the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Our Daily Homily - Volume 3
1 Corinthians 4:4—He that judgeth me is the Lord.
There are four courts of trial.
First: Man’s judgment.—It is significantly spoken of as man’s "day." Our conduct is narrowly scrutinised and weighed by many eyes which we know not of, but which are fixed on every act and word—the eyes of our neighbors, associates, fellow workpeople, servants. They are ever reasoning about us, comparing our lives with our professions, partly with the view of excusing themselves, if there is any gross inconsistency. But, after all, their verdict need not greatly move us. It is only for a day.
Second: The judgment of fellow-Christians.—We are perpetually being summoned before the court of the church circle to which we belong; not always because we are inconsistent with our professions, but whenever we overstep the pace at which the majority is slowly moving. To be too zealous, too eager, too earnest, too particular, will, in some Christian communities, expose to a great deal of adverse criticism. But we have not to look right and left to get the sentence of our fellow-believers when we are clearly prompted by the Spirit of God.
Third: The judgment of conscience.—"I judge not mine own self." We are all apt to arraign ourselves at our own bar, and pass verdicts which are altogether favorable, because we compare ourselves with characters and standards inferior to ourselves. It is a great mistake to judge yourself, for even if you score a favorable verdict—if you know nothing against yourself—it is liable to be reversed by the decisions of the Supreme Court.
Fourth: The Lord’s judgment.—The Lord will come, bringing to light the hidden things of darkness, and making manifest the counsels of the heart.
