WATCHING A DISGRACED 81 YEAR-OLD BILL COSBY—holding his cane while handcuffed and led to prison for what may prove to be the remainder of his life—brought me absolutely no satisfaction. His crime is certainly not justifiable by any social or moral standard. The law rightly requires that he pay for what he has done. But for many of us this is a somber moment, and I think that is a good thing.

Let us recognize a day is coming when everyone of us must stand before the Judge. And many—MANY will be brought to a far worse shame. Let that sink in.

We are probably all familiar with Jesus’ warnings. Inside each and every one of us, He said, is a potential adulterer and murderer, should we let lust and anger run its course—and like Cosby, a potential rapist or sex offender lies in wait. Just take another look at America’s “sitcom dad” as he’s led off in judgement and let the humiliation sink in.

We must live the most private moments of our lives—when the door is locked and the curtains are drawn—in accordance with humility and a fear of the LORD and with a knowledge of Luke 8:17, which reads: “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.”

Solomon said it like this: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil (Ecclesiastes 12:14).”

Our Savior Jesus warned us (so that we may not remain ignorant): “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement (Matthew 12:36).”

So let us live in light of Paul’s instruction to the saints at Corinth:

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged (1 Corinthians 11:31).”

In the end, our every thought, word, and deed will be excavated. On that day, if the Savior has not already taken our place of judgement, will we be any better off than Bill Cosby?

-Noel