Judgment stands as a weighty matter of the law, emphasized by Jesus Christ as essential alongside mercy and faith. For the converted Christian, judgment is a present reality upon the house of God, involving decisions for or against, akin to a tribunal that implies justice. Justice encompasses the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of deserved punishment or reward, striving to be factual, reasonable, faithful, morally upright, good, fair, righteous, impartial, and legally correct. Christ rebuked the Pharisees for focusing solely on the legally correct aspect, neglecting fairness and impartiality, and urged a broader application in decision-making. Christ warns against condemning others, as such judgment will be returned upon us. He instructs that while we must evaluate others' deeds, we should first overcome our own weaknesses and sins to avoid hypocrisy before aiding others with their difficulties. As we judge others, so will He judge us, reflecting the principle that our attitude toward others mirrors the attitude He will take toward us. We are called to judge with righteous judgment, not by appearance, analyzing right and wrong based on the mind of God as revealed in His Word, and applying it critically in our interactions. Life demands daily judgments about people and circumstances, whether in mundane matters or significant decisions like friendships and marriages. Proper judgment is crucial to avoid grief from snap decisions or those driven by selfish desires, requiring thorough research and contemplation to ensure sound evaluations. Our purpose in life is to learn to render proper judgments of right and wrong, exercising wisdom as preparation to be leaders and teachers in God's family, managing angels and men. While God ultimately makes final judgments on all, ensuring justice over a lifetime, He ponders hearts carefully, observing individuals over time and in varied circumstances. Teachers and those in influence face sterner judgment, needing to live out what they teach to avoid hypocrisy. God desires us to judge righteous judgment, looking beyond the physical to the fruits of the Spirit, analyzing people and their actions to choose mates, friends, and ministers wisely. The Pharisees erred by abandoning God's yardstick for judgment, relying on their own traditions that transgressed His law, leading to vain worship and harsh dealings with others through carnal reasoning and situation ethics. Their partiality destroyed godly standards, allowing wickedness to reign. God calls us to use His entire Word to render justice, balancing all scriptures to make impartial and objective decisions, recognizing that judgment, as the aim of the law, is weightier because it ensures justice is done. Since we do not yet have His mind, He provides the Bible as a guide to strive toward perfection, helping us determine the proper course in every situation through its laws, principles, and circumstances.

The subject of judgment often appears complex and challenging to understand. God never intended a completely non-judgmental atmosphere when Jesus said, "Judge not that you be not judged" (Matthew 7:1). Such an extreme stance would create hazardous tolerance, where nothing is questioned or deemed wrong. Judgment, as a noun, refers to a legal decision, order, decree, or sentence given by a judge or court, carrying significant biblical applications and practical ramifications for our conduct. It also encompasses the ability to form opinions through discernment, sagacity, and good sense, often based on existing laws or principles, as seen in the case of Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27:1-11, where God's judgment became the law of the land. Judging is the process of evaluating evidence to reach an opinion or decision, an act we perform frequently in daily life, often without conscious thought. The quality of our judgments largely determines the quality of our lives, and being prepared to make sound judgments increases the likelihood of success. However, scriptures like Matthew 7:1, Romans 14:3, and James 4:11-12 warn against judging one another, highlighting a seeming dichotomy. The danger lies in the quality of our judgments and the actions we take based on them. Jesus commands us to judge with righteous judgment (John 7:24), yet many fail to do so due to wrong standards or inability to recognize true godliness. Judging remains a necessary part of life in the church, as seen in Paul's judgment of a sinning member in Corinth, where he acted decisively to protect the congregation's spiritual integrity. In the Old Testament, judges in Israel held great responsibility, often functioning like kings or governors. Jehoshaphat's reforms in Judah emphasized judging in the fear of the Lord with a perfect heart (II Chronicles 19:5-9). Revelation 5:10 and I Corinthians 6:2 affirm that saints will judge the world, indicating that Christians must prepare for such roles even now. Care in judging is crucial, as outlined in Matthew 7:1-5, which urges self-examination before criticizing others. Human limitations prevent us from knowing all facts or the whole person, making our judgments potentially flawed. Biases from personal experiences further cloud our ability to judge impartially. We must strive to judge lovingly and thoughtfully, using the standards of God's Word to ensure righteous judgment.

Eternal judgment stands as one of the foundational doctrines of the church of God, equal in importance to repentance, faith, and baptism. God decides each person's eternal reward or punishment through this process. Although many view judgment as an event reserved for the end of the age, Scripture reveals that judgment has already begun for Christians, who now undergo trials and tests to determine their faithfulness to God and His way of life. God the Father has appointed Jesus Christ as the Judge of all mankind because He alone lived a perfect human life and understands the difficulties faced in this present evil world. All humans will ultimately stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Jesus will render fair and righteous decisions, judging not by appearances or rumors but by true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom imparted through the Spirit of God. Individuals must give account for every work, including secret sins and every word spoken. The standard of judgment is the Word of God, which records His laws and the criteria of righteousness. Those given greater opportunities, intelligence, or responsibilities, including teachers of God's way, face stricter judgment according to the principle that much given requires much in return. Resurrected saints will participate in the judging process under Christ's authority, helping to judge both the world during the Millennium and the angels who rebelled with Lucifer. Millions who never had an opportunity to learn God's plan of salvation will be raised in a second resurrection to physical life after the Millennium. They will live in a peaceful world without Satan's influence and receive a period of one hundred years to learn and accept God's way. During this time the Great White Throne Judgment will take place, applying the same standard of the Word of God. Those who remain incorrigibly wicked will face a third resurrection, be cast into the lake of fire, and be completely burned up, ending their existence after rejecting the offer of salvation.