Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. I John 2:15-17 warns us, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
First, God sees all things! Only God sees all the circumstances. He sees the struggles a man has had; He sees the secrets that a man can tell to no one. Second, God knows all things! Only God knows all the motives. "Man sees the deed but God sees the intention." He who made the human heart alone knows it and can judge it. Man's judgement begins to pale in the light of God's ability to see and know all things! But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart."
Paul warns we will be judged for "deeds done in the body whether good or bad." Here we will answer for our investment of our lives. Praise God for our sure, solid, steadfast foundation provided by the grace of God in Jesus Christ! He is the "same yesterday, today and forever." However, it is left to us to build upon that foundation. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
We will be rewarded, crowned if you will, for our faithfulness and service to God. In II Timothy 4:6-8, Paul writes "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
