Does God grade on the curve?

My high school teachers at Perry—Ms. Florence Harrison, Ms. Carpenter, Ms. Caroline Smith, Ms. Coleman and Mr. Earl Marshall— didn’t grade on the curve, but my college teachers did so on rare occasions, particularly when a high percentage of the class failed to make a passing mark. 

When the teacher announced that the distribution of grades would conform to the statistical bell-shaped curve, the class breathed a sign of relief because a majority of those with low scores would make a passing grade.  

For example, by grading on the curve, a student who answered only 60-percent of the questions correctly — normally a D grade— would be elevated to a “C” grade or possibly a “B minus.”  Those scoring 80 to 89—a B grade— might wind up with an “A.” 

Of course, those scoring very low, say in the 20s to 40s, still received failing grades.  In effect, when normal distribution patterns are applied to class test scores skewed to the low end, poorly performing students are unduly rewarded.

Does God grade on a curve, and if He did, how would He?  Well, let’s estimate that each person averages one-decision every hour to do either the right thing or the wrong thing.  That estimate produces 24-decisions a day.  Of course the right thing could be a smile and not a frown or the wrong thing could be failing to help someone in need. We are talking about sins of commission as well as omission. 

To make a passing score of 70-percent or a “C” grade based on 24 daily decisions, a total of 17 decisions must result in actions that produce righteous behavior in keeping with God’s moral laws. By grading on the curve, a majority of those making less than 70-percent of their decisions righteously might wind up with passing grades.  

Although this grading system might sound good and compensate for our sinful nature, God’s word does not allow this option.  James 2:10 stipulates “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”  Romans 3:22 confirms that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Consequently, the scriptural ground rules disallow any tolerance of sin.  

Therefore, we are all “F” students in God’s eyes and no one, regardless of how saintly, can hope to please God.  No wonder the Apostle Paul exclaimed, “What a wretched man am I. Who will deliver me from this body of sin and death?”  Then Paul supplied the answer, “Thanks be to God, Jesus Christ our Lord will.”  

God’s wrath does not await those who walk with Christ Jesus in faith for He has already paid the penalty for our sins. Therefore, when we stand before the final judgment, God will not view us as the sinful creatures we really are, but will see us clothed in the righteousness of Christ.