Judging

Judging

"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 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." 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Why do we think that so many pastors and leaders are being exposed in their sins? This passage tells us very simply why this is happening. It is another sign of the times. God is cleaning up His Church; His Bride.

Pastors and leaders beware – according to this scripture you are “entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.” You are also told that the Lord Himself “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” When the judgement comes the Lord will judge the church first – and first of the first, He will judge the shepherds.

When God exposes sin in His church, it is not only to shame those in the wrong but also for them to repent and be brought back into right ways again. Importantly, it is NOT a place of judgement for us to condemn – it is a place only for us to forgive even as God forgives. After all, “there but for God’s grace go you and I.”