Thought of the Day 11.25.08

As a former teacher, I despise “default-A” grading, the idea that every student starts with a perfect score and mistakes his way down to a final grade. It always seemed absurd that a student deserved an A unless shown otherwise merely because he signed up for a class. Instead, I believe he begins with a zero and earns his way up, not being entitled to anything.

Default-A thinking also shows up in people’s ideas about sin, making them believe they naturally satisfy God until they violate a rule. But a life lived without violations is still a life lived without merit. And if you could have ever done more good things in your life than you did, then that means you haven’t scored 100 in a course where the only passing grade is perfection. Hence, you need a Savior.

Jesus wasn’t just the only Person in history to do no wrong. He was also the only Person in history to do enough good to fully satisfy God’s grading system.