“Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring the light of the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts…” (1 Cor. 4:5).
You don’t know what to do. You have to make a decision, but you know you need more information than you have at hand. This verse assures us that, regardless of the seeming urgency of the situation, it is best to wait until we are more knowledgeable than we are at present.
The usual interpretation of this verse by most scholars is that it concerns the parousia (par-oo-see’-ah) or Second Coming, of the Lord Jesus Christ. When He returns, He will bring to light every hidden thing and rectify every injustice. “Wait until the Lord comes back to earth, and then we will see things in their true light.”
This is the meaning of the verse. However, there are other events in our lives to which this verse can be applied equally as well. Besides the great parousia at the end of the age, Jesus comes to us in many ways: in salvation, in healing, in guidance, in deliverance, from danger, crisis, and great need.
We could read this verse: “Do not take any hasty action; wait until the Lord has come onto the scene.” There are subliminal factors hidden from your view. The Lord wants to bring to the level of your sight the things you need to know in order to make the right decision.
You won’t have to wait long. When you get the facts you need, you will know what action to take. Without those facts, you could do something you might later regret. When the Lord comes, you will be more knowledgeable and you will make the decision you can live with comfortably.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.