Marsha's Musings: Open Sin/Secret Sin &; Good Deeds/Bad Deeds (1 Timothy 5:24, 25 NASB)

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 verse is quite plain in its meaning.  We all know those whose sins are quite evident.  We see it every day in the newspaper and we see it in those who are close to us that we know well.  

Others are quite good at hiding their sins.  Sins of the heart for instance are easy to conceal.  Jealousy, lust, hatred, are all sins that one can hide until such a time as those sins turn into action.  

Since Paul is talking in the context of the church and pastoring a church, I have a feeling that he is referring to sins that church  people might commit.  Some of those he mentioned earlier in the chapter while talking about widows and elders.  He mentioned, self-indulgence, not providing for one's relatives in need, abandoning your first faith, being idle, gossips, busybodies, and withholding wages from the preacher (holding back your tithe).  Of course this is not an exhaustive list.

I think the main point being is that some are open with their sin and their sin LEADS them TO JUDGMENT. For others who are good at hiding their sin, they go on TO JUDGMENT and their SINS ARE REVEALED AT THE JUDGMENT.  The point being, all men will be judged for their sin.  But elsewhere in Scripture, we know that if we are one of God's elect, Christ was judged for our sin on the cross.

Paul also talks about good deeds and bad deeds.  Good deeds will be obvious while bad deeds, done in secret, will eventually be revealed, either here or at the judgment.  

To sum up, all will be revealed and obvious on the last day at the judgment seat of Christ.  All our hidden motives, all our secret sins, all deed, good and bad will be exposed by the Light on the last day.