By David ReayThursday 5 Nov 2015LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 0 minutes
Transcript:
Read 1 Corinthians 4:5
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. (NLT)
Most of us know of people who were once active members of a church and who seemed to profess Christian faith and who have subsequently dropped out of Christian circles altogether. We find ourselves wondering whether they were ever Christians in the first place; whether they have abandoned their once genuine faith; or whether they are just in a prodigal phase and will come back in time.
The truth is that we can’t finally know. Paul reminds us that only God knows the hearts of others. Trying to assess whether someone is destined for heaven or the alternative is unwise. We may certainly form some sort of conclusions in regards to those we know. We can have assurance of our own salvation. But making firm and fixed decisions about others’ spiritual status is beyond our competence.
We leave such people in the hands of our just and merciful God who can be trusted to do what is right and who knows the secrets of others’ hearts. We pray for them and do what we can about demonstrating the love of Jesus towards them. But we dare not dogmatically assume they are non-Christians or apostates. Some things are simply beyond our knowledge.
Blessings
David Reay