“The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.” — 1 Timothy 5:24-25 NASB
This is a two part series I want to do here. This last week, I heard this passage preached on by a good friend of mine. If he’s reading this, I’m sure he knows I’m not trying to steal his thunder. But God used his sermon to speak to me, and I want to share with you what God convicted me about.
The first part of verse 24 is quite clear. “The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment;”
We all know people whose sins everyone knows about. People that cuss like a sailor, they drink like Otis Campbell (bonus points if you get that reference), they cheat their customers and/ or employees or of a few bucks here and there. Maybe it’s known that they cheat on their spouses. We can all think of someone who fits this picture. They’re the perfect example of a Christian on Sundays, but you don’t want to meet them the rest of the week.
We know these people have their judgment coming from God one day. Unless they repent of their wrong doings, they will receive an eternal punishment from God. It’s not my place to pass judgment on them or condemn them for their habitual sins. It is my place and my job, as a fellow Christian and believer. to bring it up and try to help them understand that what they’re doing is wrong, not just before men but before God.
1 Samuel 12:1-15 tells the story of Nathan talking to King David about a huge sin David had committed, committing adultery with Bathsheba. David had the right heart and humility about him, so he confessed his sin and wrongdoings before God. Many times, we need to be Nathan, but we also need to be David and confess a sin that God and a Christian brother convicts us about.
Now, look at the second half of verse 24 in our passage. “…for others, their sins follow after.” Their sins are secret, no one knows about them. The things they do at home, in the quietness and privacy of their bedroom, behind a closed door somewhere. These sins will come out eventually, and those sins will be judged.
I’m sure David, in 1 Samuel 11-12, was convinced that his sin was secret. Chapter 11 tells us all about his sin with Bathsheba, and how he worked things out to have her husband killed so he could marry her. He had the position to do things behind the scenes and make it look like an innocent accident.
I’m sure you know the name Ravi Zacharias. He was a profoundly knowledgeable Christian preacher and apologist. God decided to take him home to heaven a few years ago, in 2020. The great reputation that this man had for over 40 years all came crumbling down about 3 months after his funeral and is still crumbling down. It has been made public that Ravi Zacharias himself was guilty of several sexual sins done in secret. His ordination as a Christian minister has been posthumously revoked, his books and publications are being removed from nearly every school and organization that used and taught from his books.
Why? Because his secret sins were made known, just as God told us it would. Even back in the old Testament, God told us clearly “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” — Numbers 32:23 NASB
Take your sins, especially your secret sins, to God and get them right with Him. While you’re still breathing, you still have a chance to make things right. You still have a chance to save your reputation as a Christian even before it goes bad. If it’s already gone bad, if your secret sins have already been made known, there is still a chance to change things around. You still have the opportunities to give your life and all your sins, secret and public, over to God.
Ravi Zacharias is dead. He cannot redeem or repair himself and his reputation. It’s shot. If you’re reading this, you’re still breathing and you can still save your reputation. Take it to God, let Him cleanse you and forgive you and change you. King David did just that. King David humbly came before God, confessed his sins, and God forgave him. As a result of David’s humility, God saved David’s reputation as “A man after God’s own heart.” Which one are you?
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