But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. - Romans 14:10
In this matter of discerning sin, hypocrisy, true faith, godliness, and spirituality in those who profess to know Christ, we are vastly handicapped; for we look only on the outward man, and our judgement is confined to what we see or hear or what others claim to have seen or heard. This is a very poor foundation for judging what Paul called “the inward man.” There were times in the lives of Moses, Abraham, and David that, if their love for the Lord were determined by sight and sound, serious doubts could be raised concerning their salvation. Thank God, the Redeemer sees not as man sees; but he looks on the heart.
It is true that some men’s sins and rebellion against the will of God are so open and evident that it is clear to all that they are not of us (1 Jn. 2:19). But the hypocrisy of some is so well hidden that we must wait for God to expose it. The same is true of most genuine and good works! We are well aware of the labor of love and works of faith of many of God’s children; but there are many, many works of love and righteousness done daily, from the heart in the name of Christ, that are so secret and unrecognized by men that they shall not be known until Christ comes.
Far better to be silent and hopeful where a brother’s relationship with Christ is concerned than to be judgmental and wrong in our appraisal and being answerable to the Master for sowing discord among the brethren.
About Henry Mahan
Henry T. Mahan was born in Birmingham, Alabama in August 1926. He joined the United States Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman on an L.S.T. in the Pacific during World War II. In 1946, he married his wife Doris, and the Lord blessed them with four children.
At the age of 21, he entered the pastoral ministry and gained broad experience as a pastor, teacher, conference speaker, and evangelist. In 1950, through the preaching of evangelist Rolfe Barnard, God was pleased to establish Henry in sovereign free grace teaching. At that time, he was serving as an assistant pastor at Pollard Baptist Church (off of Blackburn ave.) in Ashland, Kentucky.
In 1955, Thirteenth Street Baptist Church was formed in Ashland, Kentucky, and Henry was called to be its pastor. He faithfully served that congregation for more than 50 years, continuing in the same message throughout his ministry. His preaching was centered on the Lord Jesus Christ and Him crucified, in full accord with the Scriptures. He consistently proclaimed God’s sovereign purpose in salvation and the glory of Christ in redeeming sinners through His blood and righteousness.
Henry T. Mahan also traveled widely, preaching in conferences and churches across the United States and beyond. His ministry was marked by a clear and unwavering emphasis on Christ, not the preacher, but the One preached. Those who heard him recognized that his sermons honored the Savior and exalted the name of the Lord Jesus Christ above all.
Henry T. Mahan served as pastor and teacher of Thirteenth Street Baptist Church in Ashland, Kentucky for over half a century. His life and ministry were devoted to proclaiming the sovereign grace of God and directing sinners to the finished work of Christ. He entered into the presence of the Lord in 2019, leaving behind a lasting testimony to the gospel he faithfully preached.
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