Misjudgment and grace

Think of us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive commendation from God. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NRSV)

I have a very good friend who holds a master’s degree in public relations, and has worked for many years in grant writing and organizational development positions. Working with people, organizations, and their money requires very good communication skills, a sense of integrity, and stewardship.

My friend’s organization had somehow misplaced a check from a personal donor, and after investigation, it seemed that the check was probably destroyed before it was cashed. My friend, who has a beautiful voice—sweet and lyrical—personally went to speak with the donor to find out how the donor wished to handle this mishap.

The donor perceived my friend’s beautiful sweet voice as a manipulative technique.  The donor called the my friend's organization and claimed that my friend used her sweet voice to accuse the donor (of what, my friend does not know). I do know this: my friend’s greatest strengths are her personal communication skills, and her trustworthy, truthful character. The donor misjudged my friend completely.

The scripture passage above points to God’s grace in judgment. God will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and He will look at us through the blood of Christ. Paul says that we should not even judge ourselves. We can try to do the right thing, but we are not acquitted by our works. We are acquitted by grace. I admire my friend’s trustworthy character, but I am glad that she will not be judged by it. I am so glad that she will be judged by grace.