HEART PURPOSE

1 Corinthians 4:4-5

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. 1 Corinthians 4:4-5

Paul's message reminds us that it is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that other people have the same thoughts and motivations that we do. That makes it so tempting to judge them when they act in ways that are contrary to what seems right to us. We are only deceiving ourselves when we think we know what's going on in another person's head. In reality, we often don't even understand ourselves, much less other people. Because of that, I believe it is best for us not to be too quick to judge others, and this is especially true when it comes to other believers.

We have each been entrusted to serve Christ in some way. And we are answerable to Him for our faithfulness to that calling. While I believe I am serving faithfully, in the end, it is the Lord who will judge the quality of my faithfulness. If I am not really qualified to judge myself, how much less am I qualified to judge the faithfulness of other believers? When Paul writes:

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time before the Lord comes. It's just a reminder to us that we see all throughout scripture: we never need to forget that justice is only rightly seen in the long term. Not in the short term or in the specific time.

There are all kinds of examples where we might look at a situation and say: "Where's the justice in that?" Or maybe we even think justice doesn't prevail. But in the large arc of the universe, justice prevails. We know where the whole story is headed in the end, so we trust God's timing as the Just One. But then, there's another part of these verses that I want to home in on. When Paul says: "Before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart." So judgment does not just involve actions, things we do. But, purposes, ambitions, what's in the heart, things we desire. And that reality is convicting to the core.

I can think about all kinds of things I could do that would be, at least on the outside, look good and right, and even God-honoring. But I can have sinful purposes in my heart amidst good actions and deeds. Just take a simple example: I could write a devotional on God's word in a way that draws people to Christ or builds up people in their faith and glorifies God.

But in my heart, I can do that work with a desire for man's applause, with a desire that people would think well of me, with a concern about my reputation. All kinds of sinful desires, sinful purposes, selfish purposes, can be in my heart in the most holy of acts, and that's just one example. All across our lives, the purposes of our hearts matter. I guess that's the point. As these verses point out, the purposes of our hearts matter. Let's show grace and mercy to each other and leave judgment in the Lord's hands!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for the faithful ministry of Paul who was used to write scriptures which contain important information on how to walk in spirit and truth, and to live a life that honors Your name. Lord, let your abundant blessings flow like a river over my friends and family today. Lord, thank You that Paul was not only faithful in teaching the gospel of grace, but he also was ready and willing to challenge and correct ungodly issues in the congregation at the risk of damaging their relationships with him. Lord, we pray that like Paul, we too may be faithful in the work You have called us to do and bring honor to Your Holy Name by the words we say and the life we live. Lord use my friends to be someone's blessing today.

Father, we love You. Amen.