The Lord’s Judgement About You Really Matters And Here is Why (6th Blogging Anniversary)

Today is a special day. I completed 6 years of blogging by God’s grace.

As I am writing this, I am in Alapuzha at my wife’s native place. Her house is situated near the bank of a stream. It’s a very scenic place. Early in the morning, I went out to the bank of the lake for reading the Bible. It was a great spiritual experience. I would like to share with you the message which I received as I was reading and pondering over the below passage

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (I Cor 4: 3-5)

Paul speaks to the Corinthian church believers about judgements. Paul explains why the judgements of others matter little compared to the judgement of his Master Jesus Christ.

He speaks about 4 kinds of judgement: Judgement by his dear ones, judgement by the public, judgement by ones own self and judgement by Christ. Let’s have a look at these.

Judgement by our dear ones

I care very little if I am judged by you

First Paul speaks about the judgement by his fellow believers. The root word used for judge here is anakrinó which means the process of careful study, evaluation and judgment.

We are constantly being examined, evaluated and judged by our dear ones: Family and Friends. As illustrated below, they can see our public life (words + actions) and a part of our personal life since they are close to us. Therefore their judgments are based on what they know, which need not be fully right. Let us respect them but take to heart only what really matters.

Judgement by the public

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court;

Secondly, Paul talks about the judgement by the public about him. They see our public view (word+actions) but they barely know our personal life, thoughts and motives. Hence their judgments can go wrong.

Judgment by our own self

indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.

Thirdly, Paul speaks about his own judgement. He barely trusts his own judgement because even if he finds his conscience clear, there could be some areas in his own life that are not known to him.

Judgement by the Lord

 It is the Lord who judges me.

Finally, Paul speaks about the judgment by the Lord, which can be trusted 100%. The Lords sees everything clearly.

The Lord’s judgment really matters and here is why!

He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God

The Lord knows our inner motives and even what we have thought in our wildest dreams. He knows our purposes and prayers. Therefore the judgement by Jesus Christ matters the most.

Paul was really focused on what Jesus Christ thought about him. He was eagerly waiting to receive praise from God. Hence he was striving towards a life that is pleasing to God. How high the standard he set for himself!

Let us be careful

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.

It would be foolish to jump to conclusions about others because we only know a little about them. Let us be careful next time, we think about passing judgement upon others. Chances are there that it could go easily wrong. Let us fear God knowing that the Lord will bring everything to light.