"But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."
1 Corinthians 4:3-5
I like this advice not to judge ourselves. I think we have to make some judgements/decisions in order to choose the right and take action in our lives, but I think that Paul (and God) are talking about bigger judgements here... giving up, condemning others, or deciding we're not worthy for instance. We truly do not know the whole story, no matter how in touch with ourselves we are, because we lack our knowledge of the pre-existence. That, along with God's far superior knowledge about everything guarantees that we know comparitively nothing by ourselves, and we should wait on the judgement of the Lord for those sweeping, permanent decisions.
I also love the fact that "every man" shall "have praise of God." ... Definitely doesn't mean that we don't have to repent, but I think it does mean that every single one of us has learned a lot, and that we've all done some good in our lives. There are things to rejoice about. :) That's a reason to hope, and also to see the good in others. It's there, whether we agree with them about politics, music, lifestyles, or sandwich toppings or not. Today, let's wait on God for judgement and praise, and meanwhile let's do good to ourselves and to others, living God's example of love, kindness, and service to others.
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