Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. —1 Corinthians 4:5
Paul described this aspect of God: the glad-hearted Judge. Paul was addressing the Corinthians, the most carnal church we know of in the first century. Only the Laodiceans in the next generation rivaled them in carnality. Paul exhorted the Corinthians, "Do not judge anything before the time when the Lord comes." In other words, "Don't make final evaluations toward people or even yourselves." He distrusted his inability to accurately judge even his own heart. Then he dropped a bomb by telling the Corinthians that God will someday reveal the things hidden in darkness and in the secret counsels of their hearts. You can almost hear the gasp: "Oh no! We're in for some big-time punishment." Yet they had not heard Paul's full message. In the next sentence he zigged when they thought he was going to zag.
{ PRAYER STARTER }
How amazing that when I stand before You in judgment You will reveal the hidden things of my heart. It's amazing because Your Word tells me that You will rejoice over me with gladness, not punish me in anger.
When God judges us, he doesn't fume with
frustration and anger.
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