Judge nothing before the appointed time.
—1 Corinthians 4:5
C.S. Lewis said there will be three surprises in heaven: who’s there, who’s not there, and that you’re there.
Jesus’ terse, “Do not judge” (Mt 7:1), finds a strong “Amen” in Paul’s charge to the Corinthians.
The church in Corinth was a miserable mess, including immorality of a nature that was appalling even to pagans (1 Cor 5:1).
Yet, Paul wrote: “Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.” He said God would expose some hidden things, but also, “At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Cor 4:5).
The implication is that the Lord may find cause for approval where humans’ flawed judgment might find cause for censure and condemnation.
Ask this question before passing judgment:
“Am I qualified?”