"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SINS AND GOOD WORKS"
1st Timothy 5:24 “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.”
1st Timothy 5:25 “Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”
(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/20/14)
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
Paul was advising young pastor Timothy about how to conduct himself in the church, and how the church was to conduct itself.
He covers the bases as it were. Dealing with very specific instruction about different a get groups, men, women, elders, compensation for leaders, along with the responsibilities of leaders.
In these two verses, Paul addresses two issues. Sins and Good works.
1. Some people's sins are very evident.
1st Timothy 5:24 “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.”
Here is how this reads in the NLT:
1st Tim 5:24 :Remember that some people lead sinful lives, and everyone knows they will be judged. But there are others whose sin will not be revealed until later.:
So, it's pretty clear that there are some people who lead sinful lives and everyone can see it, and everyone knows about it.
The other thing that is clear is that people who live sinful lives (unsaved people) will one day stand before the Lord and be judged for their sins.
Paul tells us that everyone who knows about the lives of sinful people also know that those people are headed for judgement.
This is a very sobering truth.
2. Some people's sins are not evident in this life.
1st Timothy 5:24 “Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later.”
Here is how this reads in the NLT:
1st Tim 5:24 “Remember that some people lead sinful lives, and everyone knows they will be judged. But there are others whose sin will not be revealed until later.”
This is the other side of the proverbial coin as it were.
There are some people who lead sinful lives, and are able to keep their sins hidden, at least from men around them.
God, of course, knows and can see, but we cannot.
However, Paul says that what is hidden from men will one day be revealed later on.
He is speaking of the judgement mentioned earlier.
There will be some surprises at the end.
Those who have been able to hide their sins and fool others will be seen for what they really did.
Again, how sobering.
3. Those people with good works are clearly evident.
1st Timothy 5:25 “Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”
It's hard to hide good works. They seem to show up like bright lights.
They are clearly evident to all.
Most of us know what good works others do.
It's hard to hide them.
4. Some people's good works are not so evident but will one day come to light in heaven.
1st Timothy 5:25 “Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.”
But, even though good works are hard to hide, or not be seen, there are many people who have many good works, that no one seems to know about.
And it won't be until later that their good works will be known.
Isn't that a blessing.
It's not sobering like the earlier verse, but pregnant with hope and joy.
God is going to reward His saints at what is called the Bema Seat of Christ.
Jesus will test all of our works and reward us accordingly.
What a great day to look forward to.
Some Questions:
1. Do you pay much attention to the people around you?
2. Can you see what is taking place in people's lives?
3. It's pretty easy to see much of the evil that is going on, isn't it?
4. Some of the sinful deeds are being hidden from our eyes.
5. Do you know that God wants to reward you for your good deeds?
6. Are you one of those people whose good deeds are done kind of quietly, and no one really knows about them except God?
A Prayer:
Father, You have a future ahead for all men. Some will go into the judgement of God and separated forever. They will be punished for their sins. Others will go into heaven and be rewarded by You, and enjoy Your company and the company of all the angels and all others who are saved.
We thank You for the glorious future You have given to us. And, we pray that You would make us compassionate for those around us who are at this time not headed to heaven. Might we be used by You to help them change their eternal destination. In the name of Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
