THAT WHICH IS DONE IN THE DARK WILL BE BROUGHT TO THE LIGHT

PROCLAMATION

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until The Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart;  And then shall every man have praise of God.”  1 Corinthians 4:5 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul began this chapter by telling the people that they should regard all of the apostles and leaders as servants of Christ. (1 Corinthians 4:1)  He said that those entrusted with leadership positions must be proven faithful and that it is The Lord God who will judge them. (1 Corinthians 4:2-4)  The Lord will judge the leaders, and everyone else.  He will bring to light all of the things which were done in darkness.  He will also expose the motives for every action and spoken word.  Those who are worthy of praise will receive it from God. (1 Corinthian 4:5)  Do not think of yourselves beyond what is written, then you will not think that you are better than one another. (1 Corinthians 4:6-13)  Paul states that he was writing this letter not to shame them but to warn them.  He said that he became their father in Christ and urged them to imitate him. (1 Corinthians 4:14-16)  He sent Timothy to minister to them and to remind them of the things that he had taught them, for some of them had become arrogant. (1 Corinthians 4:17-18)  When he comes to them, he will see what kind of power they have.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:19-21)

 

APPLICATION

We really should not judge people because we are not qualified.  We do not have all of the relevant information available to us upon which to base a just decision.  We can only hear what is said and see what is done in our presence.  (Recordings can be so easily manipulated.)  We have no idea of the thought processes or motives which were behind them.  Only The Lord God can see the heart and the mind, (Jeremiah 20:12) and only He has all of the information about a person which is necessary in order to judge him justly. (Hebrews 10:30)  All of the things which were done in the dark will be brought to light.  One day we will have to give an account of our stewardship (Luke 16:2) including every thought, deed, and spoken word. (Matthew 12:36)  We will all stand before Christ. (Romans 14:10-12)  Don’t believe the people who say, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.”