Around the turn of the seventeenth century, when I was in elementary school, we had a somewhat peculiar grading system. I don’t know if it was a current fad or an attempt to minimize the effect of having young minds stigmatized by grade classification, but here’s the way it went: You received an “O” for outstanding work, “S” for satisfactory work, “U” for unsatisfactory work. There may have been an “I” for incomplete as well.

As I remember it, this grading system lasted until the 5th or 6th grade. After that the system changed to the tried and true “A-F” markings. Most students I know, and certainly their parents would rather see “A’s” and “B’s” on the report card than “D’s” and “F’s.” “C’s” are rather like eating cold oatmeal…not very exciting or tasty.

But when it comes to evaluating the Christian’s walk with the Lord, or the level of his spiritual maturity, let me propose that the grade we’re really striving for is a “D.” First, “D” as in devotion, or delight. Consider Psalm 37:7, “Delight yourself in the Lord…” Jesus told his followers that the first/primary commandment was to love the Lord your God will all your heart; that is, personal devotion to the Lord.

Another “D” to seek is discipline. Paul would say, “…discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” (I Timothy 4:7) Most of us would admit that when the rubber hits the road, one factor more than any other keeps us from growth in our Christian walk: discipline.

One other “D” that should be a measure of our walk with the Lord is disciple. It is a word that is dominant in the NT (used over 260 times); it is used minimally in the OT (only three times and only in Isaiah). The essence of the term is found in Matthew 8:23, “…His disciples followed him.” A disciple is one who follows the teaching of another (leader).

Paul gives us further instruction about the value of this Christian concept without using the word “disciple” in II Timothy 2:2: The things which you have heard of me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Disciples of the Lord and Paul are not satisfied with being discipled; they choose to disciple others also… “faithful” others!

There is yet one final “D” that I would recommend: dedication. One of the most poignant and practical uses of the term is given to us by Hannah in the OT: “So I have dedicated him to the Lord. As long as he lives he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” These words she spoke of her son Samuel. The context also teaches us that worship is or at least can be a part of our dedication to the Lord (I Samuel 1:28).

If you chose these “D’s” as your goal of spiritual development in your life, I think it would be a report card that the Lord would be pleased to have you bring to him!

Pastor Megilligan