Be Careful Not to Judge Before Jesus Returns!

The Nature of True Apostleship

1 Corinthians 4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 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.

In the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians Paul is admonishing the Corinthians because they are still acting worldly.  The presenting problem is that they are judging their leaders by outward appearances, rather than the inside of their hearts which only God can see.  They were getting prideful by being in one clique or another often based on the leader's popularity.  They became very judgmental of those outside their tribe and thought they were holier because of it.  In addition they tended to look down on the apostle Paul, sometimes disputing whether or not he was really a "true apostle".  

As you read in chapter 4, Paul uses a lot of sarcasm to "defend" himself. At the end of the day, Paul is not really all that concerned about the Corinthians' opinion of him.  Of course he cares in the sense that he has helped lead them to Christ, which is why he is so concerned about their worldliness.  But he is ultimately only accountable to the One who has called him and entrusted him with the gospel.  Paul has an "audience of One".  

Paul concludes it is not until the end of time when Jesus returns that true judgment will come to all people.  When Jesus returns each person's work will be evaluated with the motives in which it was done. Paul is content that his heart is in the right place as he strives to serve God wholeheartedly but he also admits only God can judge his work as well.  He is hoping the Corinthians will take their eyes off of the personality of their leader and instead look at the Jesus their ultimate spiritual leader.  After all we are all flawed, and it is only as we allow Jesus to work through us can people see Christ clearly.  We must continually decrease so Jesus can increase.  

When do your motives for serving Christ become more about you than Him?  How can you tell when you are serving out of pride, or from a grateful heart?  How are you susceptible to trusting in human personalities rather than God?    

One day Jesus will return and our works will be revealed for what they are.  Like Paul may we be faithful with what God has entrusted to us and receive the praise we deserve!