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No.5.
Chastening now, instead of condemnation then.
pp. 68 - 70
The first reaction to the conclusion arrived at after considering the fact that the Lord's
judgment is based upon what we `would have done--if', or upon the intention of the
heart rather than the external achievement, is to decline all attempts at forecasting the
conclusion of that tribunal. This of itself is justified by the express statement of Paul, as
we shall see, but left unguarded by other equally expressed statements. Such an attitude
may indicate mere `drift' and be neither the outcome of faith nor reason. First, the
character of the assize is such as to render unfruitful all attempts at anticipating the result
of that day.
"It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Cor. 4: 2).
The word `found' is often used in a judicial sense. "I find no fault in Him"
(John 19: 6). "Finding nothing how they might punish them" (Acts 4: 21). "And be
found in Him" (Phil. 3: 9). "That he may find mercy" (II Tim. 1: 18). "Be found of
Him in peace" (II Pet. 3: 14). The Apostle passes from the prospect of the `finding' of
that day, to the finding both of "man's day" (I Cor. 4: 3 margin), or of his own self,
saying:
"I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth
(margin examineth) me is the Lord. Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the
Lord come, Who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make
manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall each man have his praise from God"
(I Cor. 4: 4, 5 R.V.).
It would be an unscriptural conclusion to regard all judgment, either of self or of
others, as set aside by the Apostle's words in I Cor. 4:, for in the same epistle he wrote:
"If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged,
we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world"
(I Cor. 11: 31, 32).
Here the Apostle urges the believer `to judge' himself, and uses the word diakrino
`discern', a word already found in the context (I Cor. 11: 29). The alternatives are being
chastened now, or condemned then. The Corinthians were actually at the time suffering
the consequences of their attitude to the Lord's supper.
"Not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among
you, and many sleep" (I Cor. 11: 29, 30).
This was the chastening the believer was receiving in this life, in contrast with the
condemnation which the world would receive in the future day. Chastening as Heb. 12:
teaches is the action of a Father, and presupposes that the one chastened is a son.