1 Corinthians 4 (Pt 4)

1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV)

[5] Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

Significance is not found in who serves us, but in whom we serve. As servants of God and stewards of his mysteries we are called to be faithful. But, who decides what it means to be faithful? The Apostle writes that it is a “very small thing” to him if he is judged by others. In fact, he does not even judge himself (see 1 Cor 4:3-4). Why? Because human judgment is fallible. We cannot see the heart. Notice two truths here in 1 Corinthians 4:5. First, when the Lord judges he “will bring to light the things now hidden . . . the purposes of the heart” God judges thoughts and intentions, not just actions. Second, notice that “each one will receive his commendation,” not condemnation.

These two truths ought to affect how we view and treat others. We may prefer one style of teaching above another. We may enjoy one type of ministry more than another. We may disapprove of how an individual leads or lives. But these two truths change everything. God will judge them according to the hidden things of their heart, things we cannot see or know. And, God will commend them.

We often act as though we can read other’s motives by their actions. After all, doesn’t the Bible say, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Mt 7:16)? 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that “the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Fruit of an individual’s life may reveal something about their heart, but we cannot see their heart clearly. Only God has that ability. We need to stop judging that which we cannot know.

That one is hard for us to accept and practice, but the second truth builds on it. God will commend them. We want God to condemn them. When we think we know the heart of an individual, we then think that we know the appropriate punishment. But that is the point of what Paul wrote in the previous chapter, “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved” (1 Cor 3:15). For believers there is the assurance that what we have done out of impure motives will be burned up. Only the commendations are left when we stand before the Judge. That one we are so angry at will be commended right along with us. That which he/she did wrong will be burned up right along with our anger.

Maybe it is time we stopped judging others and started showing them some grace, that same grace God has shown us. Their sins under washed clean by the blood of the Lamb the same as ours. They may have inflicted pain, but only God knows their true motives. Whether we are talking about leaders in the church, or those sitting next to us in the pew, God will deal with it. It is time we let it go.