Seeking to Save Others and Serve their Judge
[1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. [3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. [4] For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. [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.
It’s easy to make judgments so fast. I struggle with it like crazy. Either in course joking humor or silent passivity, it’s all too easy to judge someone by the actions we see or the clothes they wear.
Paul opens this thought in the context of outsiders judging Christians. He’s framing this all in a discussion of how the Corinthian church is judging one another and how the society around them is pressuring them. It’s the same thing we struggle with today!
Paul’s bottom line is that we should be faithful to Christ, and Christ is the One and Only Judge. We don’t even have the right to bring judgment about ourselves or opinions about whether we’re awesome or whether we stink. Romans 8:1 says there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. That means any condemning self-talk we have for ourselves isn’t from God. It’s a lie from the devil.
As we grow in our faith in Christ and His completed work of salvation, we come to grow and realize that all judgment is left up to Him. He’s the one that died for all sins, not us. He knows every sin He died for. When we look at that guy being a jerk to his family or that woman abandoning her kids for her own pursuits, Jesus knows what is going on. Jesus knows the details, and He knows what He died for.
If my moods change based on how crispy the crust is on my party pizza, how can I be a trustworthy judge of people’s eternal destiny? The Lord will bring all things to light and show every secret good and bad thing for what it is. That trust turns us into stewards and servants, not mini-judges. Let us wield our powers with grace and wisdom. We were called to serve the judge, not judge those that the Judge is hoping to save.
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