Only God Knows

Read 1 Corinthians 1:1–4:21

1. Look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries.
2. Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.
3. As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.
4. My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Long division is a math skill that most students greatly dislike. Those who are really good at math may tolerate it, but few ever love it.

What is tolerable in the field of math is destructive in the body of Christ. No one knows this better than Paul. In this reading, Paul addresses the problem of division in the Corinthian church. What once was one church has now split into four. Paul pleads with them to stop arguing and to start getting along—a relevant message for today’s church also. As you read, consider the potential for division in your church, and determine to be one who brings peace and unity in the body.

The Corinthian church had split because the believers there thought they could judge people’s motives. Individuals had rallied around certain “superstar” preachers (Paul, Peter, Apollos, and others) and had formed groups within the church based on who followed whom. The groups argued with each other over whose leader was the best Christian. But all this conflict depended on their ability to judge the hearts and motives of others—which they could not do. Paul urged them to stop judging one another, to rally around Christ, and to let God decide who served him faithfully and who did not (1 Corinthians 4:1-5).

Believers today should learn a lesson from the Corinthians. We should beware of judging others. This does not mean that we should avoid confronting those who sin (5:12-13). But we ought to stay away from judging who is a better servant for Christ. When judgments like this are made, we cast ourselves in God’s role, which we do not have a right to play. Only God knows a person’s heart, and only he has the right to judge.