Post by John on Mar 21, 2019 16:37:55 GMT -5
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Interesting passage here. Paul refers to himself and his fellow servants as "ministers of the mysteries of God." That is exactly what we are doing when we minister truth from God's Word. We are literally sharing things that were once mysteries, hidden from the people. We are told that a steward must be found faithful. It is not like a lightening bolt will come down and strike someone dead who isn't faithful in doing the work they were called to. It is just that God takes note of how we handle what is committed to our trust, and if we are not faithful, it will cost us rewards we could have had in store for us in the world to come.
Paul says it is a small thing if he should be judged of man. This is for good reason, as all judgment has been left in the hands of Christ so men will honor him. My judgement of others has no eternal consequences. The judgement of those who serve idols has no weight. Allah, the god of the Muslims won't be sitting on the throne. Paul can do self assessments and can judge others, but the Lord is the one who will judge him and decide if he enters into the joys of the Lord or is a castaway. The Lord will hand out rewards for the faithful.
For that reason, Paul says we should judge nothing before the time. We can see what is in front of our eyes, but we don't know a person's heart. In addition to that, we don't know the end from the beginning, but God does. Many who start out right fall away, and many who start out in compromise or outright sin will eventually turn to the Lord with their whole heart. The Lord will one day return and bring to light those hidden works of darkness men tried to conceal. He will also make known the heart of the righteous, that they will have praise of God. In this life, you may be praised of men, but that has no lasting value. It plays to our ego now, but compared to the praise of God, it is a small thing.
We all have different callings and gifts. Still, if we are sharing knowledge of the Word of God, we must be found faithful if we want to please the one who called us.
Interesting passage here. Paul refers to himself and his fellow servants as "ministers of the mysteries of God." That is exactly what we are doing when we minister truth from God's Word. We are literally sharing things that were once mysteries, hidden from the people. We are told that a steward must be found faithful. It is not like a lightening bolt will come down and strike someone dead who isn't faithful in doing the work they were called to. It is just that God takes note of how we handle what is committed to our trust, and if we are not faithful, it will cost us rewards we could have had in store for us in the world to come.
Paul says it is a small thing if he should be judged of man. This is for good reason, as all judgment has been left in the hands of Christ so men will honor him. My judgement of others has no eternal consequences. The judgement of those who serve idols has no weight. Allah, the god of the Muslims won't be sitting on the throne. Paul can do self assessments and can judge others, but the Lord is the one who will judge him and decide if he enters into the joys of the Lord or is a castaway. The Lord will hand out rewards for the faithful.
For that reason, Paul says we should judge nothing before the time. We can see what is in front of our eyes, but we don't know a person's heart. In addition to that, we don't know the end from the beginning, but God does. Many who start out right fall away, and many who start out in compromise or outright sin will eventually turn to the Lord with their whole heart. The Lord will one day return and bring to light those hidden works of darkness men tried to conceal. He will also make known the heart of the righteous, that they will have praise of God. In this life, you may be praised of men, but that has no lasting value. It plays to our ego now, but compared to the praise of God, it is a small thing.
We all have different callings and gifts. Still, if we are sharing knowledge of the Word of God, we must be found faithful if we want to please the one who called us.