PERFECT AND IMPERFECT JUDGMENT

Believers have been given the ability to discern and judge. We should recognise the fact that we have the Holy Spirit in us and the mind of Christ.

“The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16).

To think otherwise is to shortchange ourselves. In fact, Paul teaches that in future we will be judging the world and angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3). What an awesome responsibility lies ahead of us. So we’d better get cracking – while we are still on earth we should exercise our God-given ability to judge.

Three instances when we are called upon to judge: http://bit.ly/19KGDgH

But lest we get swollen-headed, we need to acknowledge the fact that our judgment is, at best, imperfect. We all have blind spots. We must not think we have the last word on judgment.

While we have been empowered with the ability to judge, we need to acknowledge that our judgment is not infallible:

“Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

Only the Judge of judges will be able to deliver the ultimate verdict regarding a person’s character or so-called good works. Hidden motives behind a person’s actions will then be exposed.

For we will all have to stand before Him one day and give an account as to how we have lived our lives:

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Will our works be able to stand the test of fire?

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Who knows, He might even “spew us out from His mouth”, like the judgment He pronounced over the church at Laodicea?

“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Let us not be deceived us by those who say that Christians will not have to face judgment:

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” (1 Peter 4:17-18).