All those who hide secrets in their heart, be prepared to be totally transparent on that appointed day.
Paul was teaching that a man shouldn’t attempt to judge another man; in fact a man should not even attempt to judge himself.
“…with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human…in fact, I do not even judge myself…He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels (motives) of the hearts…” 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
Paul is explaining that a man is totally impotent for self judgment or to judge another. Only God can search hearts and understand motives. And we’ll see that everything about a person will be brought to light ‘in that day.’
The thought that death will seal sin and secure secrets forever is Biblically foolishness.
In the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus taught that every non- constructive word one speaks will be judged.
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36
Again, those that think that death is the ultimate freedom need to reconsider their false security.
Jude, the half brother of Jesus, also addressed the issue.
“Behold, the Lord comes…to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds…and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 15-16
All ungodly deeds done by ungodly men will be judged, as will all blasphemy spoken against Christ. It is reminiscent of the mocking Ishmael did against Isaac when Isaac was weaned. Remember Paul said that such mocking existed into his day two millennia later. He further proclaimed that God’s chosen have nothing in common with the son born according to the flesh. The bond woman and her son were to be cast out.
In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul explained that those without the written law have the knowledge of the law written in their hearts by way of their conscience.
“…when Gentiles…who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them…in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ…” Romans 2:15-16
Paul explains that God’s presence and omnipotence are displayed by His creation, man’s conscience, or by the written law. In other words, man has no excuse to ‘forget’ God.
The above passage confirms that God will judge the secrets of men by His Son Jesus Christ including their thoughts as well as things presumed to remain hidden.
And then recall how Solomon summarized his wisdom in his concluding thoughts on life.
“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Therefore, total transparency awaits every man. Every thought, word, and deed, including their underlying motive, will be brought to light before the Judge Jesus Christ.
Ironically, in this present generation the United States has different levels of courts, including the Supreme Court, which is supposed to enact justice. But justice is meted out in accordance with man’s concept of right and wrong.
During the recent presidential campaign, one of the nominees was accused of mishandling confidential data. She was not indicted for the reason that the FBI could not prove intent to do harm or damage.
Such will not prevail before the righteous Judge to come who will search the hearts of all to reveal secret motives and thoughts.
Nothing will remain hidden in the Day of Judgment. That being the case, it is a mystery why such Biblical truths are not priorities. Nearly the entire presidential season excluded the one certainty; which is that all nations and individuals will be judged at the appointed day.
It appears that naiveté, indifference, or haughtiness reigns.