Betsie always passed her school exams, but this was a special one, more important for her future than any she had taken before. The stack of books on her desk might have made most students groan, but Betsie had studied them all. She checked the list. No, there was one she had ignored, but it was such an old-fashioned book that she assumed it would not be included. She was sure she would pass - well, almost. But as the exam approached there was a nagging feeling about that one book, which she really did not like anyway.
On exam day she had to report to a building where she had never been before. Of course, there would be other students waiting for the same exam. Knowing she was not alone would strengthen her courage and help control the scary feeling.
But that was not how it turned out. She was sent to a huge room where she was handed the exam sheet and a book of blank paper. She was alone except for the eyes of a teacher looking through the window in the door occasionally. She hadn’t pictured it like this. The scary feeling grew bigger.
And now while Betsie scans her exam, let’s review for another exam. God says, “Every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:1212So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:12)). God’s final exam is already scheduled, and the God of eternity will not just skim over our lives. Each of us, one by one, shall stand before God and hear His final word about us. It will be pass or fail.
Betsie’s hopes were still high until she read the question that represented 25% of the exam grade. It was based totally on the book she had ignored. Suddenly her hope of passing drained away. “Oh,” she groaned, “if only I had known that would be on the exam.”
God’s final exam will not be like that. God has no surprises for you at His final judgment, because He has already told you what will be on the exam. The Lord Jesus said, “The word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:4848He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)). How you have obeyed the Word of God will be the basis of your final judgment on that examination day. There will be no opportunity to try again. There is no other Saviour and no other hope if you reject the Lord Jesus as your Saviour.
But you still have today to accept Him.
Betsie read on, and she found that the word “OR” followed that hopeless question. It gave her a choice. There was a second question that she could substitute, and she knew she could answer it. Betsie’s hopes soared. Her brain was stuffed with all she needed to know, and her pen flew across the page.
While Betsie is busy writing her answer, please consider that, right now, you have a choice. You may today open the Word of God and read it, not to stuff your brain, but to find out what God says. Eternal life is a gift offered to you through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) says, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)). God’s offer is for sinners only, so if you will admit that you are a sinner in His sight, this offer is for you. Read other verses, such as John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) and John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24). This is the Word which will judge you on that final test day.
Betsie closed her exam book and signed her name with relief, and it was no surprise when she passed with honors. But God’s exam is not like that. You already know what will be on His final exam, and a head full of knowledge will never pass the test. God looks on the heart. He is the God who sent His only Son to die for sinners, and the same One who died on the cross will be your Judge in the last day. Will you pass or fail? It depends on whether you have accepted or rejected the Lord Jesus as your Saviour.
ML-06/11/1995