The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 4:5

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will lighten things that are hid in darkness, and make the counsels of the hearts manifest: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Related Scripture:

Matthew 7:1, 10:26; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Romans 2:29

Brethren:

Whilst we are allowed, yea, even encouraged to discern and call out evil and sin for reproof and correction, we are to do so from the perspective of God's righteousness and His word.

Secondly, all things hidden, that we ourselves do not see within ourselves and others will in the time of judgment be revealed to us through the illumination of His word and all peoples will be held in an account of all that they have either spoken or have thought.

Henceforth, my friends, speak slowly, and wisely in all things. We must maintain ourselves in a manner in which God would approve. Not in self-righteousness, but in the righteousness of God. Be good stewards of the Word, freely offering to all, who would seek it, and hear it. Expect nothing in return from this, (this is to say from man), for it is God that will reap the harvest. Be honest in your ways and exemplify Him that has given us the wisdom from above.

The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves

by Gaspar Olevian

Edited by R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

Our w wisdom, in so far as it ought to be deemed true and solid Wisdom, consists almost entirely of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But as these are connected together by many ties, it is not easy to determine which of the two precedes and gives birth to the other. For, in the first place, no man can survey himself without forthwith turning his thoughts towards the God in whom he lives and moves; because it is perfectly obvious, that the endowments which we possess cannot possibly be from ourselves; nay, that our very being is nothing else than subsistence in God alone. [Read Matthew 4:4] In the second place, those blessings which [He] unceasingly distills to us from heaven, are like streams conducting us to the fountain. [Read John 4:14, 6:35]. Here, again, the infinitude of good which resides in God becomes more apparent from our poverty. In particular, the miserable ruin into which the revolt of the first man has plunged us, compels us to turn our eyes upwards; not only that while hungry and famishing we may thence ask what we want, but being aroused by fear may learn humility. For as there exists in man something like a world of misery, and ever since we were stript of the divine attire our naked shame discloses an immense series of disgraceful properties every man, being stung by the consciousness of his own unhappiness, in this way necessarily obtains at least some knowledge of God. Thus, our feeling of ignorance, vanity, want, weakness, in short, depravity and corruption, reminds us (Read John Calvin’s comments on John 4:10), that in the Lord, and none but He, dwell the true light of wisdom, solid virtue, exuberant goodness. We are accordingly urged by our own evil things to consider the good things of God; and, indeed, we cannot aspire to Him in earnest until we have begun to be displeased with ourselves. For what man is not disposed to rest in himself? Who, in fact, does not thus rest, so long as he is unknown to himself; that is, so long as he is contented with his own endowments, and unconscious or unmindful of his misery? Every person, therefore, on coming to the knowledge of himself, is not only urged to seek God, but is also led as by the hand to find him.

[Therefore], it is evident that man never attains to a true self-knowledge until he have previously contemplated the face of God, and come down after such contemplation to look into himself. For (such is our innate pride) we always seem to ourselves just, and upright, and wise, and holy, until we are convinced, by clear evidence, of our injustice, vileness, folly, and impurity. Convinced, however, we are not, if we look to ourselves only, and not to the Lord also, He being the only standard by the application of which this conviction can be produced. For, since we are all naturally prone to hypocrisy, any empty semblance of righteousness is quite enough to satisfy us instead of righteousness itself. And since nothing appears within us or around us that is not tainted with very great impurity, so long as we keep our mind within the confines of human pollution, anything which is in some small degree less defiled delights us as if it were most pure just as an eye, to which nothing but black had been previously presented, deems an object of a whitish, or even of a brownish hue, to be perfectly white. Nay, the bodily sense may furnish a still stronger illustration of the extent to which we are deluded in estimating the powers of the mind. If, at mid-day, we either look down to the ground, or on the surrounding objects which lie open to our view, we think ourselves endued with a very strong and piercing eyesight; but when we look up to the sun, and gaze at it unveiled, the sight which did excellently well for the earth is instantly so dazzled and confounded by the refulgence, as to oblige us to confess that our acuteness in discerning terrestrial objects is mere dimness when applied to the sun. Thus too, it happens in estimating our spiritual qualities. So long as we do not look beyond the earth, we are quite pleased with our own righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue, to which, as a standard, we are bound to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness will become polluted with the greatest iniquity; what strangely imposed upon us under the name of wisdom will disgust by its extreme folly; and what presented the appearance of virtuous energy will be condemned as the most miserable impotence. So far are those qualities in us, which seem most perfect, from corresponding to the divine purity.

Hence that dread and amazement with which as Scripture uniformly relates, holy men were struck and overwhelmed whenever they beheld the presence of God. When we see those who previously stood firm and secure so quaking with terror, that the fear of death takes hold of them, nay, they are, in a manner, swallowed up and annihilated, the inference to be drawn is that men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God. Frequent examples of this consternation occur both in the Book of Judges and the Prophetical Writings; so much so, that it was a common expression among the people of God, "We shall die, for we have seen the Lord." Hence the Book of Job, also, in humbling men under a conviction of their folly, feebleness, and pollution, always derives its chief argument from descriptions of the Divine wisdom, virtue, and purity. Nor without cause: for we see Abraham the readier to acknowledge himself but dust and ashes the nearer he approaches to behold the glory of the Lord, and Elijah unable to wait with unveiled face for His approach; so dreadful is the sight. And what can man do, man who is but rottenness and a worm, when even the Cherubim themselves must veil their faces in very terror? To this, undoubtedly, the Prophet Isaiah refers, when he says (See Isaiah 24:23), "The moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hosts shall reign;" i.e., when he shall exhibit his refulgence, and give a nearer view of it, the brightest objects will, in comparison, be covered with darkness.

Post Script

Brethren:

I am reminded here of how the face of Moses shone after the meeting with God on Mt. Sinai.

30 And Aaron and all the children of Israel looked upon Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone bright, and they were afraid to come near him.

31 But Moses called them: and Aaron and all the chief of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

32 And afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he charged them with all that the Lord had said unto him in mount Sinai.

33 So Moses made an end of communing with them, and had put a covering upon his face.

34 But, when Moses came before the Lord to speak with him, he took off the covering until he came out: then he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.35 And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, how the skin of Moses’ face shone bright: therefore Moses put the covering upon his face, until he went to speak with God.

Exodus 34:30-35

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 3:21, 23

21 Therefore let no man rejoice in men: for all things are yours.

23 And ye Christ’s, and Christ God’s.

Related Scripture

2 Corinthians 4:5; Romans 14:8; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 2 Corinthians 10:7; Galatians 3:29

“Forget that their ministers are men, or pay that deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates, and especially in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his Holy Spirit. Mankind are very apt to make the mercies of God cross their intentions. The ministry is a very useful and very gracious institution, and faithful ministers are a great blessing to any people; yet the folly and weakness of people may do much mischief by what is in itself a blessing. They may fall into factions, side with particular ministers, and set them at their head, glory in their leaders, and be carried by them they know not whither. The only way to avoid this mischief is to have a modest opinion of ourselves, a due sense of the common weakness of human understanding, and an entire deference to the wisdom of God speaking in his word.

Ministers of all ranks, ordinary and extraordinary. Nay the world itself is yours.’’ Not that saints are proprietors of the world, but it stands for their sake, they have as much of it as Infinite Wisdom sees to be fit for them, and they have all they have with the divine blessing. "Life is yours, that you may have season and opportunity to prepare for the life of heaven; and death is yours, that you may go to the possession of it. It is the kind messenger that will fetch you to your Father’s house. Things present are yours, for your support on the road; things to come are yours, to enrich and regale you for ever at your journey’s end.’’ [Make], note [thereof],If we belong to Christ, and are true to him, all good belongs to us, and is sure to us. All is ours, time and eternity, earth and heaven, life and death. We shall want no good thing, Read (Psalm 84:11) .But it must be remembered, at the same time, that we are Christ’s, the subjects of his kingdom, his property. He is Lord over us, and we must own his dominion, and cheerfully submit to his command and yield themselves to his pleasure, if we would have all things minister to our advantage. All things are ours, upon no other ground than our being Christ’s.”

Matthew Henry - Theologian

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 3:18-20

18 Let no man deceive himself: If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him be a fool, that he may be wise.

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He catcheth the wise in their own craftiness.

20 And again, The Lord knoweth that the thoughts of the wise be vain.

Related scripture:

Job 5:13; Psalm 94:11; Proverbs 3:7

Brethren:

It is folly to totally depend on the wisdom of man. God does indeed imparts to, and give us wisdom from which we can base our decisions in life. His wisdom leads us to paths of righteousness and holiness. With Him, wisdom is compassionate, loving, judicious, prudent, and sagacious.

Friends let us be led by His example, and seek to emulate Him, in all things pertaining to wisdom. Seek His counsel first, daily, in the mornings, and also at the last before retiring at night.

“In these words the Apostle does not require, that we should altogether renounce the wisdom that is implanted in us by nature, or acquired by long practice; but simply, that we subject it to the service of God, so as to have no wisdom but through his word. For this is what is meant by becoming a fool in this world, or in our own estimation; when we are prepared to give way to God, and embrace with fear and reverence everything that he teaches us, rather than follow what may appear to us plausible.” - John Calvin - Theologian

Have We Been Found Wanting?

By R.P. Woitowitz Sr.

23 But hast lifted thyself up against the Lord of heaven, and they have brought the vessels of his House before thee, and thou and thy princes, thy wives and thy concubines have drunk wine in them, and thou hast praised the gods of silver and gold, of brass, iron, wood and stone, which neither see, neither hear, nor understand: and the God in whose hand thy breath is and all thy ways, him hast thou not glorified. 24 Then was the palm of the hand sent from him, and hath written this writing. 25 And this is the writing that he hath written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL UPHARSIN. 26 This is the interpretation of the thing, MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath finished it. 27 TEKEL, thou art weighed in the balance, and art found too light. 28 PERES, thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

The Book of Daniel Chapter 5:23-28

Brethren:

The above was spoken by Daniel to Belshazzar during a feast in which the fingers of a hand appeared and wrote on the wall the following: MENE, MENE, TEKEL UPHARSIN.

A little over a year ago, this writer had posted several pleas to his countrymen to repent and return. Yet today, we're witness to so much anger, hatred, and violence in our nation. It has often been suggested by this writer that we've become a nation of "just me" type personalities. There is no love for our neighbors, and we've certainly have not demonstrated any true love and repentance towards our Creator.

Over the last few days, we've read of vast areas of forest land being devastated by fire. A major hurricane hit our nation, and it seems one more is going to make landfall in the coming week. Also, there have been reports (in my area in particular near the New Madrid Fault line) of minor earthquakes.

Friends, I am not one that would normally consider doom and gloom, but all of the above has caused me to wonder, have we been righteously judged and found wanting?

Consider then, the following Scripture.

From the Book of Lamentations by the Prophet Jeremiah

18 The Lord is righteous: for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.

20 Behold, O Lord, how I am troubled: my bowels swell: mine heart is turned within me, for I am full of heaviness: the sword spoileth abroad, as death doeth at home.

Lamentations 1:18, 20

16 The crown of our head is fallen: woe now unto us, that we have sinned.

Lamentations 5:16

Also, in the Book of Jeremiah

16 And I will declare unto them my judgments touching all the wickedness of them that have forsaken me, and have burnt incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

Jeremiah 1:16

And finally, from the Prophet Isaiah

13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the Lord of hosts.

14 Therefore will the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush in one day.

15 The ancient and the honorable man, he is the head: and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of the people cause them to err: and they that are led by them are devoured.

Isaiah 9:13-16

Honestly, I do not know, if this is our last chance or if we've passed that point, and our God has deemed us unfit to be in His service. I pray for the former and fear of the latter.

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 3:16-17

16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man destroy the Temple of God, him shall God destroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which ye are.

Related Scripture:

Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21

Brethren:

In The Gospel of John we read:

"Jesus answered, and said unto him, If any man love me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and will dwell with him."

It is, therefore, more than reasonable to put forth this proposition that along with the Father and Son, there also resides the Holy Spirit. For all three are one.

Additionally, we also read in both the Old and New Testaments that we are to be holy, for the Lord God is Holy (See Leviticus 9:2, 20:7; 1 Peter 1:16)

Henceforth friends, let us strive to be as He is, Holy

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Church at Corinth

Chapter 3:10-15

10 According to the grace of God given to me, as a skillful master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon: but let every man take heed how he buildeth upon it.

11 For other foundation can no man lay, than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 And if any man build on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, timber, hay, or stubble,

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by the fire: and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work, that he hath built upon, abide, he shall receive wages.

15 If any man’s work burn, he shall lose, but he shall be saved himself: nevertheless yet as it were by the fire.

Related Scripture:

Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24-25, 18:18; Luke 6:48; Romans 9:33; 2 Corinthians 11:4; Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4

Brethren:

What else can be said? Paul has already stated, that he preaches no other gospel but that of Christ crucified and risen from the dead to be propitiation (See 1 John 2:2) for our sins. (See 1 Corinthians 1:23). This is the foundation, that Christ is the Savior/Redeemer. On this belief, we stand solidly.

Now, as Paul has written, one may lay the foundation, and another may expand upon it. Each one shall be examined by God.

“Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom of all his labours among them—even Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone. Upon this foundation all the faithful ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides what is laid-even Jesus Christ. Note: The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the bottom, and is the foundation, of all the rest. Leave out this, and you lay waste all our comforts, and leave no foundation for our hopes as sinners. It is in Christ only that God is reconciling a sinful world to himself, (See 2 Corinthians 5:19) . But of those that hold the foundation, and embrace the general doctrine of Christ’s being the mediator between God and man, there are two sorts.

Some build upon this foundation gold, silver, and precious stones, namely, those who receive and propagate the pure truths of the gospel, who hold nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, and preach nothing else. This is building well upon a good foundation, making all of apiece, when ministers not only depend upon Christ as the great prophet of the church, and take him for their guide and infallible teacher, but receive and spread the doctrines he taught, in their purity, without any corrupt mixtures, without adding or diminishing.

Others build wood, hay, and stubble, on this foundation; that is, though they adhere to the foundation, they depart from the mind of Christ in many particulars, substitute their own fancies and inventions in the room of his doctrines and institutions, and build upon the good foundation what will not abide the test when the day of trial shall come, and the fire must make it manifest, as wood, hay, and stubble, will not bear the trial by fire, but must be consumed in it.

There is a time coming when a discovery will be made of what men have built on this foundation: Every man’s work shall be made manifest, shall be laid open to view, to his own view and that of others. Some may, in the simplicity of their hearts, build wood and stubble on the good foundation, and know not, all the while, what they have been doing; but in the day of the Lord their own conduct shall appear to them in its proper light. Every man’s work shall be made manifest to himself, and made manifest to others, both those that have been misled by him and those that have escaped his errors. Now we may be mistaken in ourselves and others; but there is a day coming that will cure all our mistakes, and show us ourselves, and show us our actions in the true light, without covering or disguise: For the day shall declare it (that is, every man’s work), because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is. The day shall declare and make it manifest, the last day, the great day of trial.

The expression carries in it a plain allusion to the refiner’s art, in which the fire separates and distinguishes the dross from the gold and silver; as it also will silver and gold and precious stones, that will endure the fire, from wood and hay and stubble, that will be consumed in it. Note, There is a day coming that will as nicely distinguish one man from another, and one man’s work from another’s, as the fire distinguishes gold from dross, or metal that will bear the fire from other materials that will be consumed in it. In that day: Some men’s works will abide the trial [and] will be found standard. It will appear that they not only held the foundation, but that they built regularly and well upon it [and] that they laid on proper materials, and in due form and order. The foundation and the superstructure were all of a piece. The foundation-truths, and those that had a manifest connection with them, were taught together. It may not be so easy to discern this connection now, nor know what works will abide the trial then; but that day will make a full discovery. And such a builder shall not, cannot fail of a reward. He will have praise and honour in that day, and eternal recompence after it. Note, Fidelity in the ministers of Christ will meet with a full and ample reward in a future life. Those who spread true and pure religion in all the branches of it, and whose work will abide in the great day, shall receive a reward. And, Lord, how great! how much exceeding their deserts!

There are others whose works shall be burnt whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and usages in the worship of God, shall be discovered, disowned, and rejected, in that day-shall be first manifested to be corrupt, and then disapproved of God and rejected. Note, The great day will pluck off all disguises, and make things appear as they are: He whose work shall be burnt will suffer loss. If he have built upon the right foundation wood and hay and stubble, he will suffer loss. His weakness and corruption will be the lessening of his glory, though he may in the general have been an honest and an upright Christian. This part of his work will be lost, turning no way to his advantage, though he himself may be saved. Observe, Those who hold the foundation of Christianity, though they build hay, wood, and stubble, upon it, may be saved. This may help to enlarge our charity. We should not reprobate men for their weakness: for nothing will damn men but wickedness. He shall be saved, yet so as by fire, saved out of the fire. He himself shall be snatched out of that flame which will consume his work. This intimates that it will be difficult for those that corrupt and deprave Christianity to be saved. God will have no mercy on their works, though he may pluck them as brands out of the burning. on must be made by suffering. Because this fire is to try every man’s works, those of Paul and Apollos, as well as those of others.”

Matthew Henry - Theologian