Judging Before the Time
By W. S. CHAPMAN
PAUL admonishes Christians not to do anything which will interfere with the work of the Spirit of God, showing that in so doing they invariably yield to the influence of and cooperate with the efforts of Satan to create division, thus destroying the unity which should prevail in the church. Judging one another is especially presented as a satanic method for creating division. What makes this sin of so heinous a character, and the reason why Satan seeks so persistently to perpetuate it among Christians, is that through criticism and talebearing, reputation is undermined, personal influence for good is weakened, and efficiency as a laborer is threatened. Paul’s plea is that we should judge nothing “before the time.” 2 Cor. 4:5. Whatever may be the meaning of this expression, “before the time,” it is evident that Paul wishes to make clear the thought that a Christian cannot sit upon the judgment seat, rightfully, for any purpose until a specified date, which he terms “the time.” In this period of “the time of the end,” God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world “by that Man whom he hath ordained.” Acts 17:31. Paul declares that this judgment will follow after death: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Heb. 9:27. In this judgment we are told that every detail of men’s lives—“every work . . . with every secret thing” (Eccl. 12:14)—will be presented. Surely that leaves absolutely nothing for human beings to judge beforehand, or to condemn in this life. It shows further that God, “the Judge of all the earth,” through his Son, will alone have the right to judge humanity. God will, at the appointed time, do the judging, because he alone has the power to execute the judgment written. This being so, when an individual mounts the judgment seat he assumes the prerogative of God, and, like the man of sin, who, “as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God,” usurps the authority of Jehovah. The day will come when the people of God will have a part in this judgment scene. The saints will sit with Christ, judging the wicked dead; the wicked will stand before the bar of God to hear the sentence of the Judge and to receive the punishment decreed. It is optional with all whether the deeds done in the body shall go beforehand to the investigative judgment, pardon and eternal life taking the place of condemnation, or whether they shall appear for settlement in the court of death. To the Christian, as an individual, condemnation of another is forbidden. The commission is, “Ye which are spiritual, restore” (not condemn) such a one. “He [God] wounds only that he may heal, not cause to perish. The Lord lays upon no man a message that will discourage and dishearten the church. He reproves, he rebukes, he chastens; but it is only that he may restore and approve at last.”—Review and Herald, Oct. 17, 1893. Any statement which affects the character of another, or his standing before the people is libel, even though it contains that which is true; for there can be but one object in repeating a libelous assertion—to injure the one thus spoken of. The element of malice makes the statement libelous. No Christian, whose daily walk is with Christ, will ever desire to repeat a story against another. If such a desire enters the heart, it is positive proof that the talebearer has become separated from Christ, and that for the time being at least Satan controls. If you know of a brother or sister who has fallen from grace, should you mention it?—It would be a grievous wrong to do so. Not a word should be spoken to others concerning the matter. When the fall becomes known to us, we should go before the Lord with fasting and with prayer, confessing our sins and receiving pardon and grace to act as his messenger; then, endued with power from on high, seek the sinner, and by gentle, Christlike ways win him back to peace and safety, through confessing and putting away sin. If successful, a soul will have been saved. Failing, however, the matter is to come before the church, through the elder, for action. Then, and only then, can Christians as a church, not as individuals, pronounce sentence of excommunication. Having acted in harmony with divine instruction, their action has been influenced by the Spirit of God, and so is ratified and recorded in heaven. Suppose that we are attacked, what is the proper course to pursue? The instruction seems to be that we are not to do or say aught that will discourage the church or individuals. We are always to be our “brother’s keeper.” We are to go humbly and confidently before God in behalf of the offending ones, pleading for their conversion and pardon, and for power for ourselves so to live that our lives shall be a light and an uplifting force before our associates. Should no defense be attempted? The better way is to “let time vindicate you; silence is a thousand times better than explanations. Explanations do not explain. Let your life be its own excuse for being; cease all explanations and all apologies, and just live your life.”