JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME
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"THEREFORE JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, WHO WILL BOTH BRING TO LIGHT THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS AND REVEAL THE COUNSELS OF THE HEARTS. Then each one's praise will come from God."
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NKJV)
Comment: The final and ultimate Judgement will come from God. This is the reason why no one should rejoice at what people say; the accolades and praises of men. Apostle Paul in this epistle says he does not know anything against himself, that is, he knows nothing he had done wrong, yet, he said he was not justified by it: "I KNOW OF NO WRONG I HAVE DONE, BUT THIS DOES NOT MAKE ME RIGHT BEFORE THE LORD. THE LORD IS THE ONE WHO JUDGES ME" (1 Corinthians 4:4 New Century Version).
God, the Lord, is the One Who judges him. Thus, the admonition in this passage: "SO BE CAREFUL NOT TO JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS BEFORE THE LORD RETURNS AS TO WHETHER SOMEONE IS A GOOD SERVANT OR NOT. WHEN THE LORD COMES, HE WILL TURN ON THE LIGHT SO THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE EXACTLY WHAT EACH ONE OF US IS REALLY LIKE, DEEP DOWN IN OUR HEARTS. THEN EVERYONE WILL KNOW WHY WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE LORD'S WORK. AT THAT TIME GOD WILL GIVE TO EACH ONE WHATEVER PRAISE IS COMING TO HIM" (1 Corinthians 4:5 the Living Bible).
The church or the people of the world might say you are the best gospel singer, or the best preacher or teacher of the Bible, they might even give you a title and an award for it, but you just wait until the Lord comes, we will then know the reality or truth of the whole matter. The admonition is, let your praise come from God. When God uses you to do exploits, people tend to celebrate you, and to some extent, they may want to see you as incomparable, even idolize you. But you as a believer should know that without Him; God, Jesus Christ, you can but do nothing: “I AM THE VINE, YOU ARE THE BRANCHES. HE WHO ABIDES IN ME, AND I IN HIM, BEARS MUCH FRUIT; FOR WITHOUT ME [Jesus] YOU CAN DO NOTHING" (John 15:5 NKJV).
If you listened to sycophants, you may be praised and be moved against God Who enabled you to do whatever you may have been doing. Wisdom demands that the praises, accolades, and eulogies of whatever achievement of yours should be given to God. Peace.
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