Using the Power of the Spirit to Make Right Judgments

1 Cor 4:1-15
Brothers and sisters:
Thus should one regard us: as servants of Christ
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Now it is of course required of stewards
that they be found trustworthy.
It does not concern me in the least
that I be judged by you or any human tribunal;
I do not even pass judgment on myself;
I am not conscious of anything against me,
but I do not thereby stand acquitted;
the one who judges me is the Lord.
Therefore do not make any judgment before the appointed time,
until the Lord comes,
for he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness
and will manifest the motives of our hearts,
and then everyone will receive praise from God.

Judgment is defined as “the cognitive process of reaching a decision or drawing conclusions.”(http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:judgement&sa=X&ei=PD9qTcjHKYa0lQeP_PD-AQ&ved=0CBcQkAE).

As human beings, we make decisions and draw conclusions constantly. Yet in the reading, Paul is exhorting the Corinthian community not to judge, going so far as to say he does not even judge himself.

Jesus also instructed his disicples to “judge not, lest you be judged.” But, how is it possible for a human being to stop drawing conclusions and reaching decisions? It seems that this teaching is unnatural, and if followed would create a person who is paralyzed and unable to function. Choosing, and making decisions is as natural to a being human as breathing. What is going on here?

It is clear from the passage that the judgment Paul is referring to is not the human capacity to reach a conclusion, but is instead more like a judgment rendered by a tribunal, or some other institution empowered by the ruling authorities to determine guilt or innocence. Jesus is referring to the same type of judgment in the Gospels. Paul is not exhorting the Corinthians to stop thinking and choosing, but is instead teaching them to not determine guilt or innocence by themselves, but instead to leave it to the Lord to decide. But, Paul leaves us another mystery when he says, “do not make any judgment before the appointed time, until the Lord comes.” Now, he seems to be switching things around to say “you can judge like a human tribunal, but you have to wait until the appointed time, when the Lord comes.” It can be very confusing.

This mystery can also be solved by looking at the rest of the passage. Paul is speaking in symbolic language, however his point is clear. The Spirit of God is to be the judge and tribunal of the individual Christian, and the larger Christian Community. However, the execution of the decision of the Spirit is left to the individual members of the community. Once the Lord comes, at the appointed time, it will be clear what needs to be done, and the individual/community can then judge rightly. In other words, the Lord will shine light on the problem, and reveal the decision that should be made. Until that happens, nothing can and should be done.

How many of us wait for the Lord to tell us what needs to be done before we choose to do something, or pass judgment? I know that I am extremely impatient as I wait for the Lord's “appointed time.” This method of judgment calls for a deep spirituality, one that surrenders completely to the Power of the Spirit within. It is something that takes practice to learn to patiently wait for the Lord. However, it is the only way to be sure that our judgments are right and just.

As Human beings, we cannot stop making decisions. To be successful in life, we must learn to allow the Spirit of God to guide us as we make judgments. As Paul Points out:

“he will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will manifest the motives of our hearts, and then everyone will receive praise from God.”

Once we learn to wait for the Lord to judge the situation, we will always judge rightly.