Stop judging, in order that you are not judged. For by which judgment you judge, you will be judged. And by which measure you measure, it will be measured you (Matthew 7:1).
Within Christ’s kingdom, also referred to as the kingdom of the heavens, righteousness prevails. Thus, in the Millennial kingdom, individuals who engage in lawlessness or cause scandal will be judged and cast into Gehenna (Matthew 13:41–42). Consequently, anyone brought before a judge will be required to repay their debt in full, without mercy (Matthew 5:25–26). Because righteousness prevails, the Jews are instructed not to oppose those who are malignantly evil, as such individuals will be swiftly judged for their actions (Matthew 5:39). If, in resisting evil, a person responds sinfully or scandalously, they will also face judgment for their conduct. Furthermore, those who judge others will be judged by the same standards they apply. Therefore, refraining from judgment is preferable.
This principle establishes the standard by which individuals are measured in the Millennial Kingdom. If someone manipulates the standard, such as by placing a finger on the scale, the same manipulation will be applied to them in return. Unrighteousness—including trespasses, sins, transgressions, ungodliness, and wrongdoing—will not be tolerated in Christ’s kingdom.
According to this standard, individuals must ensure they do not possess significant faults themselves while judging others for minor shortcomings. Such behavior is considered hypocritical (Matthew 7:3–5).
Judging refers to the act of separating, distinguishing, or dividing. Since Christians possess all things necessary for life and godliness in Christ, they are expected to judge matters among fellow believers in a righteous manner (2 Peter 1:3–4). In 1 Corinthians 5:3, Paul judges a member of the Church who is committing a sin so egregious that even Gentiles would not approve (1 Corinthians 5:1). Such an individual is to be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. A Christian whose sinful actions negatively affect other believers is to be removed from the assembly (1 Corinthians 5:4). If anyone claiming to be a Christian does not obey apostolic teachings, the Church is instructed to separate from that person (2 Thessalonians 5:14–15). Those who promote false teachings and cause division are not to be associated with (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10–11). Regarding disputes in this life, it is considered shameful for a believer to seek judgment from secular courts (1 Corinthians 6:3–5). Ultimately, the saints of the Church are designated to judge the world; therefore, they are to resolve matters among themselves in a righteous manner (1 Corinthians 6:2).
Because Christians are placed as sons in Christ, when they are judged, the Lord child-trains them (1 Corinthians 11:32). The Lord child-trains and scourges those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6–11). Individuals who fail to discern the body of Christ bring judgment upon themselves. Since the believer in Christ is child-trained when he is judged, God may bring sickness, physical disability, or even death upon those who do not treat others as equals within the Church and continue a lifestyle of sin (1 Corinthians 11:29–30). Therefore, Christians are instructed to evaluate their own actions to avoid judgment (1 Corinthians 11:31).
Regarding individuals outside the Church, Christians are instructed to leave judgment to God (1 Corinthians 5:13). Therefore, it is inappropriate for Christians to declare that someone will go to hell due to their sinful lifestyle. Christians have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation, not judgment (2 Corinthians 5:18). God’s kindness, rather than judgment or condemnation, leads individuals to a change of mind concerning the truth of the Gospel for salvation (Romans 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
An essential aspect of mutual love, which is commanded among Christians, is the willingness to address a fellow believer’s wrongdoing. The intended outcome is restoration rather than judgment. However, when judgment is necessary, it must be administered righteously. Believers are admonished not to consider themselves wise by their own standards, but to regard others as superior to themselves (Romans 12:16). When this attitude is adopted, judgment will be both appropriate and righteous.
