“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.” 1 Corinthians 4:5 ESV
Reflection: spirituality speaking, who do you currently listen to and follow?
It is easy to assume, to think that each one of us are independent, free thinkers. We have our own free will. We live in a free society. We can speak our minds freely. We can watch and listen to what we want. We can go to church and worship wherever and whenever we want. We might compare our own situation to those living in oppressive cultures, where they are persecuted for their faith. Where they cannot speak their minds. Where they are told what to do. Compared to that, the western world seems to have it pretty good, right? But, let’s think about it, even with all the “freedoms” we have,
Are we really free? Meaning, are our actions representing the freedom we say we have?
So what is freedom anyway? I don’t think it is merely the idea, but more importantly the actions as a result of the given freedom. If you try to step out of line, the reaction from leaders, friends, colleagues, neighbors and society at large will tell you how free you really are. The reality is that most people are very comfortable with such a framework of freedom. And in here lies the problem. Some people will take advantage of this. Our enemy will for sure.
In chapter 4 of Corinthians, Paul talks about his important roles as an apostle, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV. And we can quickly understand why being faithful here is critical, as he is sharing, or stewarding the mysteries of God to the church in Corinth. And Paul probably didn’t realize at the time that his writings, this stewardship would be for billions of people, over thousands of years. What a massive role and responsibility, right? So how does he stay true to God’s will, and not get consumed by what people want to hear, to what might be more popular to focus on? Let’s read.
“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.” 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 ESV. We see clearly that his faithfulness is to God, not to man. That he actually doesn’t care about how he is judged in the eyes of the world, including himself. He will later explain that his faithfulness to God cost him dearly in this world. He goes on saying “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 ESV.
What Paul had heard about from reports of the church was that some leaders had started puffing themselves up, becoming boastful in the spiritual gifts they had received, individually and as a church body. That by doing so, they had gone from being stewards of the mysteries of God, to become manipulators. They were using their positions and gifts for their own gain, for their own purposes. And, as a result, the members of the congregation were getting split, which of course ultimately is the work by the enemy, through these leaders. They themselves were being manipulated.
Are you being manipulated, or are you manipulating others? God will judge the purposes of each of our hearts.
If we take an honest look at the world around us, including our churches, it is full of manipulators, and sorely lacking good stewards of truth. So what are we listening to and who are we following? What do we actually believe? What are we telling others? We must each spend time with God in His Word, and to become faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus (Yeshua).