THE VAIN JUDGMENTS OF MEN
THE VOICE OF CHRIST
MY CHILD, trust firmly in the Lord, and do not fear the
judgment of men when conscience tells you that you are upright and
innocent. For it is good and blessed to suffer such things, and they
will not weigh heavily on the humble heart that trusts in God rather
than in itself. Many men say many things, and therefore little faith
is to be put in them.
Likewise, it is impossible to satisfy all men. Although Paul
tried to please all in the Lord, and became all things to all men, yet
he made little of their opinions. He labored abundantly for the
edification and salvation of others, as much as lay in him and as much
as he could, but he could not escape being sometimes judged and
despised by others. Therefore, he committed all to God Who knows all
things, and defended himself by his patience and humility against the
tongues of those who spoke unjustly or thought foolish things and
lies, or made accusations against him. Sometimes, indeed, he did
answer them, but only lest his silence scandalize the weak.
Who are you, then, that you should be afraid of mortal man?
Today he is here, tomorrow he is not seen. Fear God and you will not
be afraid of the terrors of men. What can anyone do to you by word or
injury? He hurts himself rather than you, and no matter who he may be
he cannot escape the judgment of God. Keep God before your eyes,
therefore, and do not quarrel with peevish words.
If it seems, then, that you are worsted and that you suffer
undeserved shame, do not repine over it and do not lessen your crown
by impatience. Look instead to heaven, to Me, Who have power to
deliver you from all disgrace and injury, and to render to everyone
according to his works. |
Against vain judgments of men
"My Son, anchor thy soul firmly upon God, and
fear not man's judgment, when conscience pronounceth thee pious and
innocent. It is good and blessed thus to suffer; nor will it be
grievous to the heart which is humble, and which trusteth in God more
than in itself. Many men have many opinions, and therefore little
trust is to be placed in them. But moreover it is impossible to
please all. Although Paul studied to please all men in the Lord, and
to become all things to all men,(1) yet nevertheless with him it was a
very small thing that he should be judged by man's judgment."(2)
2. He laboured abundantly, as much as in him lay,
for the building up and the salvation of others; but he could not
avoid being sometimes judged and despised by others. Therefore he
committed all to God, who knew all, and by patience and humility
defended himself against evil speakers, or foolish and false thinkers,
and those who accused him according to their pleasure. Nevertheless,
from time to time he replied, lest his silence should become a
stumbling-block to those who were weak.
3. "Who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of
a man that shall die? To-day he is, and to-morrow his place is not
found. Fear God and thou shalt not quail before the terrors of men.
What can any man do against thee by words or deeds? He hurteth
himself more than thee, nor shall he escape the judgment of God,
whosoever he may be. Have thou God before thine eyes, and do not
contend with fretful words. And if for the present thou seem to give
way, and to suffer confusion which thou hast not deserved, be not
angry at this, nor by impatience diminish thy reward; but rather look
up to Me in heaven, for I am able to deliver thee from all confusion
and hurt, and to render to every man according to his works." |