade be given leniency? I probably would have. I was raised old school – hard work pays off, you get what you deserve, a job well done should be rewarded…you know all those old euphemisms. 

And that’s when it hit, I’m so glad Jesus doesn’t grade on a bell curve. Yes, I just said that but keep reading. He is full of grace and mercy. He always wants the best for us, but He is also a just God. He’s given us free will to choose life or death. If we choose Him, we get that A+, well done good and faithful servant. If we don’t, we fail – we receive eternal damnation. There’s no middle ground, no second chances. 

How can we know how we’ll do on the ultimate test- the test of character and faith? The only way we can know is to understand we can’t ever pass the test on our own. Our own merits aren’t good enough. No matter how hard we try, we can never keep the 10 commandments. God knew that when He gave them to us, and that’s why He sent His Son, to die for our sins. Breaking the law requires payment and the only payment worthy of forgiveness and acceptance is the blood of Jesus Christ. 

But it’s super easy to make the grade. All you have to do is say yes to Jesus. Saying yes tells Him you agree that you’re not good enough to get into heaven on your own merits and you understand, He can’t let you slide in (no bell curve, remember!). We’re all going to be held accountable for our actions, so we need to make a conscious decision to accept the sacrificial gift Jesus gave us on the cross. When we do that, we also have to see our poor choices (sins) in the proper light. Breaking one of God’s laws (the 10 commandments) is the same as breaking all of them, according to the Bible. 

What would it have looked like for Jesus to give Himself completely for us to obtain righteousness if God had looked down on the cross from heaven and said, “Never mind, we’ll just let them all in, no matter what”? What kind of God would that be? One without standards, that’s the kind of God that would be. 

God created us to love, honor, and obey Him. He has and always will have absolute authority over us, but He gives us free will. We can follow His commands and learn His statues, or we can completely fail to do either. The choice is ours. 

Bell curves are probably still in use today in some schools, I really don’t know, but I can’t say I believe they’re a good thing. When I was in 6th grade, I thought they were pretty cool, now, not so much. I’m so glad God wants more for us that to let us ease into heaven by the skin of our teeth. I wouldn’t want a God Who didn’t want the very best for us, would you? 

Joshua 24:14-15 “Choose this day whom you will serve.”

2 Timothy 2:15, which reads: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Acts 16:31 And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household

Everyday Devotionals Bonnie Annis