The subject of judging often presents challenges in understanding. God never intended a completely non-judgmental atmosphere when Jesus said, "Judge not that you be not judged." Judging involves the act of seeing, hearing, reading, sifting, calculating, reckoning, comparing, and evaluating evidence to reach an opinion or decision. It is a frequent and necessary process in life, influencing the quality of our choices and actions. The quality of life largely depends upon the quality of our judgments, and being well-prepared to make sound judgments increases the likelihood of success. Judgment, as a noun, refers to a legal decision, order, decree, or sentence, and also encompasses the ability to form opinions through discernment and good sense. In biblical contexts, such as the case of Zelophehad's daughters in Numbers 27:1-11, judgments were made based on existing principles when no specific law applied. God's judgment in that instance became the law of the land, establishing a precedent for future cases through wise comparison and decree. The danger in judging lies in the quality of our judgments and the actions taken based on them. Jesus commands us to judge with righteous judgment, as seen in John 7:24. Misguided judgments, like those of the Jews who wrongly assessed Jesus, often stem from using incorrect standards. Carnality can distort our ability to recognize godly qualities or understand others' conduct, making sound judgment difficult. Yet, judging remains necessary, as exemplified by Paul's judgment of a sinning member in the Corinthian congregation, where he acted to protect the spiritual and moral integrity of the group. Scriptures such as Matthew 7:1, Romans 14:3, and James 4:11-12 warn against judging one another, highlighting the need for care. We must examine ourselves against Christ's standard before criticizing others, recognizing that human understanding is limited. We can never know all the facts or the whole person, and our biases often color our judgments. Only God possesses the complete oversight, insight, wisdom, and love to judge fairly. Therefore, while we must judge, it should be done lovingly, thoughtfully, and considerately, using the standards of God's Word to ensure righteous judgment.

Eternal judgment is a fundamental doctrine, equal in importance to repentance, faith, and baptism. God, as the great Judge of all the universe, decides a person's reward or punishment for all eternity. Judgment is a process, and God is currently putting Christians through trials and tests to assess their faithfulness to Him and His way of life. God the Father has appointed Jesus Christ to judge humanity. Only He has lived a perfect life and understands the difficulties His people face in this present, evil world, making Him eminently qualified as the Judge of all mankind. All humans will ultimately stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and His judgment will be fair and righteous, based on true knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, not on appearances or rumors. Individuals will be judged on all their works, including secret sins and even the words they have spoken. The standard for judgment is God's Word, the Bible, which contains His laws as the measure of righteousness. God's judgment is perfectly fair, with greater responsibility placed on those given more opportunities, intelligence, or abilities. Teachers of God's way will be held to a higher standard. Under the guidance and authority of Jesus Christ, the resurrected saints will participate in judging the world and the angels who rebelled under lucifer. Those who never had the opportunity to learn God's way will be resurrected to physical life after the Millennium, living in a peaceful, prosperous world free from satan's influence, with a hundred years to learn and accept God's way. During this period, the Great White Throne Judgment will occur, and they will be judged by the same standard—God's Word. A third resurrection will include the incorrigibly wicked, those unwilling to live by God's laws and refusing to repent. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire, completely burned up, and unable to be resurrected again, having rejected God's offer of salvation and eternal life.

God has promised an incredible future where we will reign on the earth as kings and priests, holding both civil and religious authority. A significant responsibility in these roles is judging, a duty shared by both kings and priests. As seen with Solomon in I Kings 3:5-14, a king must possess an understanding heart to judge rightly, a quality that pleased God and is tied to keeping His ways and commandments. Without a solid foundation in God's law, one cannot be a good judge. Deuteronomy 17:18-19 further commands kings to uphold this responsibility. Similarly, priests in the Millennium, as described in Ezekiel 44:15, are tasked with judging, using God's laws, statutes, and commandments in their duties. They must adhere to these principles to fulfill their role effectively. In I Corinthians 6:1-5, it is clear that the saints are given the great responsibility to judge the world and even angels in the Kingdom. However, the ability to judge small matters now is essential preparation for the greater judgments to come. Judging requires a deep knowledge of God's law, statutes, and judgments. Applying the principles found in God's Word to resolve complex issues is crucial training for the future role of making righteous decisions. For instance, in considering legal matters like covenants, as shown in I Samuel 21, God views contracts as binding, even over centuries, and holds people accountable for breaking them, demonstrating the eternal weight of such judgments under His law. Learning and applying these principles now prepares us to administer justice in righteousness when we serve in God's Kingdom.