1 Corinthians 4:1 – So 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.
6 Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. 7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? (NLT)
In this passage Paul is wrapping up his thoughts about the manner in which the Corinthians were dividing themselves according to their preferred church leader. Paul knew that not everyone in Corinth approved of Paul, indeed, there are few churches, if any, in which every member approves of their leaders! He writes something quite interesting in verse four, but first let me ask a question. Does having a clear conscience mean that you are right? Not at all! Consider verse four: “My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.”
While Paul is writing about Church leaders, we can apply this spiritually to all Christians. We must live our lives in such a way that we have a clear conscience, but we must always be open to God’s correction. We must seek God’s direction daily, so that we will know if we need to make any corrections.
Let’s look at verse five: “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time.” Let’s put this into its proper context. Paul is addressing those who are being critical of their church leaders. Paul warns them not to judge them too quickly because – it is implied through his remarks on a clear conscience – their leaders are prayerfully leading them. This is good advice. We may not always understand the actions of our church leaders, but if they have proven to be godly in their lives, then we must not be quick to criticize. If they are godly, then they are either correct in what they are doing, or will most likely listen to God’s correction.
Today, let us pray for our church leaders. Let us pray that they would always seek to be guided by God’s Spirit, and let us not be quick to judge them.
Posted by Ramón Torres