Grading on a Curve

Bill Brinkworth

Grading on a Curve

I loved it in school, when the teacher graded us on a curve. It was a grading system that did not use standard percentages, but was comparing our grades to the best grades in the class.

At one time, the best grade in the class was a 75%. It was then that my normally failing grade of 59% became a “C.” “Alright,” I sighed. I was not as bad, as I figured I was.

The truth of the matter was I still did not perform the way I should have on the test, just because the standards were lowered. I still did not know the material. I may have gotten away with not failing, but I had fallen short of what I should have expected of myself.

Too many today compare themselves to others in similar fashion when we hear them say:

“I’m not as bad as he is.”
“I don’t lie that much.”
“I just drink a little, but I’m not a drunk.”
“Yes, I’ve stolen, but I’m not a thief.”
“I do look at other women, but I’m not unfaithful or lusting, like those men are.”
“I say bad words, but I wouldn’t consider myself as filthy-mouthed as some I know.”
“I do lose my temper, but not as badly as I’ve seen others do.”
“I have gossiped, but just a little. I wouldn’t consider myself a gossip like so-and-so.”
“Sure, I’ve talked back to my parents; but that’s not the sin of disobedience to parents."

Again, the truth was that all instances of wrongdoing were still wrong. Justification of one’s bad actions does not make them correct. It just eases the guilt and conviction — sometimes.

Others should not be the standard of measurement for righteousness. How can we judge what is right or wrong? We are sinners like everyone else. We have no right to do the judging, but God does. He has never sinned and hates sin. Ultimately, He will be the judge of our sins — especially if one is unsaved.

To God, all sin is bad. All sin displeases Him, and much of the time, cuts off our communication with Him.

Here are some examples of what the Bible says about God’s perspective of comparing ourselves to others:

We do not always see our own weaknesses, as Revelation 3:17 reminds us: “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”. We sometimes fool those around us, but God knows our sinfulness.
One group of religious leaders tried to grade themselves at the top of the “curve.” Jesus said to them however, “… Ye are they which justify your selves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” (Luke 16:15)
To another group of self-righteous people, Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)
When a group had gathered and was ready to punish an adulteress for her sin, Jesus said, “... He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
We should not compare ourselves to other sinners. We should compare ourselves to the only one that has never sinned, Jesus. We will then find we can never measure up.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”Romans 3:23

In good education, grading on a curve is a poor way to truly measure performance. It is also pretentious of us to compare ourselves to others. Wrong is still wrong no matter what degree of “wrong” is committed. God does not grade us on a curve. He judges us by His standards, not ours. He always wants us to do right, and He does the “grading”!

“God’s Word should be our only measuring tool of righteousness.”

This article was featured in The Bible View #84.