DE JA VOU - A PASSING GRADE

“So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then.” (1 Peter 1:14 NIV)

During my freshman year of high school, I took an economics class. Even though I paid attention, took notes and studied, I had a difficult time grasping the concepts. When it came time to take the test, I failed. But, this teacher understood how to help me learn. The next day in class he handed the same test to each of us who had failed. The second time I received a mediocre grade. Knowing I had improved but believing I could do better, he handed me the test a third time. It was during this attempt that I received an A.

At this point the excitement of being given a third chance overshadowed any embarrassment of failing the first time. This teacher understood that each time I took the test I remembered more of my previous answers and that allowed me to pass with flying colors.

During the course of my 43 years, I have experienced the same grace of God when I make those failing choices. Sometimes I get it right on the first try. But, it’s during those “been here before” moments if I live on guard, stay alert and live with a clear head, I get a second—even third, or fourth—opportunity to pass God’s test that I failed on the first try.

Now that I have a real relationship with Christ, I desire to live in a new way…not slipping back into old patterns just to satisfy my own desires. When an old temptation comes my way, I attempt to weigh my choices against what the Bible says and make a better choice than before. Sometimes I pass on the first attempt. But, if I don’t, I can rest assured that God will give me another chance to receive a passing grade.

We must protect our choices by putting on the armor of faith and wearing the helmet of salvation being confident of our salvation and recognize that God needs to lead the decisions at every turn. It is only then we receive an A—which earns us the opportunity to move to the next level…where the questions get harder….because we know better now.