Devotionals

We Qualify

by Susan Barnes 
09/17/17
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"God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Students may be familiar with the expression, "to grade on a curve", in reference to exam results. If an exam is particularly difficult the lecturer may lower the pass mark to allow a certain percentage of students to pass the exam. This means the students’ result, instead of reflecting how well they did on the exam, actually reflects how well they performed in comparison to the other students.

Some think God "grades on a curve." Since they are good people who donate to worthwhile causes, they don't murder or steal, therefore they believe God will allow them into his heaven. The bad news is God doesn't "grade on a curve". God has failed everyone. Romans 3:23 tells us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." We all failed to make a passing grade. However the good news is Jesus passed. He scored a perfect 100%. Now we have the opportunity of qualifying by being "in him." By choosing to accept his perfect sacrifice for our sins, we enter into a relationship, where he lives in us and we live in him.

Paul explains this when he writes, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13-14). We are brought into his kingdom of love and grace.

We couldn’t earn a better mark, but by being in Christ we “become the righteousness of God.” We are awarded a perfect score. And that’s amazing grace.