Do teachers still give pop quizzes?

I can remember back to my days in junior and senior high school when a teacher would say something like “Put your books away and take out a clean sheet of paper and number it from 1 to 10.” These were the words that always preceded the dreaded pop quiz. 

When those words were spoken, the pulse usually quickened noticeably and a burst of adrenaline could be felt racing to the brain.  You knew that no last minute cramming was possible.  You had either been paying attention or not; you were on top of the material or you weren’t.  The moment of truth was immediate and you had to go with what you knew (or could guess with reasonable accuracy).  The dreaded pop quiz had a way of separating the sheep from the goats.

If you will indulge me, I’d like to administer a short quiz.  No paper is necessary, just mentally keep up with your answers.

1.    Has there ever been anything in your life that became so important that it became the central focal point of your existence?

2.    Have you ever made something with your hands, or bought something made by others that you just idolized?

3.    Have you ever muttered a curse that included God’s name? Even just to yourself?

4.    Have you ever let your work cause you to forget to set one day out of seven apart as a special day for God?

5.    Have you ever failed to honor your father or mother?

6.    Have you ever murdered anyone?  Probably not, but have you ever burned with hatred in your heart for someone?

7.    Have you committed adultery, or just looked at someone with lust in your heart?

8.    Have you taken something that belonged to someone else?  Even once?

9.    Have you ever made a false or misleading statement about someone else?

10. Finally, have you ever been jealous of someone else for something they possessed?

Well, I don’t know about you but I am afraid I failed that quiz.  If you consider 70% a passing grade, probably most of us would have to honestly admit to failure.

The good news is that God doesn’t grade us according to these rules.  He still desires that we live by them, but thankfully, instead of condemning us for our failures, he looks to Jesus Christ to see if we are on his list of forgiven failures.

What about you?  Is your name of his list?  Have you realized that being good can never be good enough?  If not, what is keeping you from looking into the grace, mercy, and forgiveness that Jesus bought for you on the cross?

See you at the ramp!