“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. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 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” (1Co 4:3-5).
Regarding our judgment, there is no earthly court capable of making perfect judgments. Paul acknowledges that even though he is not aware of any guilt, this does not absolve him. He knows only the Lord can judge us righteously.
So, let us not judge man’s heart in man’s day. Leave that judgment for the Lord at His coming. Of course, that does not mean we are not to judge behavior. Clearly there are times when the church must judge. Paul, in this same letter, does just that.
“It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father's wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present” (1Co 5:1-3).
Even in this case, it should be noted that this was not a judgment unto condemnation. “In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1Co 5:4-5). Notice, Paul leaves the final judgment of the heart to God.
More can be said on this topic, but suffice it to say, do not set yourself up as a judge of man’s motives. Yes, deal with visible sin in the church, but leave the final judgment to God. Amen.
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